Westerly v. Moody

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Mand

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We have now managed to narrow the search down to:
Westerly Oceanlord
Moody 422
Moody 425
The plan is to go extended cruising, initially in the Med, then crossing the Atlantic for a spell in the Caribbean, eventually going through Panama to spend time in Pacific.

As we are finding the final decision very difficult, would welcome your views.

Thanks
 
Did a transat in an OceanLord last year - good solid boat if a little agricultural -

If the Volvo 2003T is fitted, if can you can thow it away and put in say a 2040

I'd prefer a Moody they tend to fit you like an old coat very quickly but I've never had that same immediate feeling with any Westerly.
 
I tend to agree with Landale, the Moody just seems to have an edge on style & interior fit out.

We berthed near a Moody 425 in The South of france and SWMBO said that it was our next boat. I must admit the interior was superb & she sailed like a dream, although not as fast as our Dufour.
Only seen the big Westerlys on the hard in UK, you don't see many of em at all in the Med. maybe they are all in the Pacific???

When you get to this size & type I dont believe there is too much to chose by way of sailing ability, most Blue water yachts like these are sea kindly, & it really comes down to the 'feel' & cosmetic finishes. IMHO

Are you buying here or in the MED?

A Moody it is then!


poter.
 
Hi Mand

We did a transatlantic and 12,000 miles in a Westerly Corsair. Sadly we lost her in Hurricane Ivan. We now have a Moody 38 in the Med. The story of our trip on both boats so far is Here

We have found both boats to be solid and seakindly, but the Moody edges on finish and has a more "luxurious" feel. (Mind you it is newer than our Westerly). I also found the Moody easier to work on in terms of replacing pumps and electrics etc. Remember cruising is "fixing boats in exotic places" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Both good solid boats though and a great choice for extended offshore cruising. Westerlys will come in a little cheaper than Moody.When not cruising I'm a broker specializing in new Dufours and used long distance cruisers. I'll keep a look out for you.
 
Mand,
we came to the same "final three" back in the year 2000, and decided to go for a Moody 422; we haven't regretted our decision. She feels a lot roomier inside than the Oceanlord, and suits the warmer climes of the Med & Caribbean better IMHO.
The only differences we could find between the 422 and the 425 were at the transom, and more significantly in the galley: the 425 has a door leading from the galley into the aft heads, which we found rather superfluous and leads to a loss in galley work-surface... Why would one want 2 accesses to the aft cabin?
Also, the 425 comes as standard with in-mast furling main, whereas our 422 has a lovely-shaped fully-battened main... But that's another story!
 
Any Westerly has a headlining issue. They are a nightmare to replace. So adjust the price accordingly-Roger Nantais who used to work for Westerly's is very good and competitive. There is an issue with the 2003 Volvo but that can resolved. One of the brokers at Michael Scmiht was their ex export manager and knows how to deal with it. Also not sure sure about the inmast furling - fully battened always seems to set much better. Also beware of the teak deck version, very poor quality. Tread master much more preferable
 
How does Tread Master stand up in the Med Sun - does it not absorb the sun/heat more than a plain dek. I have tended to rule Westerlys out from my short list because of this. Any thoughts?
 
Thanks for all the comments so far.

Can anyone enlighten me on the issue with the Volvo 2003T?

Cheers
 
[ QUOTE ]
... Why would one want 2 accesses to the aft cabin?

[/ QUOTE ] simple - in case you need to make a rapid escape, and the one passageway is blocked, most particularly by fire. OK so you can get out through the deck hatch .... as long as you are up to it.

There are two 425's for sale in southern Spain right now, one in Aguadulce the other in Puerto Banus. The latter is "as she left the boat show when new" according the broker - only 500 hours use, and no mods at all. We were going to look at her, but have gone for something else.
 
[ QUOTE ]

Can anyone enlighten me on the issue with the Volvo 2003T?


[/ QUOTE ]

Simple: it's a Volvo.

Had the same one on the previous boat.
After 3 years of chucking good money after bad, bit the bullet & replaced with a Yanmar.
Never regretted it.

When the Vetus on current boat eventually packs up (22 yrs - 3200hrs) it will get replaced by a Yanmar too.
 
