Purchasing a Moody 33 Mk 11

[teana]

We are interested in purchasing a Moody 33 but have been told that there are problems re osmosis. can anyone give us any info on this? /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[MoodySabre]

Ask the question here too Moody Owners

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I looked at one a few years back that had quite bad 'wicking'.... so perhaps worth keeping an eye out for that too....

 

[PetiteFleur]

Hello, I have Moody 33 mk2 and as far as I know they have no particular problem with osmosis, certianly no more than similar boats of the same age. When I bought mine three years ago, the broker showed me a 6 month old survey which said it had rampant osmosis. Two surveyors checked it out for me, one a well known local surveyor and my neighbour who had only just passed the exam and did it for 'practice' and a beer! Neither could find any osmosis, just a little bit of wicking which was of no consequence. These boats were laid up very heavily and none as far as I know have ever sunk from having osmosis! On the basis of the 'bad' survey I negotiated a substantial discount on the asking price. The surveyor who did the initial survey was well known locally among other surveyors as often giving wrong information regarding osmosis(don't ask, I can't remember who it was!) Other things to look out for are:- The original Thornycroft 90 (BMC 1.5) will be getting long in the tooth and spares are getting scarce(and poor quality-they come from the Far East I believe). I had to replace mine after the first year; Check stanchion bases, the often split with corrosion and can be a B***** to repair - I know, I've done all mine, allow 3 hours on average per base! Bases are still available as well as stanchions. Where the baby stay goes through the deck can leak and rot the bulkhead underneath, can be cured fairly easily and the bulkhead strengthened. The main engine hatch over the engine in the cockpit always leaked from new allowing water into the engine bay, again easily cured if not already done. The windows will probably leak and will need renewing unless alrady done. The steel fuel tank suffers from corrosion and may need replacing, again easy to do apart from removing the original tank which has to be cut up in situ and removed in three pieces! I replaced with a standard 90 litre plastic tank. Lots of technical information on the MOA website - see:- http://www.moodyowners.net/
Whereabouts are you based? I've sent you a PM(click on the flashing flag at the top left)

 

[NFCN]

I'm on my second season with one. It had osmosis treatment done 7 years ago - no sign of reappearance. Am really enjoying her and regularly take her cross Channel.

For: really solid construction and you feel very safe in a seaway. Just look at the thickness of the hull and topsides compared with some modern equivalents. Family friendly - my 2 boys love the aft cabin. Roomy and good storeage space - very deep cockpit lockers. Reasonably fast if you are of the cruising rather than racing persuasion. The engine is fine if it has been looked after - not sure I agree about parts being difficult to source as I have found Thornycroft, asap supplies etc very helpful. Most appear to have the original T90 which is based on the BMC 1.5 - a bog standard diesel which ususally gives you good warning of anything going wrong.

Against - not as modern and as easy to live in as some. One sink, no walkway to aft cabin (might be worth looking at a 333), no fixed double bed, for example.

You should definitely go for one that has been modernised and looked after. Mine had had, for example, all lines led aft, stackpack, radar, fridge, calorifier and heating all put in, which makes a difference (although there's more to go wrong).

Shop around - and if you want any detailed advice, do pm me. Couldn't recommend the MOA website strongly enough; worth paying £20 to get membership just for the advice and technical library alone.

Nick

 

[Danny]

Glad you're still happy with her, Nick - the warranty's expired now anyway /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif