hanse yachts ag moody 41 ds

• Yachting Monthly
• Digital edition

Moody 41 DS: A deck saloon that pushes all boundaries

• March 10, 2021

Adopting a fresh approach to deck-saloon design, the Moody 41 DS is an exceptionally roomy cruiser that pushes a lot of boundaries, says David Harding

A genoa or off-wind sail can be flown from an extra furler in front of the self taking jib. Credit: David Harding

Product Overview

Moody 41 ds, manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

First test of the Moody 41 DS

Enthusiasts of deck saloons often reckon there’s something missing if a boat doesn’t have one.

After all, especially in higher latitudes, why wouldn’t you want to able to sit inside and see out?

Whether you’re enjoying the view of the anchorage or scanning the horizon on passage, you stay warm and dry and within easy reach of the cockpit – which is still there for when you want to be outside.

What’s not to like?

Pursuing this logic has led to the launch of many a deck-saloon yacht over the years, but none quite like the Moody 41 DS.

The aft seats will comfortably accommodate two. Sail controls are led to clutches and winches within easy reach of the helm stations. Credit: David Harding

This new Moody has taken the ‘one-level living’ approach found on multihulls and motorboats and applied it to a 12m (40ft) monohull.

You walk straight into the deck saloon from the cockpit with no steps or companionway to negotiate.

From inside, thanks to the full standing headroom and large window area, you have an uninterrupted view so you can cook, sit at the chart table or just relax while staying in touch with the outside world.

It’s the same concept as on the Moody 45 DS , which we tested in 2008, but most 40-something-foot deck-saloon cruisers (and even those substantially longer) have the deck saloon at a lower level than the cockpit.

Acres of space

In addition to being one of the few single-hulled sailing yachts in her size range to adopt the one-level approach, the Moody 41 DS draws attention to herself in a number of ways.

The hard-top has an opening centre section and extends seamlessly from the deck saloon to just forward of the wheels. Credit: David Harding

She offers a vast amount of space for a start. Bill Dixon’s team drew a boat with plumb ends, high freeboard, full forward sections, near-vertical topsides, a broad stern incorporating a soft chine, and the beam carried well forward, creating an enormous volume for the interior designers in Germany to play with.

They used it to create a seriously comfortable interior for a couple with an occasional guest or second couple.

No attempt was made to squeeze in extra berths or cabins, so the Moody 41 DS boasts living space and stowage on a scale that few boats of this length can match.

Another notable feature is the way she not only brings the outside in but also brings the inside out.

For example, a hard top extends aft from the deck saloon over the cockpit to a point just forward of the twin raised helm stations, the centre canvas section sliding away so you can sit under cover or in the sun as you choose.

If you want to be completely in the open, go to the bow, where you have a seating-cum-lounging area creating a sort of forward cockpit.

Or move all the way aft and lower the hinge-down bathing platform.

Few 40-footers offer as many separate spaces for socialising on deck.

Apart from the broad flat stem with its hard corners, there’s little to strike you as out of the ordinary in the context of the modern high-volume cruising yacht when you meet the Moody 41 DS for the first time.

The full bow sections will more than accommodate the slight loss of buoyancy from the bow thruster in its tunnel and support the weight of the optional 100m of stainless steel anchor chain, not to mention a full water tank under the berth in the owner’s cabin.

Helped by the broad stem, a deep forefoot allows the bow thruster to be mounted well forward for maximum effect.

Staying below the waterline and moving aft, we find an L-shaped iron fin keel of moderate proportions giving a draught of 2.14m (7ft).

The Yanmar diesel lives beneath the cockpit sole and is easy to reach from above from the front via the deck saloon and from the sides. Credit: David Harding

That’s unless you pay extra, as had the owners of Aurelia, our test boat, for the 1.85m/6ft 1in alternative.

Propulsion is via a saildrive some way forward of a single deep rudder.

Form following function

Back above the water, fold-down boarding steps neatly incorporated into the stainless tubular guardrails help you scale the topsides.

Ascent accomplished, you find sunken side decks protected by high bulwarks and extending all the way to the bow – again, just as on the 45.

Overhead is a deck-stepped, double-spreader, high-fractional rig.

A large locker in the bow provides ample stowage as well as access to the bow thruster and chain windlass. Credit: David Harding

It supports a self-tacking jib and a mainsail that, though slab-reefing as standard, is almost invariably going to be of the push-button in-mast persuasion as on our test boat.

Moving towards the stern you find twin wheels with seats right aft, above the forward lower section of the cockpit.

From here you can stand and see over the top of the deck saloon – though you will still have a blind spot ahead of the bow unless you’re well over 6ft tall – or, as is suggested, sit down and look through it.

Lifeboat stowage is beneath the helm seats in a space enclosed by the hinge-down bathing platform. Credit: David Harding

Structural advances have allowed so much more glass (toughened of course) and less pillar than would have been possible only a few years ago, so seeing through from the helm is easy enough most of the time.

The potential problem is reflection, especially if you’re on the starboard side and facing the double layer of reflections from the open door slid across inside the aft end.

Having to think about these things is an inevitable consequence of one-level living, because the deck saloon is all above deck whereas the Moody’s established rivals have theirs at a lower level.

On the Sirius 40DS , for example, it’s more than 2ft lower and designed to keep your eye-level the same whether you’re sitting in the cockpit, sitting inside or standing inside.

Those on the Nordship 40DS and Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42 are lower again, giving you a good view to either side from within but less of a view forward and little if any aft.

Mechanical advantage

Decisions made about what works best for visibility, it’s time to harness the power of the bow thruster and 57hp of Yanmar diesel to get under way.

Slab reefing is standard, but most owners will opt for the easy-to-handle in-mast furling. Credit: David Harding

This presented few challenges on the day of our test, even if windage would be a consideration in a breeze.

In open water the Yanmar pushed us along quietly and smoothly, 1,500rpm giving 6.3 knots and 2,100rpm giving 7 knots.

Hinging up the cockpit sole reveals the engine compartment with its smooth, wipe-clean mouldings and a good amount of space for access.

