Moody owners

[GTom]

First I've heard about a weak skeg, not something which crops up on the MOA forum.

Why do most people assume there's going to be an horrific refit bill? Most 40 year old boats have already had lots of bits replaced and maybe engine replaced. Obviously there are some real dogs out there and also some excellent examples but people expect those to sell for the same price as the cheapest one advertised.

There was a lawsuit won against Moody and Lloyds - I can't find the case but AFAIK a 39 lost its rudder in the Indian ocean. Besides true, I hear much more Bene & Co are lost due to rudder failures. Anyway if I decide to go with the 39, I'll give it some research if the rudder setup could be strengthened.

As for refit: "horrific" is very subjective. Of course if you compare a purchase price of a brand new plastic fantastic, no refit is horrific... Though people looking to buy in the 40-50k€ range, an additional 25k€ on a new engine + new set of sails + new paint + new electronics may sound quite horrific...

 

[AndrewB]

There is a section of the forum specifically for questions pre-purchase.

There is, but start getting technical or worse, potentially critical, and the web manager will delete. They only want the 'right' sort of question.

 

[GTom]

There is, but start getting technical or worse, potentially critical, and the web manager will delete. They only want the 'right' sort of question.

LoL, not much use then... Pity, because real owners are the best source of information.

 

[Tranona]

There was a lawsuit won against Moody and Lloyds - I can't find the case but AFAIK a 39 lost its rudder in the Indian ocean. Besides true, I hear much more Bene & Co are lost due to rudder failures. Anyway if I decide to go with the 39, I'll give it some research if the rudder setup could be strengthened.

As for refit: "horrific" is very subjective. Of course if you compare a purchase price of a brand new plastic fantastic, no refit is horrific... Though people looking to buy in the 40-50k€ range, an additional 25k€ on a new engine + new set of sails + new paint + new electronics may sound quite horrific...

Assume you are talking about a Primrose designed 39, in which case you are correct. The skeg was weak, as was the keel mounting. Very different boat from the later Dixon designed boats which in general dealt with the weaknesses of the originals. These boats have "aged" more than later ones, not just because they are older but were less well built in the first place. Hence the lower price commanded in the market. However, some were refitted and upgraded in their earlier years and can be good buys, especially if it is space you are looking for.

 

[MoodySabre]

The MOA Technical library deals with the 1990s 40 and the 42 as virtually the same. The 40 was extended by 2 feet to provide a larger stern locker and a bit more room in the aft cabin. Some 42s had an extended mast.

 

[ithet]

I started to look at Moody 39-s from the late '70s, really like the design, two concerns though: light wind performance (SADR=13.7) ...

You have to remember that these ratios are based on 100% fore-triangle. This age of yacht were designed for large overlap Genoas and nowadays would carry a furler of say 135%+ , so in practice the ratio becomes much higher. I think sometimes the SA/D given even uses the 'working' sail area as quoted by the manufacturer when they originally supplied a small hanked on jib as standard. By contrast a recent yacht would have a foresail much nearer the 100% figure, so the SA/D is nearer the normal cruising spec.

 

[GTom]

Assume you are talking about a Primrose designed 39, in which case you are correct. The skeg was weak, as was the keel mounting. Very different boat from the later Dixon designed boats which in general dealt with the weaknesses of the originals. These boats have "aged" more than later ones, not just because they are older but were less well built in the first place. Hence the lower price commanded in the market. However, some were refitted and upgraded in their earlier years and can be good buys, especially if it is space you are looking for.

Yes, I was eyeing the '70s Primrose design. Haven't heard about the keel issue, that would be more serious. I tend to go back checking the steel boat camp...

Don't the Dixon models come with cored hulls? If yes than they're not for me...

Space is important but stability and reliability comes first. On my actual shortlist there is a steel boat, a Rival 41 (or 38) and a few Moody 39 offers. Both the steel and the Rival offers less space at higher costs. No "free" lunch I see

 

[Marmalade]

There is, but start getting technical or worse, potentially critical, and the web manager will delete. They only want the 'right' sort of question.

I'm not aware of any draconian censorship (I'm a Moody owner who uses the website). The pre-purchase questions section is kept separate because the site is funded by members and many people join and pay their subs solely for the information therein... I suppose that anyone using that section to hold a conversation rather than simply seek facts / opinions may encounter resistance from the mods if the content of their posts is argumentative...
(have to say I'm speaking hypothetically as I'm not aware of it happening although your post suggests otherwise...)

 

[ithet]

I'm not aware of any draconian censorship (I'm a Moody owner who uses the website). The pre-purchase questions section is kept separate because the site is funded by members and many people join and pay their subs solely for the information therein... I suppose that anyone using that section to hold a conversation rather than simply seek facts / opinions may encounter resistance from the mods if the content of their posts is argumentative...
(have to say I'm speaking hypothetically as I'm not aware of it happening although your post suggests otherwise...)

Also, any potential owner is free to join and can then have the full info site at their disposal, as I did when looking for a Moody.

 

[Cantata]

LoL, not much use then... Pity, because real owners are the best source of information.

Go on, post your question there, you will get helpful advice from real owners for sure.

 

[DuncanHall]

The MOA Technical library deals with the 1990s 40 and the 42 as virtually the same. The 40 was extended by 2 feet to provide a larger stern locker and a bit more room in the aft cabin. Some 42s had an extended mast.

I have a 42 and before purchase earlier this year spent a lot of time looking at many 40s as well. The 42 is virtually identical to the later 40 (Mk 2) except for the additional length which results in a useful aft deck large enough to put an inflated dinghy or to sunbathe

The internal layout of the mk 2 40s is in my view superior to the mk 1 as it gives a much better main heads.

Most that I saw needed considerable expenditure to get them in good condition.

With new sails it points well and remains very stable.

 

[Tranona]

Yes, I was eyeing the '70s Primrose design. Haven't heard about the keel issue, that would be more serious. I tend to go back checking the steel boat camp...

Don't the Dixon models come with cored hulls? If yes than they're not for me...

Space is important but stability and reliability comes first. On my actual shortlist there is a steel boat, a Rival 41 (or 38) and a few Moody 39 offers. Both the steel and the Rival offers less space at higher costs. No "free" lunch I see

The keel as in the related 33 and 36 is rather narrow on the base and (according to the owner I talked to) tends to flex a bit, but i guess if it is still firmly attached after 40 years probably not something to worry about.

Can't make the choice for you, but a steel boat of that age/price would definitely not be on my short list unless I wanted to spend most of my time fixing it! The Rivals and the Moody are very different styles of boat. One being the swansong of the old order and the other being the blueprint for the new.

 

[GrahamM376]

I tend to go back checking the steel boat camp...

Don't the Dixon models come with cored hulls? If yes than they're not for me...
(

I wouldn't consider an old steel boat.

Can't speak for all models of Dixon boats but 346 & 376 are not cored hulls and, at your budget, you could maybe pick a decent 376 up.

 

[sailaboutvic]

If your looking for a good steel boat I can put you on to one which last year was shot blasted the bottom jus to make sure all is well and the top side where all repaint , look very pretty and been kept on very good order by its owner , not me by the way .
As far as Moody goes I have a 42 , I had Moody for over 25 years and been very happy with everyone I had , I would only say if you looking for a fast boat in light winds maybe Moody isn't for you although the 336 I had sailed very well in all winds .