Hi Sacha,
Firstly, I agree with Jeff that your keel studs and nuts look to be in remarkably good condition. If there are no signs of trouble with the hull to keel joint, I would be disinclined to scrape the paint off, which would risk starting corrosion. It's quite possible that they have been replaced at some stage since she was built.
The M41is the first of a series of 4 models based on the same hull (except for the addition of a sugar scoop to later models) the M41. M419, M422 and M425 built over the decade from 1981 to 1991. I very much doubt she was no. 419 as only 53 Moody 41s were built, so I suspect the model number for her successor, the M419, has been confused with her yard no. somehow. You can find some details of all the models here:
moodyowners.org
When buying, you first need to recognise her age - at 39 years I would hope all of her electronic gear and her engine have been replaced, perhaps twice for the electronics, if not you should factor the need for replacement into your price. Equally, her third suit of sails should by now be time expired, if they are 10 or more years old, they also will need replacing sooner rather than later. Also remember that much, particularly electrics, may have been modified by previous owners, never assume that the boat is as it left the yard in 1983.
Other points to look at:
- The chain plates (mounting points for the shrouds) are secured to marine ply bulkheads or part bulkheads below the decks. The slot in the deck through which the chainplates pass is sealed by a small stainless steel plate, held down by self tapping screws and the seal is made by some sealant beneath the plate. The sealant originally used tended to dry out and crack allowing water to get in - if that went unattended (not unlikely, as all is hidden behind the cabinets down below) the water can cause rot in the bulkhead seriously weakening the security of the chainplates. The Moody 41 also had another issue with one pair of chainplates - the chainplate position did not line up with a bulkhead below. to overcome this, the chainplate was cranked about 30mm below the deck and the means of fixing it to the bulkhead was not entirely adequate. Moody recommended a modification to overcome this issue which is available to MOA members on this site. The different layout down below on the 3 successor models overcame this problem as bulkheads (or part bulkheads) aligned with all the chainplates. so it was not necessary to crank any of them.
- The carbon steel keel studs, nuts and backing plates issue which you already know about - plenty of advice for MOA members available on this site.
- Cockpit teak on seats and sole. As built, this was teak veneered ply, which mostly started to fail at around 10 years of age. I would expect it has at some stage been replaced with solid teak or some other material. Solid teak is now very expensive so if it is in trouble you may consider replacing with one of the imitation teak products now available. The good ones look good and are far more durable than teak.
Otherwise, these are really well built boats. While no racers, they sail exceptionally well for cruising boats with a delightfully light helm and comfortable motion making them ideal long distance cruising boats.
I'm afraid I don't understand your question about height in the stern WC., perhaps a photo would help.
Peter.
