Moody S31 or Beneteau First 325

[Bobc]

325 is a much quicker and more exciting boat to sail than an S31.

If you're and ex-dinghy sailor and/or you just like something that goes well, then choose the 325.

If you want a comfy cruiser and you're less worried about performance, then the S31 is probably a better choice.

You pays your money...etc (but my money would be spent on the 325)

 

[AIDY]

If you want a comfy cruiser and you're less worried about performance, then the S31 is probably a better choice.

Have you sailed one ?

I used to own and race one and she always did very well......

 

[Bobc]

Yes, both.

 

[Magaz97]

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.

The Fulmar, in my opinion is a well built fast cruiser, capable of dealing with most sea states. They are rugged and dependable, with good accomodation. They sail well (fast) and can handle a good breeze without having to reef to early.
Great cockpit, safe and secure, with a huge cockpit locker. Proper chart table with a great saloon area too.

Magaz

 

[jwilson]

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 !)

Unless you are comparing a very well sailed Moody 31 with a very badly sailed Ben First 325 the First MUST be substantially faster. A foot more keel depth, and built as a club-level racer/cruiser rather than the pure cruiser intention of the Moody. 325 longer both overall and on the waterline, and with more sail area.

Both good boats in their own ways though.

 

[BAtoo]

S31 although slightly shorter is a heavier boat but still outsails the Bene 325.

Rubbish!!

From Byronsoftware Handicaps Moody S31 = 1000; First 325 = 932
(Lower is better)
68 points is a lot.....

Need a crack crew on the Moody to outsail the Bene (assuming comparable sails etc.....)

 

[seumask]

Fulmar Handicap of 974 between the two, IMHO the twin keel option is rather underated at 1016, however I am biased as I have one too.

 

[snooks]

The First 325 is a cracking boat, it's pretty, they sail well, good practical accommodation.

The last one came of the production line, and was deliver to it's owner on Dec 10th 1988. She went into charter, and went as far north as Fort William, and as far south as La Rochelle, over the summer months she would be to France, then Scilly isles or the channel islands every week, and she did that for 15 years until my father sold the charter company. She would always have repeat bookings year after year

The cockpit is comfortable, the woodwork below is nice and solid.

They don't have a bathing platform in the transom, the aft cabin lining is susceptible to mildew, and by new the headlinings might be a bit droopy.

Check around the keel for any signs of cracking in the top hat section in the bilge

 

[BuzzFan]

both good in different ways

Both good boats but as others have said, the bene is sportier, perhaps a little rougher. I had a moody 31, for 5 yrs, selected for comfort and strong resale value, but raced a mate's old first, which was way more fun to sail. So it's horses for courses. Lots of other makes of that vintage and size to consider, I'd decide what type of boat you want before deciding on the model, then search for and buy the best looked after of the type.

 

[tom52]

Apart from being Moodys the S31 and the 31 are entirely different boats.

 

[JimC]

Apart from being Moodys the S31 and the 31 are entirely different boats.

Yes, I was shopping for a boat in this size range 3 years ago and looked at several 31s Mks 1 & 2 and one S31. The S31 seems much more light and spacious down below, makes the 31 seem almost poky. In the event bought a Hunter Channel 31 but also liked the S31 and would have been more than happy with one. Nothing to contribute about sailing qualities as didn't sail either.

 

[Tranona]

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?

If you are buying to use in the Ionian, then either boat will be fine. All the stuff about which is better round the cans, and to a certain extent how it was built, is largely irrelevant.

Both boats were well used by charter companies, although only Nielsons as far as I know ran large numbers of Moodys - they got a good deal when they were new and used them to the maximum.

If you are thinking of buying this sort of boat the only thing that really matters is condition (and condition). These boats will have done 15 years or more, out 20 weeks a year with 10 or 15 different crews each year. If the operator has looked after them and done the necessary repairs and upgrades they will still be good. If they have been languishing at the bottom of the fleet and only used when they are short of good boats - who knows? Equally if they have been sold to absentee owners, chances are they go downhill very quickly if not used regularly. On the upside they should be well equipped with all the necessary gear for comfortable living on baord for two people (and perhaps a couple of children).

Holiday type "sailing" in the Ionian is over 80% at anchor or tied up to a Quay. Of the mobile time well over half will be under motor, and the rest drifting along in light airs (or if you are unlucky, too much wind). So the important things on the boat are ventilation, shade, big batteries, lots of fuel and water, good engine, good ground tackle and windlass. Just look at a typical charter boat to see where priorities are - and they are very different from buying a boat to bash up and down the English Channel, or race around the cans.

If you are regularly more than 2 crew then 31 is on the small side. Better to move up a notch to 34/5 foot. The difference is way out of proportion to the small increase in length. Handling is arguably even easier with a larger boat and the difference in costs of both buying and keeping are not that much. We had our Bavari 37 out there for years. Originally we were going for a 34, but the 37 was very little more overall and a big jump up in space and livability.

 

[snooks]

Better to move up a notch to 34/5 foot.

The First 325 is actually 34ft...But don't tell the harbour masters

 

[smeaks]

The Fulmar, in my opinion is a well built fast cruiser, capable of dealing with most sea states. They are rugged and dependable, with good accomodation. They sail well (fast) and can handle a good breeze without having to reef to early.
Great cockpit, safe and secure, with a huge cockpit locker. Proper chart table with a great saloon area too.

Magaz

unfortunatley they apparently dont go as fast as a moody 27.... skippered by a sailor and crewed by a gorilla....

 

[Boreades]

Hi Dave

We've had a 32s5 for 16 years now, still very happy with its performance and capabilities.

Before the children arrived, Mrs Boreades and I sailed two-handed to many places from Plymouth. Some might find it carries more sail than other boats of the same size. We're used to that, and regularly reef-down the main and swap to a smaller genoa. Did just that for our trip back from Fowey to Plymouth. Three reefs and #4 genoa. Much kinder on our children as crew members, yet still averaged more than six knots.

Perhaps its unusual these days, we're not using roller reefing, still using a Tuff Luff (twin groove) arrangement.

The one item of original equipment that did not survive well was the electric switch panel, replaced that with two switch panels with circuit breaker.

For the interior, I believe there were two versions. We've got the Phillip Stark designed interior. Dark mahogany with white fabric on all the cushions, well it was white before the children arrived.

What to look for? Check the stanchions and bases where they join the toe-rail. Clumsy or overweight people might have used the stanchions as crowbars and caused the toe-rail to lift in places. We had to carefully pack with silicone sealant after one such visitor.

 

[Spyro]

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 !)

Are you sure you are not thinking about an Oceanis which is the cruising version rather than the First. Firsts although the same hulls have taller rigs and deeper keels. A First 325 should easily outsail a S31.

 

[Spyro]

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.

I would have thought these boats would have quite a price difference. If that is the case there must be a lot in between to consider.
A 1987 Bene will be suffering from old Age. Headlining and upholstery problems to name a few expensive ones. I remember looking at first 29 from around that era which had black vinyl upholstery

 

[E39mad]

Are you sure you are not thinking about an Oceanis which is the cruising version rather than the First. Firsts although the same hulls have taller rigs and deeper keels. A First 325 should easily outsail a S31.

The Firsts of the 1980's did not share hulls with the Oceanis or Idylle models.

 

[Bobc]

The First 325 is actually 34ft...But don't tell the harbour masters

I had a First 345 for quite a few years and always got away with paying for 34ft (even though it's actually 36ft).

That's another option to look at. A bit more headroom and slightly bigger cabins. The 2-cabin owners version is a nice comfy boat.

 

[RadiumRob]

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!

Just out of interest, which boat did you go for?