Setting sail is straightforward.

A Seldén Furlex 304 is standard for the self-tacker, as is the pair of electric Lewmar 45 primary winches.

You can use the port one to furl or reef the jib if you need to. Sails unfurled and a few tweaks made, we settled down to beat into a breeze that ranged between 12 and 22 knots.

At its upper end it was as much as the boat wanted under full main and jib, but the flat water presented de-powering options that wouldn’t have been on offer in a seaway and we were perfectly comfortable most of the time.

This is a boat that definitely likes to be sailed ‘full and by’ in the old parlance: sailing deep enough to keep the log reading in the mid-6s felt best for VMG and gave us a tacking angle of within 85° on the compass.

Matching the polars might have been easier with a folding prop instead of the fixed three-blader.

For a boat of this nature it was a creditable performance, even allowing for the near-ideal conditions.

Elvstrom’s FCL laminate upgrades from the standard Dacron sails are undoubtedly worth having, not least because the greater stability of the fabric allows the mainsail to carry a greater roach.

We also had the optional outer forestay and a genoa on an electric Furlex 304.

Given the Moody’s high windage, substantial wetted area and modest spread of sail with the self-tacker, extra canvas would be useful in under 10 knots or so.

Lifting up the sole by the galley reveals a utility-cum-stowage area, here accommodating a washing machine and second fridge. Credit: David Harding

Since we were enjoying fresh conditions, we waited to unfurl the genoa until the wind was approaching the beam, and then surged along with the log nudging over 8 knots at times.

In terms of general obedience, the Moody 41 DS was not found wanting.

The rudder is big enough to maintain grip beyond normal angles of heel for a boat like this, unlike on some earlier Moodys that I have known to spin round and face whence they came with little provocation.

Seeing the sails

Helming positions are comfortable from windward or leeward, giving good sight of the jib’s luff, and the feel through the Jefa steering is positive.

Our test boat had the optional Carbonautica composite wheels as a well-worth-having upgrade from stainless steel.

Given the nature of the boat, it would be churlish to moan too much about particular aspects of the performance and handling.

Nonetheless, as she’s designed to – and does – sail, a few observations are worth making.

Full hull sections and firm bilges generate internal space as well as form stability. Performance is good for a boat of this nature. Credit: David Harding

Visibility of the headsails when you’re furling or unfurling them from the cockpit isn’t great.

It’s is a function of having a full-height deck saloon and a hard top: you can’t have it all. Colour-coding the lines, led aft through tunnels to the clutches and winches forward of the helm stations each side, would make life easier.

On our test boat they were all white with variations of black and grey fleck.

As for sail trim, a self-tacking jib will always twist open too far when the sheet is eased.

Similarly, a mainsheet taken to a fixed point close below the boom will also lose its downward component – and there’s no traveller.

Sail-trimmers will need no further explanation.

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Still in the cockpit, perhaps my biggest grouse is the all-too-common absence of stowage for small items – binoculars, phones, drinks and so on that you want to be able to grab without having to dive into one of the cavernous lockers either side beneath the cockpit seats (and you have to be careful not to trap any lines near the hinges when you close the heavy lids again).

These lockers contain the two diesel tanks and leave copious amounts of space for everything else, while the liferaft lives just above the static waterline in the stern, below the helm seats, and would be easy to slide into the water with the bathing platform lowered.

A hatch in the stern gives access to the inside of the transom and is often awash, so you would want to be sure that it seals as it should.

Moving forward, the recessed side decks are easy to negotiate but there’s nothing to stop green water running all the way aft.

There’s little to interrupt your view from the deck saloon, which houses the galley and a large lounging area, as well as the chart table. Credit: David Harding

On the leeward side it should flow straight out through the stern.

From the weather deck, it seems likely that some of it will end up in the cockpit.

Drains here should get rid of it, though its arrival might come as a surprise.

Inside space on the Moody 41 DS

In the deck saloon we find the galley along the port side, a chart table forward to port (with the optional third helm station on our test boat) and a large seating area around the table to starboard.

Spend another £2,500 or so and you can lower the table at the push of a button to create an extra double berth or large lounging area.

Mahogany joinery is standard, the golden oak on Aurelia being among the options.

Along the port side of the deck saloon, the galley includes a double sink, a three-burner hob, a fridge with access from the front and top, and a large port opening to the cockpit. Credit: David Harding

A standard feature is the ‘cellar’: lifting the sole in the galley reveals steps down to a utility area complete with space for a washing machine and a second fridge as well as stowage and access to some of the electrical systems.

On the whole, access to the essential systems seems good throughout the boat, partly because of the very welcome lack of cramming.

Interior mouldings are used sparingly and much of the interior is formed by the joinery, allowing access to the outer hull.

Choosing a second heads to port saves having to share the owners en-suite. Credit: David Harding

Going forward from the deck saloon and dropping down a level, you find the main electrical panel to starboard by the steps, protected by a hinged door.

Straight ahead in the bow is the master cabin, complete with semi-island berth, stacks of stowage and hanging space, an abundance of natural light, more than generous headroom and, of course, a spacious en-suite heads and shower.

In the guest cabin you have a choice: twin berths, a double, or twins that convert to a double. Credit: David Harding

As standard, this heads is shared (via an extra door) with the guest cabin to starboard.

I suspect most owners will choose the additional heads and shower to port in a space otherwise used for walk-in stowage.

The owner’s cabin in the bow offers a semi-island berth, generous stowage and plenty of light. Credit: David Harding

The guest cabin can have a double berth, twins, or twins with an infill for a double conversion.

As the images we have featured show, the styling of the boat is modern without being garish and the detailing and quality of finish are hard to fault.

The test verdict

There’s no doubt that the Moody 41 DS does exactly what she was designed to do.

She offers a vast amount of accommodation, together with the sort of inside/outside living space never before seen on a boat of this size.

The full-height, walk-in deck saloon has its pros and cons.

The optional third helm station at the chart table means you can keep watch from inside. Credit: David Harding

Dixon and Moody made a bold move adopting this approach on a 40-footer but, by choosing not to follow the path trodden by most boats of similar size, they have created something strikingly different.

