youen
Well-Known Member
How sails a Moody S 31(1997),how is she built,how goes she upwind?How much are you ready to pay she has original sails ?Is there a lot of difference with Moody mk 2?Thanks
Moody S 31
- Thread starter youen
- Start date
JimC
Well-Known Member
I was interested in buying a Moody S31 a few years ago and I obtained all the test reports from the magazines and studied them. They were generally favourable, the boat is sleeker and livelier than the older boats like the 31 and 31 Mk2. One reviewer called her "the most un-Moody Moody. The only negative comment I can remember was that she quickly developed strong weather helm if allowed to heel too far - which applies to many boats. In the event I bought a Hunter Channel 31 but would have seriously considered an S31 if one had come along. can't advise about price.
AIDY
Well-Known Member
Bought one new in 1996 fin keel with standard rig not the fractional... fantastic boat build quality was good. No real problems. Had it for five years and bought an s38, raced both boats and did well. Mk 2 s31 had wheel steering. Lost a bit of headroom in the aft cabin.
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theoldsalt
Well-Known Member
youen,
The best advise may come from the many S31 member owners in the Moody Owners Association.
I suggest registering, it's free for temporary membership for people thinking of buying a Moody.
http://moodyowners.info/forums/thinking-of-buying-a-moody-post-your-question-here/
The best advise may come from the many S31 member owners in the Moody Owners Association.
I suggest registering, it's free for temporary membership for people thinking of buying a Moody.
http://moodyowners.info/forums/thinking-of-buying-a-moody-post-your-question-here/
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JimC
Well-Known Member
This is very good advice, but do bear in mind that some boat owners are very eloquent in praise of the types of boat they happen to own. (not on this forum of course where we all give totally unbiased advice free from any trace of brand loyalty!)
Quandary
Well-Known Member
I have had one for all of three months, so my comments are based on that, she was selected as one of the better tiller steered boats available, I tried to buy one with a fractional rig but they are like hens teeth, and the difference is small, about 15/16th. For some reason despite a heavily supported masthead rig, ours has a 24/1 cascade on the backstay. I think there is a bilge keel version? but ours is a 1.6m deep fin.
She sails well for such a short fat wee tub, I have done a couple of longish legs which she handled well Bangor to Ardrishaig in under 14 hours and last week Gairloch to Tobermory in 15 though a lot of that was motoring on a horrible day. She probably is about 15-20% slower than our Finngulf 33. The biggest drawback is the main traveller on the coachroof and the mainsheet through a clutch on the cabin top, but for cruising you just be patient and accept that the gust will have gone before you can respond to it. Ours has six winches but only two are self tailers, so hoisting the main is tedious.
The boat is well put together and shows the advantage of a designer and builder that worked together, very durable finishes, 20 year old joinery looks like new, plenty of water storage but in order to get a spacious feel interior stowage is limited. Big anchor locker with shelf to take a windlass inside it. Enormous aft cabin berth but tucked behind the heads compartment. She would be crowded if all 6 berths were in use but so would any 31 footer. The engine is the VP 2020 with saildrive well installed with good access, quiet and frugal but the VP 2 blade folder is no match for a modern three blade. The boat manouvres very well and can be berthed and turned in very tight spaces though almost impossible to go to starboard when reversing.
My shortlist was Elan 31, Jeanneau32, Benny 31, I believe I made the right choice.
Particular likes- responsive direct handling when tiller steered, easy access to and from dinghy with fold down transom step, plenty of windows and hatches, good ventilation, top quality teak joinery,I also like the chubby look and it gives a big cockpit space.
Dislikes - steep companion way, ( the dog hates this too) no spring cleats or slots in toe rail, high coachroof and freeboard, limited galley.
The prices tend to be high as the deck gear joinery etc. is much better than you get on that size of boat nowadays and there is a strong demand, most good ones are asking close to £40k but there are a couple of well used ones on the market for a good deal less.
Any specific queries, send me a PM.
She sails well for such a short fat wee tub, I have done a couple of longish legs which she handled well Bangor to Ardrishaig in under 14 hours and last week Gairloch to Tobermory in 15 though a lot of that was motoring on a horrible day. She probably is about 15-20% slower than our Finngulf 33. The biggest drawback is the main traveller on the coachroof and the mainsheet through a clutch on the cabin top, but for cruising you just be patient and accept that the gust will have gone before you can respond to it. Ours has six winches but only two are self tailers, so hoisting the main is tedious.
The boat is well put together and shows the advantage of a designer and builder that worked together, very durable finishes, 20 year old joinery looks like new, plenty of water storage but in order to get a spacious feel interior stowage is limited. Big anchor locker with shelf to take a windlass inside it. Enormous aft cabin berth but tucked behind the heads compartment. She would be crowded if all 6 berths were in use but so would any 31 footer. The engine is the VP 2020 with saildrive well installed with good access, quiet and frugal but the VP 2 blade folder is no match for a modern three blade. The boat manouvres very well and can be berthed and turned in very tight spaces though almost impossible to go to starboard when reversing.
My shortlist was Elan 31, Jeanneau32, Benny 31, I believe I made the right choice.
Particular likes- responsive direct handling when tiller steered, easy access to and from dinghy with fold down transom step, plenty of windows and hatches, good ventilation, top quality teak joinery,I also like the chubby look and it gives a big cockpit space.
Dislikes - steep companion way, ( the dog hates this too) no spring cleats or slots in toe rail, high coachroof and freeboard, limited galley.
The prices tend to be high as the deck gear joinery etc. is much better than you get on that size of boat nowadays and there is a strong demand, most good ones are asking close to £40k but there are a couple of well used ones on the market for a good deal less.
Any specific queries, send me a PM.
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Cantata
Well-Known Member
I had one for 12 years, a bilge keeler. A great sailing boat, suited us as a couple very well indeed, plus two grandchildren occasionally. All that Quandary says, plus mine had spring cleats - they're easy enough to add.
Tremendous tech support if you buy one and join the MOA for all of £20 a year.
Tremendous tech support if you buy one and join the MOA for all of £20 a year.
richardbrennan
Well-Known Member
I would look at a Westerly Ocean 33 as well if it's not too big. Much more like a Moody, with the same active owners club, than the continental boats mentioned by Quandary.
I have one, so must admit to being biased!
I have one, so must admit to being biased!
Quandary
Well-Known Member
I did have a Westerly on my shortlist but most seemed to have rather overdetailed Ken Freivokh{(?) joinery, I think it had been an optional extra but one which I just could not bring myself to like.
Having said that, many S31s, including ours, have patterned upholstery in really weird colour combinations, the vendor said 'You will grow to like it, we did' perhaps not yet but we are noticing it less and less.
Having said that, many S31s, including ours, have patterned upholstery in really weird colour combinations, the vendor said 'You will grow to like it, we did' perhaps not yet but we are noticing it less and less.
BobnLesley
Well-Known Member
My only experience is in chartering one for a week, it sailed/motored/manouvred well enough, but I recall that I couldn't get comfortable in any of its bunks; I'm not that tall, but found both bow and stern cabins too short with two in them.
Cantata
Well-Known Member
Well, I'm 6'1", I never used the forepeak but the aft cabin bunk was plenty long enough for me, so I don't know what was happening there.
AIDY
Well-Known Member
I sampled the sofa bunks once while entertaining quests inboard and they were uncomfortable. But I guess all boats are like this. The fore and aft berths are great.