I can clarify the 2003 issue. The 2000 series engine has a design problem with wear in the spline shaft drive between engine and gearbox (which Volvo have never accepted). There is a fix known as 'hexing the shaft' which is easily done but costs money. Other than this isuue, we found the 2002 version of the engine worked well on our Westerly Merlin.

Angus
www.DoItCruise.info
 
Oh boy, I've started something

My issue is really with the turbo - IMHO an un-necessary complication when it is unlikely that the engine will be working at more than 66% of its rated revolutions.

IIRC the 2003T produces about 48HP, but in a yacht unlikely to be asked to produce more than 20HP - In an evironment where reliable plodding is very much the order of the day to me the best option is a normally aspirated engine.

I have a 2003 (not T) and I'm aware of issues with the splines, the aft crankshaft seal and water pump seals - then a cold starting problem in the winter that even after activating the cold start and although the engine fires at the first touch of the button it is necessary to maintain uncomfortably high revs for the first 5-10 seconds so that combustion can be maintained (not a problem in warmer climes though /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)

All in all mine has not let me down YET and possibly the issues are due to the age of the engine.

But I would feel a lot happier with a different engine - almost certainly another Volvo, its not that it's a Volvo it's that it is a 2003, maybe as it is 22 years old with 2300 hours on it I'm being unreasonable /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Well, thanks all, for your views. Unfortunately looks like the other 'alf wins again, then, as he wants a Moody, whereas I quite like the Oceanlord!

We are hopefully going to buy somewhere in Europe (not too fussy where), so would be grateful if you can tell us if you know of any on the market.
 
Mand - we are going through the same process - looking at the moment - but not really wanting the right one to turn up for about 18 months - I retire in 2 years.

Issues I had with Westerly Ocean lord
1. Teak in cockpits is poor - being a cheap ply backed - Teak decks should be avoided.
2. The volvo engine - they seem to have 3,000 hours - so I think one has to budget for a full engine change. I was interested in the comments on the 2003 and 2003T
3. Track master decking - dark grey - will be too hot underfoot in the Med, so will all have to be removed and replaced with something lighter. Dark grey colour is not very pleasant.
4. Gallies have the dreadful tile finish!
5. Most seem to have in mast furling - and I am a little sceptical about that
6. Forestay furling often by Rotospar- means replacement as a bottom of range bit of kit.

So I am about to start looking at Moodies. Perhaps we should ensure we do not make an offer on the same boat and drive up the price. Though if you are buying V soon, we would be unlikley to clash.

Let me know of any other ideas you may have.
 
We are trying to get out and see the Moody 425 in Spain, but someone else has first refusal, so have to wait to see if they buy!

Thanks for the link to the Oceanlord, I hadn't seen that one. A bit more than wanted to pay, but will see if I can persuade the boss!

With regards to in-mast furling, it doesn't put us off. We did an Atlantic circuit a few years ago and our boat had in-mast furling. Although when we first bought the boat, we thought about getting rid, the cost of doing so made us keep it.

And we were glad we did! Although sailing performance is impacted slightly, it meant that when on watch alone, you could reef / un-reef without waking anyone up. This meant more sleep than others we knew without, who woke the other up every time they needed to reef or unreef. Because it was so easy, you also could do it as often as required, so no worry about waiting too long to see if it is really necessary.
 
Mand
have a word with Ancasta they have several large brokerages in France with lots of boats. The big point in their favour is they are brits & have a UK client account, they will also do all the contracts & change of registration if you require. Do get a VAT cert.

If you fly down to Nimes or Marseille there are some good boat yards within an hours drive with loads of boats for sale or get over to La Rochell again with many yachts.

PS dont bother to book a hotel most of them have rooms up to a couple of weeks befor xmas. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

good luck, if you need any further help PM

poter
 
[ QUOTE ]
Mand
have a word with Ancasta they have several large brokerages in France with lots of boats. The big point in their favour is they are brits & have a UK client account, they will also do all the contracts & change of registration if you require. Do get a VAT cert.


[/ QUOTE ]

The big point against Ancasta is that they ARE Brits & have a UK client account. They set the price of their boats by UK (overpriced) standards.

We looked at two Ancasta boats (abroad) when we where shopping. It's not uncommon to find the same boat listed with a local broker - cheaper.
We ended up buying in Holland.
 
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