If you don’t like it, there are alternatives.

If you do like it, you will probably love it.

If the concept suits you, you’re unlikely to be disappointed by other aspects of the design.

Handling under both power and sail is straightforward on the whole and the ergonomics work well.

Quality of construction, finish and attention to detail all seem up to the mark too.

Would the Moody 41 DS suit you and your crew?

This is not a purist’s boat – and she’s not meant to be.

She’s a boat for people who, whatever their boating background, are likely to want to spend extended periods aboard, most probably in port or at anchor much of the time.

Nonetheless, while she might not conform with every blue-water sailor’s idea of what a long-distance cruiser should be, there’s no reason why she shouldn’t cross oceans.

View aft from the forecabin, showing the en-suite heads and the steps up to the deck saloon. Credit: David Harding

I even had a call from a well-known racing sailor looking for a different sort of boat.

At the other end of the spectrum, I would not be surprised if she attracted newcomers to sailing who like the idea of a boat with a conservatory and fail to understand why all boats don’t come with one.

She might also find favour among people who would otherwise be homing in on – or perhaps moving away from – owning a catamaran or motor boat, not wanting the beam of one or the running costs of the other.

With so much to offer, I suspect the Moody 41 DS is likely to find wide appeal.

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• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Moody 41DS review: Could this model win you over to the decksaloon lifestyle?

• November 19, 2020

With the introduction of its smallest decksaloon model, has Moody defined a new genre of 40ft cruisers? David Harding sails the Moody 41DS

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

Whatever your opinion of decksaloons, there’s something extremely civilised about being able to walk ‘inside’ from the cockpit, staying on the same level and looking out through big windows.

Of course decksaloons are nothing new, and they come in all shapes and sizes. The one on Moody’s 41DS, however, is likely to win new converts, including people who might otherwise be tempted by a catamaran or even a motorboat. Opening to the cockpit via a push-and-slide door, it gives you a virtually uninterrupted 360° view of the outside world.

You have the galley immediately next to the door, with a large hatch opening to the cockpit for extra light and ventilation. Descending to the depths to put the kettle on will become a distant memory.

Galley, dining-lounging area and chart table occupy the decksaloon, which has virtually unrestricted views all round

Moody’s newest decksaloon model is all about inside/outside living space – and a lot of each. A hard top covers the cockpit forward of the wheels, the centre canvas section sliding away so you can sit in the sun if you choose. Naturally you have a bathing platform at the stern and there’s also a seating-cum-lounging area in the bow, creating a sort of forward cockpit.

And down below? Well, the Moody is truly cavernous. Bill Dixon’s team drew a boat with plumb ends, high freeboard, full forward sections, near-vertical topsides, a broad stern incorporating a soft chine, and the beam carried well forward, creating a vast volume for the interior designers in Germany to play with. It has been used to create a supremely comfortable interior for a couple with occasional guest or second couple.

No attempt has been made to squeeze in extra berths or cabins, so the Moody boasts living space and stowage on a scale few boats of this length can match.

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Form following function

If the first time you see the Moody is from the bow, your eye will inevitably be drawn to the broad flat stem with its hard corners. That aside, there’s nothing particularly out of the ordinary about the hull shape in the context of a modern voluminous cruising yacht.

The full bow sections will more than accommodate the small loss of buoyancy from the bow thruster in its tunnel and support the weight of the optional 100m of stainless steel anchor chain, not to mention a full water tank under the berth in the owner’s cabin. Helped by the broad stem, a deep forefoot allows the bow thruster to be mounted well forward for maximum effect.

Staying below the waterline and moving aft, we find an L-shaped iron fin keel of moderate proportions giving a draught of 2.25m/7ft 5in. That’s unless you pay extra, as had the owners of Aurelia , our test boat, for the 1.85m/6ft 1in alternative. Propulsion is via a saildrive well forward of a single deep rudder.

Photo: David Harding

Back above the water, fold-down boarding steps neatly incorporated into the solid stainless steel tubular guardrails help you scale the topsides. The sunken side decks are protected by high bulwarks and extend all the way to the bow – just as on the original Moody 45DS that we tested back in 2008.

Overhead is a deck-stepped double-spreader rig of high-fractional configuration. It supports a self-tacking jib and a mainsail that, though slab-reefing as standard, is almost invariably going to be of push-button in-mast persuasion, as on our test boat.

Moving towards the stern you find twin wheels with seats right aft. The forward lower section of the cockpit sole is on the same level as the deck saloon’s. By now, with 15-20 knots blowing across a gloriously sunny Solent, I was keen to leave the marina behind and see how this voluminous shape behaved at sea.

Life on the ocean wave

As you’d expect of a modern yacht with a bow thruster (and the option of a stern thruster), manoeuvring presented no particular challenges. That said, windage would inevitably be a factor in a breeze.

In open water the 57hp of Yanmar pushed us along quietly and smoothly, 1,500 rpm giving 6.3 knots and 2,100 rpm 7 knots. Hinging up the cockpit sole reveals the engine set in its smooth, wipe-clean moulding and with a good amount of space all round. Additional access is from the front, via the decksaloon.

You have a choice of helming position under power or sail. Standing at the wheel to see over the coachroof might initially seem the obvious approach, though you will have a blind spot immediately forward of the bow unless you’re well over 6ft tall. Much of the time it’s better to look through the windows (all in toughened glass) from one of the helm seats.

Wide seats behind the twin wheels give a good choice of helming position. Photo: David Harding

Structural advances have allowed pillars to become smaller and window area much larger than would have been possible only a few years ago, so your visibility is largely unrestricted if you sit down.

The biggest challenge can be reflection in the glass, especially if you’re on the starboard side and facing the double layer of reflections from the open door slid across inside the aft end of the saloon. It helps to move around periodically, both from side to side and to alternate between standing and sitting. I found it useful on occasions to stand on the helm seat for a totally clear view over the coachroof – a position that’s unlikely to feature in Moody’s book of good practice.

