moody vs westerly

[owen]

I am looking at westerly and moody yachts of late 70,s as a family cruising yacht. length 33 ft probabaly centre cockpit. any preferences /prejudices of these 2 marques?? thanks

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[sailbadthesinner]

try this thread here for info on <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=ym&Number=357076&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1#Post357076>moody 33</A>
there are a number of owners on the board with lots of useful advice

my old man is currently sat aboard a rented westerly 33 in salcombe. he seems quite happy with it. it has a new engine but i am told oit sails okay i will ask for a more detailed appraisal when he gets back and pm if you want.



<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>if guinness is good for you. i must be very very good</font color=red>

 

[townquay]

We had our Moody 33 Mk.ll (1981) surveyed about 20 months ago. ( three of us own her) She came through with flying colours. However what was really good to hear was the surveyor kept saying words to his trainee to the effect, 'These Moodys are built very strongly and wherever possible everything's doubled-up.' (For instance he examined one bulkhead and showed me how it was typical Moody to bolt it AND GRP it , rather than one or the other.
As a point of interest, when we bought her she'd been constantly in the water for 9 years, in Cherbourg and there was no osmosis even 'though we had two specialist firms called in because we were convinced there must be.
I think I'd go for the Mk.lll if I had he option now, as their stern cabin is connected to the main saloon (and thus the heads) by a passageway.
As for a heavy sea, we've regularly done longish trips (but only the Channel Isles & suchlike) in 6's & 7's and once or twice even gusting 8's when we've been caught out, and the boat seems to revel in it. We and our (sometimes inexperienced) guests have never felt in any danger or that the boat is being stretched.
The saloon is said by those doing reports, to be on the short side but we usually sail with 3 - 5 big blokes and it's never been a problem. Certainly it's extremely wide and comfortable and this gives loads of space.
All berths are over 6' and the stern cabin is ideal for privacy - or for the kids.
I wouldn't honesstly call her a particularly fast boat but she does plough on regardless and is an excellent cruising boat. (I tend to work out navigation based on achieving 5 kts - sometimes 4.5 - 4.75)
I can't speak for Westerlys except to say that whenever I've spoken to their owners they have the same affection for their boats.
However Moody's boatbuilders are still in business and I always get a helpful reception from them when seeking advice etc. even 'though they stopped building 33's eons ago.

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[Mudplugger]

Not a lot to choose between the moody33/ Westerly 33, The latter is a bit heavier built and goes to windward somewhat better, particularly the ketch variant, off the wind not a lot between them, Westerly saloon quite a lot bigger, will seat 8 round the table at a squeeze, have had 10 unto the late hours and their was still room for the empties.Aft cabin not quite so large but ample room for two.Two massive cockpit lockers will take all you are likely to need. Had ours for 15 years now, sailed in all sorts of weather up to 50knots round and about the North sea, Heavy weather handling gives you lots of confidence,and 42 horses under the cockpit floor helps as well. If you want to come for a sail on one (East Coast-Wivenhoe based) drop me a line...

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[Robin]

Hear hear. We had our W33 14 years and were well pleased, ours was the one featured in PBO. Fin keels much better performance than twin, hold course better and are faster on all points not just upwind.

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