Seeking info about Moody construction

[vseager]

We are looking at centre cockpit Moody's in the 40ft range built in the late 90's. I've sailed a fair bit on some friend's Moody 336 which seemed very solid and who have since upgraded to a Moody S38 which seemed equally well built as well as being gorgeous below deck, I've not sailed on the S38. I know Bill Dixon designed these boats and is well regarded, but I'm struggling to find any definitive/official information about the construction. My key questions are:

* What is the hull construction method, hull to deck joint etc?
* Are they insulated, will we have condensation issues? (we open hatches but often this doesn't avoid it completely and it's the UK, it rains)
* Do they slam or slap at all in choppy weather
* Are they well balanced? Where are the tanks located?
* Is there room to fit an additional water tank and perhaps a generator?

 

[Tiderace]

You need to get on the Moody Owners webiste; very helpful.

Moody Owners Information Exchange

 

[stuartwineberg]

Definitely go to the owners site you can ask questions as a potential owner and possibly link up with an owner who will show you over their boat (perhaps not with COVID) I have a 90s 36cc and as to your questions. Solid glass up to the waterline then balsa cored. Not sure about hull to deck joint but very heavily laid up. Has a thruster fitted and the core taken out of the hull is inches thick. Very well insulated, constructed with an inner liner and a lot of wood cladding to the interior hull sides. Some condensation on hatches and windows but not on the walls. Heavy boat so cuts through waves well, also quite a deep forefoot so minimal slamming. As for balance, tankage etc you need to find an owner of the specific boat of interest. I’ve had going on for 10 different boats of all types and the Moody is the best.

 

[Hoist]

Definately visit the Moody Owners Association

Huge knowledge, you'll need a temporary membership

Moodys are amazingly strong and over built compared to more modern yachts

 

[sailaboutvic]

Definitely go to the owners site you can ask questions as a potential owner and possibly link up with an owner who will show you over their boat (perhaps not with COVID) I have a 90s 36cc and as to your questions. Solid glass up to the waterline then balsa cored. Not sure about hull to deck joint but very heavily laid up. Has a thruster fitted and the core taken out of the hull is inches thick. Very well insulated, constructed with an inner liner and a lot of wood cladding to the interior hull sides. Some condensation on hatches and windows but not on the walls. Heavy boat so cuts through waves well, also quite a deep forefoot so minimal slamming. As for balance, tankage etc you need to find an owner of the specific boat of interest. I’ve had going on for 10 different boats of all types and the Moody is the best.

Stuart agree with everything you said , but where the insulation ? I had a 36cc no insulation on that one 1999 ,
there is as you said have an inner lining but there nothing in between my friend. .
Unless your taken the air gap as insulation ?

 

[wully1]

No insulation on the 36 I had either.

check carefully for leaks from the deck fittings...you cannot get to some/most of them with out major surgery.

They are very well built boats, too well sometimes , with some quirks like a 5 meter heads outlet hose that is a nightmare to change.

 

[MAURICE]

I have a M44 all the above but no insulation. Boat is currently in the med so this isnt a problem but when in the Uk over winter you do get condensation. But not a problem just leave the windows open a little.

 

[MAURICE]

Should have said they are through bolted deck to Hull very solid

 

[stuartwineberg]

Stuart agree with everything you said , but where the insulation ? I had a 36cc no insulation on that one 1999 ,
there is as you said have an inner lining but there nothing in between my friend. .
Unless your taken the air gap as insulation ?

Yes, sorry, rather misleading by me. I simply meant that the thickness of the hull, the structural bonding paste between the hull and liner offer some insulation compared to a single thickness hull. I didnt mean to imply some specific insulation material is built into the structure. We certainly don’t get condensation on the hull sides.

 

[stuartwineberg]

QUOTE="wully1, post: 7368469, member: 1906"]
No insulation on the 36 I had either.

check carefully for leaks from the deck fittings...you cannot get to some/most of them with out major surgery.

They are very well built boats, too well sometimes , with some quirks like a 5 meter heads outlet hose that is a nightmare to change.
[/QUOTE]
Yes, didn’t want to get into a long pros and cons of specific models especially as the op is looking at bigger boats that I have no experience of. Completely agree about the heads hose and I can add leaky window frames to that as the 20year plus sealants start to fail. Lot of rebedding done on my boat Still the best boat I have owned

 

[FlyingGoose]

41 year old moody owner , love it solid and sea worthy and built to last.
Highly recommend the owners association great information and help .
As previous posters have mentioned

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I've owned a Moody 31 built in 1989 since 2007. The construction is a solid as as rock; she will take a lot more than the crew will! Hull is solid; decks and cabin are balsa cored. Deck fittings either bolted through or attached to the continuous toe-rail; chain plates attached to the hull; they're the only place where I've had leaks through the deck, and it was easily cured without requiring access from below. No specific insulation, but condensation isn't a problem except on the aluminium surrounds to the windows and hatches. The headlining provides an air-gap, and the continuous wooden fittings make a similar gap against the hull. She sails well, and when sailing in company with comparable boats , she's usually one of the faster ones.