Setting sail is straightforward enough (more on that later). A Seldén Furlex 304 is standard for the self-tacker, as is the pair of electric Lewmar 45 primary winches. You can use the port one to furl or reef the jib if you need to.

Visibility forward through the deck saloon from the cockpit is good, though reflections can be distracting. Photo: David Harding

With the main fully unfurled too and a few tweaks made, we settled down to beat into a breeze that ranged between 12 and 22 knots. At its upper end this was probably as much as the boat wanted under full sail, but the flat water gave us options that wouldn’t have been on offer in a seaway and we were perfectly comfortable most of the time.

This is a boat that definitely likes to be sailed ‘full and by’ in the old parlance: sailing deep enough to keep the log reading in the mid 6s felt best for VMG and gave us a tacking angle of within 85° on the compass. Matching the polars might have been easier with the help of a folding prop instead of the fixed three-blader.

For a boat of this nature it was a creditable performance, even allowing for the near-ideal conditions. Elvstrom’s FCL laminate upgrades from the standard Dacron sails are undoubtedly worth having, not least because the greater stability of the fabric allows the mainsail to carry a larger roach.

A large locker in the bow, with a hatch in the bottom for access to the bow thruster and forward for the anchor locker

We also had the optional outer forestay and a genoa on an electric furler. Given factors such as the Moody’s high windage and the modest spread of sail with the self-tacker, extra canvas would be welcome in under 10 knots or so. Instead of a genoa, you might favour a lighter sail designed for greater wind angles if you reckon on motoring upwind in light airs anyway.

Since we were enjoying moderately fresh conditions, we waited to unfurl the genoa until the wind was approaching the beam, and then surged along with the log nudging over 8 knots at times.

In terms of general obedience, the Moody was not found wanting. The rudder is big enough to maintain grip beyond what would be considered normal angles of heel for a boat like this, unlike on some earlier Moodys that have been known to spin round and face whence they came with little provocation.

A hatch in the stern between the helm seats houses the liferaft stowage, and also opens to the lowered bathing platform

Helming positions are comfortable from windward or leeward, giving good sight of the jib’s luff, and the feel through the Jefa steering is positive. Our test boat had the optional Carbonautica composite wheels, a well-worth-having upgrade from stainless steel.

Given the nature of the boat, it would be churlish to moan too much about particular aspects of the performance and handling. Nonetheless, as it’s designed to – and does – sail, a few observations are worth making. Visibility of the headsails when you’re furling or unfurling them from the cockpit isn’t great. It’s is a function of enjoying the protection of a decksaloon and a hard top: you can’t have it all ways.

Managing the rig

Colour-coding the lines, led aft through tunnels to the clutches and winches forward of the helm stations each side, would make life easier. On our test boat they were all white with variations of black and grey fleck.

Access from the stern to the steering mechanism is good

As for sail trim, a self-tacking jib will always twist open too far when the sheet is eased. Similarly, a mainsheet taken to a fixed point close below the boom (such as on top of the coachroof) will also lose its downward component. At times when sailing upwind we felt like de-powering slightly.

Dropping the traveller would normally be one of the first steps if you had one. Easing the mainsheet with this arrangement will principally twist the sail open even if you crank the vang on hard, and is a de-powering tool to be used in moderation. Realistically with the Moody, reefing the mainsail to the first batten will probably be the answer.

Still in the cockpit and looking at other aspects, perhaps my biggest grouse is the all-too-common absence of stowage for small items – binoculars, phones, drinks and so on that you want to be able to grab without having to dive into one of the cavernous lockers either side beneath the cockpit seats (and you have to be very careful not to trap any lines near the hinges when you close the heavy lids again).

The 57hp Yanmar lives beneath the cockpit sole, with additional front access

These lockers contain the two diesel tanks and leave copious amounts of space for everything else, while the liferaft lives just above the static waterline in the stern, below the helm seats, and would be easy to slide into the water with the bathing platform lowered. A hatch in the stern gives access to the inside of the transom and is often awash, so you would want to be sure that it seals as it should.

Moving forward, the recessed side decks are easy to negotiate but there’s nothing to stop green water running aft all the way to the cockpit. On the leeward side it should flow straight out through the stern. If you get green water on the weather deck, it seems likely that some of it will end up in the cockpit’s lower section. Drains here should get rid of the water, though its arrival might come as a surprise to people who weren’t expecting to get wet feet.

Inside living

In the decksaloon we find the galley along the port side, a chart table forward to port (with the optional third helm station on our test boat) and a large seating area around the table to starboard. Spend another £2,500 or so and you can lower the table at the push of a button to create an extra double berth or large lounging area. Mahogany joinery is standard, the golden oak on Aurelia being among the options.

Bright and airy in the galley and full visibility from the chart table

Lifting the sole board in the galley reveals steps down to the ‘cellar’, a utility area complete with space for a washing machine and a second fridge as well as stowage and access to some of the electrical systems. On the whole, access to the essential systems seems good throughout the boat, partly because of the general and very welcome lack of cramming. Interior mouldings are used sparingly and much of the interior is formed by the joinery, allowing access to the outer hull.

When you go forward from the decksaloon and drop down a level, you find the main electrical panel to starboard by the steps, protected by a hinged door.

Straight ahead in the full bow is the master cabin, complete with semi-island berth. There is stacks of stowage and hanging space, an abundance of natural light, more than generous headroom and a spacious en-suite heads and shower. As standard, this heads is shared (via an extra door) with the guest cabin to starboard. I suspect most owners will choose the additional heads to port in a space otherwise used for walk-in stowage.

Full bow sections, lots of light and plenty of height make for a big and bright owner’s cabin

The guest cabin can have a double berth, twins, or twins with an infill for a double conversion. As the pictures show, the overall styling is modern without being garish and the detailing and quality of finish are hard to fault.

Beautifully finished and designed for real cruising, the Sirius has a more traditional feel.

Price: €502,521 (ex. VAT)

Features pronounced chines, with twin rudders and an aft cockpit over one or two double cabins.

