Moody 36 (90s) 1997 Moody 36-2 joys / frustrations of ownership?

  • Thread starter Charles Perkins
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Charles Perkins

Lovely looking boat with good space! Can anyone tell me about the joys and frustrations of ownership? Or similar Moodys. Esp:
1) Performance (she's kept in a light wind area)
2) 2nd hand problems. E.g. a 376 owner friend had probs with windows, electrics and windlass.
Thanks all!
 
Hi there,
Moodys are vintage boats. Buy one and you’ve bought a lifestyle.
The joy of ownership is that you’d have a hull and design that are timeless; lots of space, as you note. And real development potential for the long haul. And the best owners’ web forum anywhere, to assist and advise and guide.
We love our 376. Curse her too, but mostly love .....
But ....
If you’re looking for a light airs flyer - avoid ... if you’re looking for zero upkeep - avoid.
Simples.
Good luck with decisons!
Roy
 
Roy Clare said:
Hi there,
Moodys are vintage boats. Buy one and you’ve bought a lifestyle.
The joy of ownership is that you’d have a hull and design that are timeless; lots of space, as you note. And real development potential for the long haul. And the best owners’ web forum anywhere, to assist and advise and guide.
We love our 376. Curse her too, but mostly love .....
But ....
If you’re looking for a light airs flyer - avoid ... if you’re looking for zero upkeep - avoid.
Simples.
Good luck with decisons!
Roy
Click to expand...

Thx Roy! Appreciate the quick response.
Roughly what wind speed upwind would you put your first reef in on your 376?
And are you saying Moodys need more than other boats to keep up?
Cheers!
Charlie
 
Hi Charlie,

The 376 stands up well with a full main, but in common with many boats of that generation the Genoa needs rolling to a “No1” Jib really early - 12 knots apparent; and “No2” by 18 knots apparent.

Full main (properly flattened) with a “No2” carries up to 20/22 knots apparent. Then a reef is desirable.

The main in Ocean Dancer is fully-battened, which I really like. With 3 reefs available, two from the cockpit, the third from the deck.

So it isn’t that the boat won’t stand her canvas, she will. But related to the sail power it’s a heavy boat. So our ideal breeze on all points of sail is in the range F4 to F6. Then there is a really wonderful feeling of power and stability.

Lighter airs can be a struggle! But we try not to be in a hurry. Which is therapeutic.

Hope that’s helpful?
 
Roy that's helpful thanks.

If we had wind here it'd be an easy decision... I do really like the space and seaworthiness.

Cheers!




Roy Clare said:
Hi Charlie,

The 376 stands up well with a full main, but in common with many boats of that generation the Genoa needs rolling to a “No1” Jib really early - 12 knots apparent; and “No2” by 18 knots apparent.

Full main (properly flattened) with a “No2” carries up to 20/22 knots apparent. Then a reef is desirable.

The main in Ocean Dancer is fully-battened, which I really like. With 3 reefs available, two from the cockpit, the third from the deck.

So it isn’t that the boat won’t stand her canvas, she will. But related to the sail power it’s a heavy boat. So our ideal breeze on all points of sail is in the range F4 to F6. Then there is a really wonderful feeling of power and stability.

Lighter airs can be a struggle! But we try not to be in a hurry. Which is therapeutic.

Hope that’s helpful?
Click to expand...
 
Hi Charlie,

I've never sailed a 90's Moody 36, but have owned a M425 for 10 years and have sailed a 90's M38 which differs little from Roy's M376. As Roy says, these boats sailing characteristics are classic examples of the IOR influenced masthead rig, with a relatively small main and a large overlapping genoa. However, my preferred approach to shortening sail, at least upwind, is trather different from Roy's.

I reckon both these boats will carry full sail happily up to 15 knots, if you get the sails flat, but beyond that they will feel more comfortable and speed up, if you reduce sail. Particularly upwind, I prefer to reef the main first, as the genoa is the power house in this rig. Even though Bill Dixon's hulls are exceptionally well balanced, weather helm inevitably increases with heel, so taking main off first also serves to reduce this by removing the aft most bit of sail area. Only after the first reef is in, do I look to wind in a bit of genoa at around 18 knots, and then not down to a no.1 jib size (i.e. no overlap) but rather to a no. 2 genoa size, that's the limit of my experience on a M38, but with our M425, I would then go to the equivalent of 2nd. reef in the main following this with reducing the genoa to no. 1 jib size, which she'll carry up to 28 knots if the sails are properly flattened, which is challenging with a genoa rolled up so much. Beyond that performance is out of the window and it's survival tactics.

