Which onewould you opt for and why?

jimi

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On my perennial tyre ticking for a boat that SWMBO will like the accomodation more on whilst being a solid all weather boat with reasonable passage times. I'm considering 3 boats:

Moody 38S
Moody 376
Moody 422

Anybody any view on the relative merits and dismerits?
 

uxb

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On my perennial tyre ticking for a boat that SWMBO will like the accomodation more on whilst being a solid all weather boat with reasonable passage times. I'm considering 3 boats:

Moody 38S
Moody 376
Moody 422

Anybody any view on the relative merits and dismerits?

All require you to stand outside in all weather to steer. All share the problem of not having a view of your destination from the saloon once you get to where your going.

Had a look at an Eclipse?
 

Bobc

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Get the biggest one you can.

The bigger they are, the faster they go, and the more spacious accommodation they have.

They also stand up to seas better and give a smoother ride.
 

Bobc

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And cost more to berth, and insure, and maintain, and and and and etc :)

I don't necessarily agree with that argument. The difference between a 36 and 42 is only an extra 2m. What's that 20% extra?

Insurance is based on value not length, and is cheap anyway

WRT maintenance, well other than a bit more antifoul, there's not much more cost. Both will have 1 cooker, 1 fridge, 2 heads, 1 engine, etc.

So if you were keeping a boat in a marina, it might cost you £7k per year instead of £6k. That's hardly a show-stopper.
 

Martin_J

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You will use more fuel (both in motoring and heating), bigger more complex engine, more expensive sails, longer/heavier ropes, bigger more expensive extras (even such things as replacing fenders/liferaft/sprayhood/jackstays/everything!) .. it does add up. Cooker (probably more complex/larger), fridge (will be larger therefore if compressor/plate packs up it will be more expensive to replace)..

But you will get there quicker.. Oh - that means arriving in time for a restaurant meal rather than cooking on board and just making last orders (so again more expensive!)
 

Bobc

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Repairs and replacements are more expensive, I agree. But running costs aren't really.

An engine need oil & filter, fuel filters, impellor. No difference really beween 30hp and 100hp.

My 105hp drinks 3l/hr at 6kts. That's hardly any more than my old 18hp used to use to push the 36 along.

Standard plastimo cooker, standard Waeco fridge, liferaft is dependent on the number of crew not the boat length, etc.

A lot of this "it's so much more expensive" stuff is hearsay.
 

Martin_J

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Jimi
If you are in the area (Solent) then you are more than welcome for a sail in the s38. Regarding choice - I liked the traditional aft cockpit and to keep a large aft cabin went for the s38 with a single aft cabin. Did you realise there was a choice of twin or single aft? Having a single aft cabin gives lots more galley worktop, more cupboards, a hanging locker and also a cockpit locker that is big enough for dinghy, outboard and loads of fenders.
Regarding the rig on the s38 - I felt the boom was lower and therefore the sail more manageable than on most 38' boats. Also the deck has more flat working space than your other choices.
Choice of masthead or fractional rig. Mine is masthead - I understand the fractional has same size genoa/forestay but the mast is just about 4' taller giving taller mainsail. s38 has Selden single line reefing with huge cars on tracks in the boom making it work well.
Regarding keel - Choice of deep fin or shoal draft. I think you would find it hard to tell whilst sailing which version you were on.
Think you will find the s38 more modern and hence more modern mouldings in the heads etc.
Whichever you choose you will find all three have relatively high topsides - quite a step up.. but it does give you more locker space inside! Also - you will find these Moodys have lockers around the forepeak - a lot of modern boats just have a shelf.
Engine s38 is a saildrive - not sure your feelings on these but the diaphragm is not as bad as you might think to change.
If you have any specific questions then ask away.. will PM you my details if you prefer a chat.
 
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Rum_Pirate

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I don't necessarily agree with that argument. The difference between a 36 and 42 is only an extra 2m. What's that 20% extra?
I have observed that boats are not sold like rope ie by the metre.

There is a significant difference between a 36'0" and 42'0" yacht and not 16.67% more. :cool:

While the length increases, the beam and draft also increases along with mast height and in many cases equipment is also beefed up. :)
 
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Get the one with the easy-to-find holding tank.
 

Tranona

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Getting back to your original question, any of them would be a good choice but it really does depend on your priorities - plus of course being able to find one in good condition, or cheap enough to get up to scratch.

Arguably the 376 is the optimum (which is why it was the biggest seller) a it has all the features of the larger boats but with a bit less space. However, despite what some have tried to argue it is significantly cheaper to buy and run than a 422, particularly if you have to pay for a marina berth. A 422 would be better if you were at anchor most of the time where the additional space would be useful without the penalty of higher mooring costs.

Given these boats are 25 or more years old, the biggest problem is finding one in good condition and people tend to hang onto good ones because there are few more modern alternatives.

However, you might consider a Bavaria Ocean 38 or 40. At least equal to, if not better than a Moody in most respects, but crucially 15 years younger. Not so many around, but this one in Corfu will give you an idea of what they are like www.pinnacleyachtsales.com
 
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