Price: €380,000 (ex. VAT)

With aft helms giving familiarity to monohull sailors, this voluminous cat sails well and offers plenty.

Price: €311,990 (ex. VAT)

It’s fascinating to see how Bill Dixon and Moody have developed the decksaloon yacht since the Eclipse range of the 1980s and 1990s. The changes in 30 years are quite remarkable. As for the question of whether the Moody 41DS is a lifestyle cruiser, the answer has to be a resounding ‘yes’. In some contexts such a description might be seen as a euphemism at best. In this case it’s what the boat is – simply and unashamedly. This is a boat for people who, whatever their boating background, want to spend extended periods aboard, most probably in port or at anchor much of the time. Purists, performance sailors and bluewater yachtsmen would be unlikely to give it a second glance unless planning a major change of direction in their sailing career. By contrast, it will provide a lot to think about for those who might alternatively be considering a catamaran or a motorboat for the space, one-level living and sheltered cockpit. So calling it a lifestyle cruiser is anything but an insult. It’s not that this boat won’t perform respectably well under sail, because it does, or that there’s any reason why it shouldn’t complete the ARC and sail home again too, because it could. It’s just that the Moody’s purpose and its strengths lie elsewhere, and its ‘strengths elsewhere’ are pretty impressive.

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Sailboat Review: Moody DS 41

• By Herb McCormick
• October 2, 2023

Back in the day, ­after Cruising World launched in the mid-1970s, a steady helping of rugged, well-built cruising boats—from a collection of British builders that included Westerly, Nicholson, Oyster, Contessa and many others—frequently appeared in these pages. Personally, I was most attracted to the Moody line, perhaps because one of its frequent naval architects, Angus Primrose, was a close friend of the magazine’s publisher and a regular contributor. Plus, having been founded by boatbuilder John Moody in the early 19th century, Moody struck me as the quintessential English shipyard.

Moody began to produce fiberglass sailboats in 1965, with Laurent Giles and Bill Dixon joining Primrose as the principal designers. During the next 30 years, Moody launched 39 models and knocked out more than 4,000 yachts, a notable run that concluded in 2005, when production ceased. 

In 2007, German marine conglomerate Hanse Yachts AG acquired the brand, and any concerns about the new landlords taking it all in a completely different direction were quickly put to rest when it named Dixon as the designer for all its new models.

Which brings us to the accomplished master’s latest creation, the inspired Moody DS41 (the initials stand for “deck saloon”). Excuse me while I gush, and please pardon the cliché, but the DS41 is solid proof that a seasoned dog like Dixon, who drew the lines for one of the more interesting new boats for 2023, still has some fancy tricks up his sleeve. Indeed, as a member of our most recent Boat of the Year judging panel, I joined my colleagues in unanimous agreement while naming the DS41 the year’s Best Full-Size Cruiser . 

Oyster may have been the company most responsible for the deck-saloon frenzy of this century’s early aughts, but Dixon has taken the concept to a fresh new level, borrowing elements from the contemporary catamaran craze to produce a monohull that shares several traits with modern cats. 

For starters, with its nearly 14-foot beam and walkaround deck, it’s a wide, accessible platform that’s easy to negotiate. Sliding patio doors open to a spacious cockpit with a retractable sun awning that can be open or shut depending on conditions. As with a cat, those doors, when opened, allow a seamless transition from the saloon to the great outdoors, essentially creating a single-level open floor plan on the main deck. Forward, a sun pad on the foredeck (with an adjustable headrest) converts to a bench seat. It’s hard to believe that this is all happening in a 41-foot footprint.

To my eye, it’s a quite good-looking vessel. At the pointy end, the plumb bow maximizes the waterline length and is home to a pair of headsails: a code-zero-type reacher on the forward stay and a self-tacking jib on the after one. A trio of hull windows rests under a substantial bulwark, capped by an impressive stainless-steel handrail. The low-slung coachroof has a wraparound window and is carried well aft in service of the aforementioned cockpit awning. The obligatory hard chines are barely noticeable with everything else going on, but they are responsible for the wide beam that’s carried well aft, as well as the generous interior volume. The twin wheels (with a pair of rudders) are positioned well aft and outboard, permitting easy egress between them to access the drop-down teak swim platform. (Did I mention that all this is contained within 41 feet?)

The saloon is well-thought-out, with a straight-line galley to port facing an L-shaped settee and dining table to starboard. Just forward of the galley is a navigation station that included, on our test boat, the optional autopilot and engine controls for inside steering and operation when the weather turns funky. It’s a wonderful feature that should be at the top of the list of additions for any owner. 

On the lower deck, there are a quartet of interior layouts, all of them two-stateroom configurations (this is a couple’s boat, I’d say, with room for occasional guests). The master stateroom forward is the centerpiece of all four accommodations plans, while the guest stateroom can be configured with twin berths or a double. A wide choice of colors for the hull and upholstery are available, and the interior furniture options include oak, teak, and mahogany.

My fellow Boat of the Year judge Ed Sherman was equally smitten by the details: “The boat was equipped with all high-end Victron electrical gear and done to a high standard. I particularly liked the nearly 1-inch-round handrail that takes the place of traditional lifelines around the entire deck. Because the engine is under the cockpit sole and pretty much isolated from the interior deckhouse, our sound test while motoring was among the quietest in our group at 60 decibels at 2,000 rpm while making 6.8 knots, and 66 decibels at 2,400 rpm while making 8.3 knots.”

Collectively, what blew us judges away was something unexpected: the stellar sailing performance. “I expected this boat to sail like a typical motorsailer, i.e., not so well,” Sherman wrote. “Boy, was I wrong.” 

Judge Mark Pillsbury seconded that sentiment: “The most surprising aspect of the Moody DS41 wasn’t the near-360-degree view from the saloon or the creative use of interior space. … No, it was the sailing performance, which had us clipping along at 8 knots in about 13 knots of breeze.” A nod here goes to the team at Quantum Sails, which delivered the superb inventory on our test boat. 

