Moody v Jeanneau

[jonic]

Shug,

Bit of sweeping comment especially if you have ever owned a Moody or in my case surveyed both Moody's and Jeanneau's.....I would say the Moody's are much heavier built and may not be as brisk but provide for many owners a much more rewarding ownership...

I like the Jen 43 DS. I actually sailed in company with one from the Caribbean to Florida. I have a Moody 38 but was faster on every point of sail.

Here's us bashing to windward into the Atlantic from St Lucia to Barbados to visit fellow forumite Bajansailor......with me in front

 

[Tranona]

There's pros and cons either way...
When the right boat comes along you will know!

Could not agree more. When I went thrrough the exercise I was desparate to like the older boats as these were the ones I hankered after when they were new but could not afford. Every time I went back on my then 6 year old Bavaria I realised how right it was for me and (for the same money) it was a backward step to buy an older boat.

Droopy headlinings, knackered sails , obsolete electronics, shabby upholstery, varnish bubbling off bulkheads, rotting mild steel fuel tanks, leaky teak decks, smoky engines and so on. Not all on the same boat but every one needed £15k to bring them up to scratch. Not bad in some ways after 25 years use but spending that money has little impact on market value so to get value out of it you have to plan for long term ownership.

 

[minkysailing]

Jonic,

I stand corrected...

 

[Tranona]

I like the Jen 43 DS. I actually sailed in company with one from the Caribbean to Florida. I have a Moody 38 but was faster on every point of sail.

But yours is a very different boat from the Eclipse 38 under discussion.

 

[jonic]

But yours is a very different boat from the Eclipse 38 under discussion.

Yes I think the Eclipse is lighter. But they are both Dixon designs.

Lots of Moody info here http://www.moodyowners.net/Moody_Archives/moody_archives.shtml

 

[shaunksb]

I know boat values are subjective and that the depreciation curve tends to flatten out after a time but I am wondering why the parity in asking price and is the Jeanneau still on its way down (depreciation wise).

I would have thought the depreciation curves would be similar by now but if we look at todays market and then fast forward ten years a 20 year old mass produced boat is still very saleable whereas a 30 year old Moody may have a more specialist and hence limited market.

 

[jonic]

Going back to the OP's question.

Either boat would be a good choice. They both hold their value and are always in demand. They are not the same but which ever one you like, they are well worth owning.

 

[Sailfree]

The Jeanneau is by far the faster sailing boat. I seem to remember that the DS out-performed the standard version in a YM test.

The DS outperformed the Sun Oddessey in both the 40 & 43 range as the extra cabin sole height enables the majority of the water and the diesel to be in much ,ower tanks immediately above the keel bolts - better weight distribution.

Because of the often in-mast furling "cruising" DS boat outperforming the SO Jeanneau no longer make boats with the same length hull so direct comparisons between a Jeanneau SO & DS model cannot be made. I went for the best of both worlds and got the DS with fully battened main and stack pack.

WRT depreciation my 43DS came fully loaded IIRC for £165k +VAT in 2004/5 if I sold it now I would expect circa £135k. I don't think this any better or worse for any new production boat. From others I get the impression that the DS is a desirable boat S/H if priced right. I am informed that one sold recently at Hamble on first day of listing at asking price of £135k.

Quality boats like HR with 18months waiting lists hold their price better but investment return/interest on marine mortgage on just the extra cost is likely to equal the depreciation of the cheaper production boat.

Remember there are no right or wrong boats just a series of compromises that best suits your choice.

Good luck.

 

[Dockhead]

I'm a Moody owner and have a high opinion of Dixon designs and Moody boats, but . . .

I think you're choosing between apples and oranges here. The Eclipse 38 is a very specific type of motor sailer, chunky, with high freeboard, and an inside steering position. The Jenneau is a modern, good performing sailing cruiser. Rather different boats for different purposes.

The Eclipse would be excellent for coastal pottering, especially in bad weather. It's old, old-fashioned, beautifully made, but will probably need a considerable amount of investment into refitting and upgrading. It will not be a great sailing boat -- you will prefer to motor upwind.

Of course better yet, a 10 (or 11) year old Moody, which is what I am lucky to have!

The Jenneau will sail well on all points of sail and is a decade newer. They are very good boats. If you're buying it to sail, the Jenneau is the obvious choice, in my opinion.

Moodys of that era are lovely hand-built boats of high quality -- closer to expensive Scandinavian boats than to French AWB's. The regular sailing yachts are good performers (Bill Dixon's hand). They are certainly worth paying more for, than a comparable French AWB of comparable age. But 10 years is a lot of wear and tear. I'd probably rather have a 10-year old Jenny or Bene than a 20-year old Moody.

 

[Greg2]

Thanks everyone. Some informative stuff here which has given me food for thought.
To answer one question, I like the look of the Jeanneau more and am not sure about the quirky nature of the Moody, but I have been around boats long enough to know that we need to view them to get a real feel for what we like.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

Thanks everyone. Some informative stuff here which has given me food for thought.
To answer one question, I like the look of the Jeanneau more and am not sure about the quirky nature of the Moody, but I have been around boats long enough to know that we need to view them to get a real feel for what we like.

Hi Greg,

If you can then do more than just view them... When buying a yacht you are in a lovely position where lots of people selling yachts will happily take you sailing! Make the most of it!!!

I have sailed both the Moody and the Jeanneau - various different types of each, and I would agree with previous posts stating that they are essentially very different animals... Particularly when considering the Eclipse.

My opinion (for what its worth) is that the Moody tends to feel heavier and more solid, and has a higher quality finish internally. The Jeanneau feels quicker and can be more responsive, and has a cleaner more minimalist finish.

If you like a centre cockpit (again many pros and cons) then the Moody has various options... Personally I would favour the 38 or 425 over the smaller 36 which in my opinion is on the small side for a centre cockpit yacht.

The Jeanneau (particularly the DS) looks a lot more modern than the Moody, and the aft cockpit (43 for example) provides a much larger saloon/living area... (Horses for courses)

Good luck whichever you decide!

Pete

 

[Twister_Ken]

I've broken stuff on two Jennies (a 36.2 and a 42.2) without really trying. Both late 90's models and almost new at the time. Seems to suggest that the build quality and equipment fit were 'down to a price' at that time. Things might have changed.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Is the the Moody a much better quality boat? Will it sail better and be more seaworthy?

.

Yes and yes. That particular Moody got glowing reports on its sailing performance when it was first launched.

In terms of quality I always put Moody and Westerly mid way between the AWB French boats and the Swedes, but that difference is mainly in terms of internal fit out

 

[dunedin]

Used boat test for Moodly Eclipse 38 in Sailing Today June issue

Can buy online if have iPad/iPhone

 

[Greg2]

Will look at more in the Moody range before deciding I think. A friend had one and liked it.
Thanks for the tip Pete - maybe this seasons sailing could be on other peoples boats!!

Thought the price is a bit high (£90k) though and research on the web quickly found some archived details of one previously up for £75k!! I know they aren't common but is it really worth this much??