These boats are not light airs flyers, and our M425 feels as though a switch operates at 10 knots of breeze - she suddenly comes alive as this windspeed is reached, but feels dull at lower windspeeds, not that she doesn't move, but she's much less responsive. As Roy writes, this is probably due to the considerable displacement of these designs, but that has the advantage of making them relatively insensitive to the weight of gear all us cruisers tend to load on board.

It's interesting to read how others approach this all important aspect of sailing.

The 1990's M36 is the next generation of Moodys to come off Bill Dixon's drawing board, fitst built in 1996, so hopefully an owner if one of these will be along soon to offer you their experience of that boat.

Peter.
 
Thanks Peter. Reading between the lines, you and Roy are telling the same story with a different cover!
Is there anything unusual about your Moody ownership (good or bad) that you didn't expect? Extra costs or extra benefits?
Cheers!
Charlie
 
Hi Charlie,,

Even the later M36 you're contemplating is still going to be 20 or more years old, and the downside of any boat of this age is that a lot of kit will be due for replacement. In terms of the boat's basic design, my main complant is that a lot of key equipment is hidden away inaccessibly behind beautiful Moody cabinetry, but we are gradually resolving that with equally beautiful teak access hatches to get at the chain plates and the nuts beneath the genoa sheet turning blocks.

Our M425 has ample space aboard for most purposes, but the same winderful cabinetry also leaves plenty of additional stirage space available which some owners have opened up with extra hatches. Whils we can comfortably fit 10 around the saloon table for a meal, the cockpit space is not so generous only really accomodating 4 round the table for a meal and 5 or 6 when sailing wigh the rable folded away. In fine weather, there are plenty of places to sit out of the cockpit, but this is less inviting when its p***ing with rain - we learn thisvthrough having 7 grandsons.

The joys of owning a Moody are too many to list, but she's a fine cruising design with a surprising turn of speed on passage and the wonderful balance for which Bill Dixon is recognised as a genius. An added bonus of owning a Moody is this wonderful Owners' Association, which must be the best of all, organising great events, on and off the water, and providing the help and advice found on these forums.

Peter.
 
Charles Perkins said:
Thanks Peter. Reading between the lines, you and Roy are telling the same story with a different cover!
Is there anything unusual about your Moody ownership (good or bad) that you didn't expect? Extra costs or extra benefits?
Cheers!
Charlie
Click to expand...
Hi Charlie, the surprises have been few. We knew we were buying a heavy displacement boat of an older design. The volume inside is fabulous; and the build quality speaks for itself - durable and rugged. There are very few known issues that affect the entire fleet. Obvs there are some ill-maintained examples around, but most by now are in a mature phase of their lives - long term get-wells and updates have been made or are being made.
These boats are for people who are comfortable to trundle and enjoy!
When I was deep into ocean racing (‘back in the day’) I’d not have looked twice at a Moody. Now I laugh as I realise how uncomfortable ocean racing was (is)!
Interested Peter keeps his Genoa longer than I do. That maybe because his sail is in better shape than mine. Once they age a bit and acquire a ‘belly’ (ha!) the large headsails need earlier reefing.
Good luck with your decision.
Roy
 
Thanks Roy.
Moody owners seem happy with their choice which is a good reference!
Cheers!
 
Ok, you asked. By the way my M36 is easily the best of the 10 or so vessels I have owned, just to give some perspective. Leaky transom windows. No sensible way for the pressure rise in the calorifier to be vented (fixable). Cooker and fridge should be in each other’s position (not fixable). There should be an opening window above the cooker. Terrible access for pipes and cables. Stupidly long run of hose from toilet to skin fitting. Leaky lazarette seals. Tendency for rudder post seals to fail (fixable)

However, magnificently seaworthy. Fabulously comfy aft cabin, great engine access, safe centre cockpit, loads of safe walkabout space on aft deck. Points much better than you would expect when you add a battened main. Love it.
 
Thx Stuart!
Maybe I should recruit you and your trusty screwdriver!
 
Hi Charlie

Are you still hunting for your 90s 36? I bought mine (Ishima) in Feb and have been cruising her two up in the Med since May. Happy to share trials and tribulations and far more importantly, the great joy of owning one.