Truthfully, however, what sealed the deal for all of us was that the new owner of the Moody DS41 that we sailed was on board for our sea trials, and his joy was infectious. Jim Eisenhart is a vastly experienced California sailor who’d decided it was time to move over to the “dark side” and purchase a trawler for what may well be his last boat. But the combination of that inside steering station and easy, fantastic sailing was too hard to resist. 

And he was clearly quite pleased with his decision. As well he should be. The Moody DS41 speaks to the sailor in all of us.

Moody DS41 Specifications

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boot Düsseldorf : Novelties I: Moody DS 41 - Deck saloon boat from Hanseyachts

Fridtjof Gunkel

 ·  18.01.2020

With the Moody DS 41, Hanseyachts AG has brought a world premiere to the Rhine. It is the smallest ship in Moody's deck saloon series, which conceptually follows the larger sisters DS 45 (test in YACHT 8/2008) and DS 54. Even across shipyards, there is hardly a smaller deck saloon yacht. The special feature: The guest area of the cockpit at the permanently installed table is at the same level as the saloon, which, like the galley and navigation, is housed in the fully glazed deckhouse. This room layout is usually reserved for catamarans or so-called monomarans such as the new Sunloft 47 from Jeanneau.

As an option, an inside helm station can be installed in the navigation centre, which is raised again. The two outside helm stations are slightly elevated at the very stern. The guest cockpit is protected by a semi-rigid GRP textile roof at deckhouse level. All lines, sheets and halyards are led inside the deckhouse aft to the winches on the high coaming directly in front of the double steering columns.

The companionway is located just behind the mast position. The owner's cabin with island bed is located forward, while the guest cabin with a choice of two single berths is located in the centre of the starboard side. In the standard version, there is only one shared wet room located between the two cabins. On the port side there is a large space that is used for stowage or, for example, for installing a washing machine and a generator and which is accessible from above. Large additional storage space is available in the unfinished stern.

The 12.52 metre long, 4.22 metre wide and, at 11.2 tonnes, quite heavy ship carries 83 square metres of sail area with the standard self-tacking jib. This gives the design by British designer Bill Dixon a sail carrying capacity of 4.1 (dimensionless value), which, in keeping with its appearance, identifies the ship as a pure cruiser. A genoa is possible, even in addition.

The Moody DS 41 costs 474,810 euros including VAT. The standard version is finished in mahogany; alternatives are oak and teak. As an extra, the customer can choose between various hull colours and deck coverings.

Hall 16, Stand B38

For comparison: The 40 DS from Sirius

The bigger sister: Moody 54 DS

BM 40 Clipper (pdf)

Nordship 430 DS (pdf)

Moody DS 54 (pdf)

Sirius 40 DS (pdf)

Hanse 418 (pdf)

Nordship 40 DS (pdf)

Moody 45 Classic (pdf)

Moody 45 DS (pdf)

Sun Odyssey 410 (pdf)

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NEW Moody 41DS - Deck Saloon

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MODEL DETAILS

Specifications.

• Living areas – so much space and much of it on the same level
• Easy sail controls – simplicity personified
• High quality of the furnishings and fittings.
• Feeling pampered is part of the vibe

The Moody Decksaloon range provides a solution that means you don’t have to decide one way or the other. The yacht’s ‘monomaran’ hull design, with its generous beam and high topsides, provides an elevated deckhouse-style living area at cockpit level, providing the indoor-outdoor single-level flow of a launch. Maximising the use of the boat’s considerable volume, the head and cabins are forward and below, yacht-style.

The DS41 is the ‘little sister’ of the range, a touch over 11m long on the waterline with a 4.2m max beam, and the option to have either one or two heads as well as two cabins.

The owners of this new cruiser wanted to get back to a more luxurious sail-powered cruising lifestyle after years of launching and trailer boating. Looking around for a boat which would satisfy both their urge to cruise under sail and enjoy powerboat-style convenience and comfort, they happened across the Decksaloon range and realised it ticked all the boxes.

The major point of difference between this boat and a regular cruising yacht is the high-profile deckhouse, which gives the yacht the look of a much larger pilothouse cruiser. However, its carefully styled lines matched with high topsides creates all this extra space without looking bulky or top-heavy.

While originally an English brand with a nearly 200-year pedigree, Moody yachts are now produced in Germany by Hanse. The concept of ‘living on one level’ has been a key point of difference for Moody since the 1960s, and certainly offers something different to the usual cruising yacht experience, with its clear division of cockpit and ‘down below’ saloon space.

We step aboard at the DS41’s home at Pine Harbour Marina east of Auckland. There’s a stainless steel ladder that unfolds out of the lifelines on the port side so you can easily board from the dock. When at the marina or in passage-making mode the inflatable tender lives on davits at the stern; when at anchor the transom folds down to create a boarding platform with telescoping ladder.

There’s a wet-locker space under the aft deck, accessible when the platform is down, for stashing away wetsuits and dive gear. The split Selden backstay which runs out to the aft corner on each side means there’s no rigging in the way when boarding, or swimming or fishing off the stern.

The twin wheels are positioned slightly higher than the cockpit, each on a pedestal mounted with a B&G nav screen and other instruments. Throttle controls for the (up-spec’d) 80hp Yanmar with saildrive (accessed through a hatch under the cockpit table), the autopilot and bow thruster are at hand at the starboard helm station.

While the wheels are positioned well aft, there’s plenty of room to move around behind them, and a large, upholstered seat on either side across the transom. A traditional gimballed compass is mounted at the aft end of the cockpit table, easily visible from either wheel.

The large cockpit is a step down from the ‘business end’ of the boat, with cushioned seating down each side and a table with fold-out leaves. The aft-facing wall of the saloon is completely glazed with a grey-tinted glass, with a push-and-slide door which merges indoors with outdoors.

This is the core of the Decksaloon concept: the living space is at cockpit level, and movement between the two is seamless. There’s no descending three or four steps into a traditional saloon ‘down below’: the living space here is more like that on a launch, elevated and glazed all around, for maximum connection with the outdoors.

