Moody S31 or Beneteau First 325

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dave_morris

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I am looking at buying either a Beneteau First 325 or a Moody S31 from the late 80s.I have sailed with a friend on his S31 and I'm quite impressed by it's handling and accommodation. I haven't sailed the Beneteau, but the accommodation looks ok though not quite as roomy as the S31.

I would welcome views on the sailing/handling of the Beneteau, particularly ease of sailing short handed, the Moody I feel confident handling. They would appear similar in the sail plan/rig setup, however anyone experience of them would help.

Thanks!
 
I've had a bilge-keel S31 for about 8 years now, I haven't seen another similar-sized boat that I'd rather have. Even in two-keel format they sail extremely well. There were some with fractional rig and taller mast, but most are masthead rig. Some had wheel steering, most are tiller. As Whitelighter says, a completely different boat to the 31, different hull, interior, engine (saildrive), rig.
About 150 of them built between 1994 and 1998, the last 'small' boat that Moodys produced.
PM me if you'd like to know any more.
 
thanks, I was not clear with the date, the S31 is a 1998 model, but ex charter so well used, the First 325 is older from 1987. should have been clearer.
 
dave_morris said:
thanks, I was not clear with the date, the S31 is a 1998 model, but ex charter so well used, the First 325 is older from 1987. should have been clearer.
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Hmmm. Is it a Moody S31 or a Moody Excel S31. The latter (only a few) were built by Prouts, not by Marine Projects, and I think were all sold for Greek flotillas.
 
is there an issue with the Excel S31s, were they made to a lower spec? I know nothing of Prouts. The one I am considering is indeed in the Ionian where I assume it has been since new. How does one identify an Excel model?
 
I have one of the later Marine Projects S31's launched March 1998.
- Should have "MP" in the HIN number
- The yard number (eg E123) is molded into the rudder (might be lost under the antifouling)
- Yard number also molded the shower tray rim (lift the circular panel out)

S31's first came to my attention on a Flotilla holiday in the Ionion. A Nelson S31 absolutely slaughtered our Sunsail Oceanis 321 upwind!

As suggested above, I think there is a good chance that it is an ex Nelson S31 Excel.

PS: I understand the Dufour 30's in the Sunsail Day Yacht fleet will be on the market at a very attractive price soon. We sailed a couple of them last month and found them to be pretty good by day yacht standards!
 
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>I know nothing of Prouts.

Based in Leigh-on-sea, Essex they make high quality, strongly built catamarans. You see many of them in exotic places. The same quality build as Moody so nothing to worry about.
 
Thanks all very helpful comments, my experience of an S31, even though twin bilge keeled, was good upwind performance.

I'm still keen to hear from anyone who has sailed an S31 and a benny First 325.
 
dave_morris said:
is there an issue with the Excel S31s, were they made to a lower spec? I know nothing of Prouts. The one I am considering is indeed in the Ionian where I assume it has been since new. How does one identify an Excel model?
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If it's an Excel, it should be called that in the description so you should ask. There is a general 'understanding' that Excels fetch slightly less on the s/hand market but that may be because of the charter connection rather than the fact they were built by Prout.
Sorry but I don't know what any differences might be in the boats themselves.
Prouts were on Canvey, but long gone now. Excels came about because Marine Projects in Plymouth wound up their relationship with Moodys, and the S31 moulds were moved to Canvey in a new partnership between Moody and Prout. It only lasted a year or two as I understand it.
 
Yes, it was a last ditch effort by Moodys to keep in the "small" boat market. The S31 went there and as said several were built for the charter market. The other boat was the Excel 34 which never really caught on as small centre cockpit boats were losing popularity and it was too high priced for the spec/quality.
 
Oh dear, you've asked for comments about a Moody & a Bene......and had unanimous approval so far for the Moody -how suprising :D There seems to be a widespread anti-Bene/Jenn feeling on here.

The Bene First range is good, I'm on my second so maybe a bit biased. Friend has First 325. Nice boat, sails well, fast, still wins round the cans in the club, done many N Sea crossings etc..

I know which I'd pick......
 
Thanks BAtoo, LOL, I hope a few more Benny owner throw in their opinions, the S31 is a good boat which I've enjoyed sailing on.
Can you tell me any shortcomings if any, of the First 325 that you are aware of?

I hope I can find someone with a First325 to try one out, unfortunately the one I am considering is ashore. Is your friend on scuttle bucket, perhaps he can throw in his two-pence worth?
cheers!
 
Hi Magaz,
Now that's an interesting twist. I hadn't considered an fulmar, but is probably well worth a look. I haven't sailed on one, but my current boat is a Centaur which has served well, so I familiar with Westerly and some of their foibles. I've squeezed every ounce of performance out of mine but I realise I just need to move on up to a better performing boat. The Fulmar seems to break the Westerly mould a bit, though the inside looks pretty true to Westerly style. How would you rate the sailing abilities. The frac rig looks the part.
 
dave_morris said:
Thanks BAtoo, LOL, I hope a few more Benny owner throw in their opinions, the S31 is a good boat which I've enjoyed sailing on.
Can you tell me any shortcomings if any, of the First 325 that you are aware of?

I hope I can find someone with a First325 to try one out, unfortunately the one I am considering is ashore. Is your friend on scuttle bucket, perhaps he can throw in his two-pence worth?
cheers!
Click to expand...

Friend does not visit here as far as I know...

I dont think there are too many problems with it. It has the standard single aft cabin arrangement, Volvo 2002 engine, fractional rig, tiller steered etc.. It has good room in the main cabin with adequate headroom (I'm 6ft and not felt cramped in it). Reasonable sized cockpit too.
It sails well & all the winches etc seem to be in the right place.
When I changed from a 38ft bene to something smaller it was definitely on my list but couldn't find one so got a First 310.

One down side to the Bene's is some of their standard gear is Amiot and its a bit basic/agricultural.. On both boats I swapped the traveller for a Lewmar so we could actually use it. Headsail reefing will depend on whats been put on; last one was a Facnor, this a Plastimo which is adequate for my needs. Friend has a Harken on his.....
 
S31 although slightly shorter is a heavier boat but still outsails the Bene 325.
All the S31 deck gear is Lewmar. Moody Interior lasts well/decent quality. Volvo MD2020 with Saildrive

Unless the Bene is a very very bargain price and v well equiped compared to the S31 example then its S31 every time IMHO.

(Although I might be biased as I have an S31 !)
 
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