Bill
 
Hi Bill
I've found one I like and am in ''should I, shouldn't I mode''!!!
Tell me more - the good and the bad! We live in the tropics and I'd probably be single handing a bit so I'd be interested your take on how she is in the heat and how she is to sail 2 up or do you single hand her as well?
Thanks Bill
 
Good. Good looking boat . Amazing accomodation for her size. We are one of the smallest boats in our liveaboard community but have one of the best owners cabins. Double access to the aft cabin via port and stb is a stroke of genius so a couple don't get in each other's way. Lovely woodwork below and attractive wooden rubbing strakes on deck. Very comfortable in a roughish sea when sailing. Holds her sail well as the wind increases. Very reassuring when hit by sudden squall. Sturdy, safe boat. Ocean rated. Very balanced and easy to steer under sail. Easy to sail two-up especially with autopilot. I did a week singlehanded with no autopilot. Self-steers well up-wind with helm lock on. With a saildrive she is so easy to handle under power. Very little prop walk. Steers very well going astern which for Mediterranean stern-to mooring really helps make life easier. I did several stern-to moorings singlehanded in light winds with no problems though I have fitted a remote control for the windlass which is very handy for that. The stern is well designed for stern-to mooring with wide access and three levels for a passerelle. Good for swimming with short sugar scoop and sturdy swim ladder (no fresh water shower but solar shower works fine). Decent sized 40hp Volvo auxiliary gives 6 knots cruising speed. Everyone you meet tells you how lovely a Moody is, definately well regarded in the cruising community. Warned about leaky windows but been able to cure mine 100% - no different from any other boat in my view on that front. Reasonably well insulated, in Greece on days when cabin ended up at 37 degrees eventually, it remained reasonably comfortable below until around midday. An awning for shading would improve things but I haven't set one up yet. Air scoop on aft hatch in cabin works well.

Bad. Small sail area for size/displacement. Slow in light winds, I'm going to need a cruising shute or similar. Whisker pole would help. Access for wiring and other services seems a bit poor. Anchor chain needed constant pushing to bring in until I replaced my windlass. Bilges always seem a bit wet, I suspect the cockpit lockers leak rainwater in there. On mine the holding tank is too small but was a retrofit. I suspect you can fit bigger ones. On mine the 2nd reef isn't deep enough so I'm looking for a modification. Cool box is power hungry, especially in the heat e.g. 37 degrees in Greece. Even after retrofitting two 100W solar arrays I can only run it on 2 out of 7 max setting so fresh meat I only trust for a day or so in hot weather. It makes ice only on shore power and not much even then. Looking for a fix for this. You will need something better in tropics but there may be a mod already done. Need a fan below in the heat. Worth considering air conditioning for use on shore power.

Happy to expand on points of interest

Bill
 
Thanks Bill. Very helpful.
You've confirmed my thoughts exactly.
 
Hi Charlie,
Peter and Bill have given you plenty of good information.
I bought my 36 in Rome and sailed home to Ireland in all sorts of winds, F0 - F8.
Great sea boat and easily handled. I often sail it singlehanded. Bit of the stretch from cockpit to marina when conditions aren't ideal but with a bit of planning I can get alongside into most places.
The 36 is not the fastest but is better than the displacement / sail area would lead you to believe. Once she gets moving, her weight keeps her moving.
Having sailed on some similar sized Jeanneau's / Beneteau's & Bavaria's I was pleasantly surprised but once you have about 10 knts like Peter's 42 she picks up her skirts and takes off.
Again as Peter said, one problem is trying to retrofit anything behind the woodwork. It's a tight fit against the hull and in other places, wasted space.
Plenty of access around the engine. Reasonable quite and plenty of power.
The 218 litre fuel tank gives me about 100 hrs of motoring when the wind disappears but I try to sail most of the time.
A general lack of locker storage for long distance sailing as the water tanks are under the saloon settees and most of the aft berth is taken up with equipment. However there is a large space under forward berth and in the two deck lockers but the deck lockers are not 100% waterproof.
I normally keep my rolled up dinghy on the single berth between the galley and aft cabin when not in use where it fits perfectly.
I don't have a holding tank which if fitted would have been under the floor by the companionway steps. On my early 36 it would be further aft than on later ones and very difficult to retrofit unless mounting in the next space forward (see John Oldfield's article) which would mean moving the inlet / outlet stopcocks aft in my boat.
I found that she did not like beating with the genny reefed but that might be more to do with the original sail than the boat.
Speed was awful and she was way off the wind. I have a new genny that I had fitted with (following experience on my previous boat) a padded luff but have not used it reefed yet.
My opening ports were leaking after 20 years in Italy. The rubber seals looked like they were finished but a good cleaning and lubricating with silicone spray has stopped the leaks and I haven't got around to replacing the rubbers yet.
The larger fixed ones are still ok.
My 36 has twin opening ports over the galley and chart table rather than the single long fixed ones which seem to be more common. I'd highly recommend them for the med.
Have only had 4 around the saloon table, plenty of room for another one or two. Have had six in the cockpit for lunch, very pleasant in the sun.
Had six aboard one night and five aboard for about a week. Was happier with four, maybe because of bags lying around saloon due to all under berth storage full with equipment on the journey home.

Regards,
Pat
 
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