One of the most useful features of the large, enclosed cockpit is its pull-out roof, a canvas awning which slides out along fixed arms to create a space sheltered from the sun or a bout of summer rain. There is also lighting under the fixed sides of the cockpit cover to make this a practical entertaining or reading spot after dark.

Another advantage of the raised saloon is the huge amount of storage space it generates: the area under the cockpit seats is huge, and there are large lockers accessed under the cabin sole, too. By electing not to have a generator, there’s room for the owners to fit two extra 150-litre water tanks, too, for extended cruising trips.

Although this is a yacht, the decks and cockpit aren’t dominated by sailing paraphernalia; all the sheets and lines run under the deck and pop out aft of the cabin. Four winches, two of them powered, sit on the cockpit coaming, the primaries within easy reach of the helm if the boat is being sailed shorthanded. The yacht has a German mainsheet system so the main can be sheeted on either side, and tacking is a simple process.

When at anchor, the crew can also enjoy the stepped-down seating area on the large foredeck. Speaking of anchors, this boat is fitted with a flash new Vulcan anchor, the latest iteration of the highly-respected Rocna, distributed by Absolute Marine. (It’s the first one in New Zealand, and the owner is justly proud of it.) It can be controlled not only from the helm but also with a wireless remote unit. There’s a large chain locker up in the bow, aft of the Maxwell windlass, which is home to fenders and the deck wash.

Heading inside, the galley is ranged aft to port, with a two-burner gas hob and in-bench fridge/freezer. There’s also a large opening window on gas struts above the sink and benchtop in the galley on the port side, for ventilation and communication between the two areas. (There’s a well-thought-out glass upstand at the aft edge of the bench, so things don’t drop off the end or out the window.) These owners have opted to add extra refrigeration, making use of some of the storage space generated by the decksaloon concept.

To starboard is an U-shaped seating area around the dining table. An adjustable table which can be lowered to create another double berth is an option. As on all good yachts, there’s a wine rack built into the base of the table.

If you’re motoring or motor sailing the boat can also be driven from inside, at the chart table area forward of the galley on the port side. Because of its elevated position, there is also great all-round visibility from here, plus a series of long hatches and windows in the centre of the roof through which to keep an eye on the sails.

Moving forward, you finally get the sense of going ‘down below’, into the more private spaces of the yacht. There are two generous cabins: a master in the bow and a twin to starboard, which share a semi-ensuite head and shower room positioned between them.

There is an option to have a second head on the port side, but the owner opted to have this space fitted out as a utility and storage room, with extra refrigeration. Because of the high topsides there is ample headroom down here, and lots of light thanks to through-hull windows and overhead hatches.

While the boat was originally a lockdown purchase, due to worldwide delays it didn’t arrive here until winter this year. The owners have been out for some shakedown cruises but were ready for a decent ‘sea trial/holiday’ over the summer. Having the yacht at Pine Harbour means it’s only a short trip out to the cruising grounds around Motuihe and the bottom end of Waiheke, and only a little further to get over to the Coromandel.

We head out of the marina on a suitably moody day (pun intended). After a windy few days (months?), it’s surprisingly glassy as we motor out into the Tāmaki Strait, so we anchor up at the southeastern end of Motuihe, giving the Rocna its first splash as we wait for something to happen. Soon enough the breeze starts to fill in, and it’s sails up and off around the island to see how she sails.

The mainsail furls into the mast, which has two pairs of large swept spreaders. The foresails are ready to go on furlers as well: a small, self-tacking jib which comes as standard, and a larger overlapping genoa which the owners had custom-made here by Evolution Sails. An asymmetric downwind sail can also be flown.

The setup means minimal effort is required to get the sails deployed and be on your way. There’s not really any need to leave the comfort of the cockpit, but for times when you do need to go forward, the side decks are enclosed by a solid bulwark and there are substantial lifelines for added safety.

The only downside of having both jibs rigged permanently on furlers at the bow is that you have to furl the overlapper to tack it, but it’s not like we’re racing: it’s more likely to be deployed on a long, lazy reach in one direction, then dropped on arrival, rather than used to tack upwind.

The Moody 41DS was named Cruising World magazine’s 2023 Boat of the Year in the full-size cruiser class, with the judges praising not only the interior space and views from the living areas, but also its sailing performance, with judge Herb McCormick describing it as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”.

It was a bit light for us to really investigate how she sails for ourselves, but even in less than 10 knots we had her slipping along nicely at around 7.5 knots, feeling confident and well-behaved on the helm and with all sailing systems well thought-through and easy to use. Despite her launch-like accommodation, she’s definitely a yacht, and has been designed to sail rather than just be motored around.

Visibility from the helm is good, despite my short stature. The owner is tall enough to look over the cabin top while steering; I have to take the more traditional route of sitting at the helm and looking down the side decks, but either way there’s no trouble seeing what’s ahead.

And what’s ahead for this Moody is hopefully many happy hours of cruising, maximising that combination of elevated interior space, simple sailing systems and a comfortable cockpit from which to watch the world go by. 

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Moody 41 Decksaloon

Moody 41 Decksaloon Details

Like every Moody before it, the 41 Decksaloon is ground-breaking. Never has the philosophy of living on one level been implemented more relentlessly than in the new Moody DS41. The elegant deckhouse featuring 360° panorama glazing makes you feel as if you are living in the lap of luxury, whatever the weather. With its exemplary suitability for all weather conditions, the Moody Decksaloon 41 lives up to the Moody tradition in every way. The new Moody Decksaloon 41 – a masterpiece of the art of modern boat-building and engineering.

Describing the 41DS Interior:

The architecture of freedom - It is not only in the deck saloon that all limitations appear to dissolve. The same captivating atmosphere also awaits you in the owner's cabin. There, it is created by the extraordinarily large window in the foredeck as well as extra-large hull windows.

Sophisticated all-weather concept - Weather conditions can surprise a sailor – but not with the Moody DS41. Thanks to its comprehensive, high-quality equipment, you will be ready for anything. A protected inside helm is located on the port side of the deck saloon. Sail to the place of your dreams, whether north or south. The DS41 can be equipped with auxiliary heating or air conditioning in accordance with your wishes.

Light, uncluttered, spacious - The interior of the DS41 exudes modern, warm minimalism and offers a generous amount of space everywhere. The cosy U-shaped sofa with the large saloon table and the linear galley create a spacious ambience in the living area. Added to this are the cleverly integrated stowage spaces. The extra-large three-door wardrobe in the owner's cabin is a masterstroke.

Make your yacht unique - Design something that is unique and full of character from the customisable equipment options. Fashion the interior from a choice of exquisite materials and elegant colours. Pinpoint your yacht's sailing characteristics, from the sailcloth right down to the keel. Configure your on-board equipment – including the engine, sound system and navigation instruments.  

Describing the exterior of the 41DS :

83 m² sail area, high rig - A high-performance sail plan gives the Moody DS41 enormous potential for speed. The double forestay that comes as standard makes it easier for you to change the headsail. The upper shrouds are fastened to the freeboard deck and the lower shrouds to the superstructure, enabling you to pass comfortably between them. All those not at the helm can enjoy the cruise in the large, protected cockpit area. There can be no doubt that the Moody DS41 offers you the ideal conditions for an unforgettable sailing experience – right down to the smallest detail.

Lifestyle á la Moody - Via the walkaround deck, you can easily reach the sunbed on the foredeck. If you want a leisurely lunch in the shade after sunbathing, simply go back into the cockpit and extend the Bimini top. All you need to do then is fold out the teak table and take a seat on the soft upholstery. That is luxury living – on board the Moody DS41.

PATIO PUSH & SLIDING DOOR - You can turn the cockpit into an extended living area in next to no time. What's more, you can do so in a classy fashion whilst saving space and using just one hand with the innovative PATIO PUSH & SLIDING DOOR.

Moving – even at anchor - From whichever angle you look at the DS41, its silhouette embodies modern sportiness. The slender bow with a steeply pitched stem and the convex sheerline – it all reveals its dynamic character. The hull windows exhibit the clear geometry that is typical of Moody. With its sweeping roof line, the deck saloon fits in seamlessly with the overall aesthetic.

Northwest 52 Details

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Moody Decksaloon 41

A very exciting yacht that made her debut at the 2020 Düsseldorf Boat Show and received with roaring success by the yachting press and potential purchasers. This new deck saloon model broadens the popular Moody decksaloon range and she takes all the aspects and features of her bigger sisters but all packed into 41ft.

The demand for decksaloon range has grown and the DS41 oozes desirable features that enhance life on the water. One level living allows for panoramic views wherever you are and no matter the weather. Seamless transition between cockpit and saloon via sliding patio doors extends the living area.

If the weather has caught you off guard, she can be helmed from the comfort and safety of her internal helm. The linear galley looks out to port providing a truly unique cooking experience! The saloon sits opposite to starboard and is raised, providing fantastic views. The yacht can be equipped with heating or air-con depending on your needs ensuring the decksaloon is always a comfortable place to be no matter the weather.

Down below she has a roomy hull, two cabins and the option of two heads. The cabins are wonderfully spacious and your new yacht will be a pleasure to spend extended time on-board. If you decide not to opt for the 2nd head you will gain another large storage locker.

Back on deck, she has a self-tacking jib and optional furling genoa allowing for a variety of sail plan options which are all controlled from the comfort and safety of the cockpit. To add to her performance there is the option of a gennaker in a plethora of colors to suit your personality. The mainsheet is stored safely out of the way on top of the decksaloon and all lines are run back to the cockpit. The twin helms are covered by a retractable bimini keeping you protected from the sun and elements if you are helming externally. There is a huge amount of storage, with a lazarette, two big cockpit lockers and a pantry/cellar storage area under the galley sole. Out on deck you feel secure with solid guardwires and raised bulwarks.

This popular galley up and one level living will make sure after sailing socializing is fun for everyone!

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• Moody Yachts - Moody Decksaloon 41
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Moody Aft Cockpit 41

The Moody AC41 took traditional yacht-building into the modern era, combining a classic flat superstructure with comfortable handling and exclusive on-board luxury . The yacht has been designed for speedy yet comfortable cruising, but it is just as ideally equipped for marina life, short hops along the coast and long voyages.

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New Yachts on the Market: Latest Racing & Cruising Designs

In the market for a racing or cruising yacht? It’s been another bumper year for the boatbuilding industry… Sam Jefferson casts his eye over the latest launches.

New yachts: cruising, wauquiez 55.

Wauquiez is a marque that has been much revered in cruising circles since they first started building elegant cruisers back in the 1960s. Their new 55 boat is definitely intriguing and one of the striking features is the centre cockpit with the helm offset to port under a well protected solid plexiglass sprayhood.  Another interesting feature is the option of a swing keel which gives you an almighty 4.2m of draft when lowered and 1.6m when raised. Aside from that, the boat dares to be different by supplying two Volvo D2 engines as standard.  The interior looks extremely spacious and Lombard has capitalised on full forward sections and plenty of beam to ensure that there is a huge interior space. In addition, the centre cockpit allows for a huge aft owner’s cabin.

wauquiez.com

Moody 48 DS

Moody has been under German ownership as part of the Hanse group for many years now and offers a different sort of cruiser in quality deck saloon cruisers which are designed by Judel/Vrolijk. The new 48 is the first new launch they have made since their 41 2017 and fits between the Moody 45 and 54 in their range. As you’d expect, this is a boat that is big on space and comfort, featuring a big, beamy hull with twin rudders. Performance has not been neglected, however, because she sports a generous rig to push her 21,000kg displacement through the water. 

Inspirationmarine.co.uk

Hanse Yachts broke with go to designer of many years Judel/Vrolijk a couple of years back and this was the catalyst behind the launch of a new generation of Hanses designed by the French team of Berret/Racoupeau. In addition to a marked change in styling, with inverted ‘dreadnought bow and hard chines aft giving the boats a more angular look, the main drive seemed to be to up the quality of the boats down below – which was certainly achieved. The new 590 is their biggest boat yet of this new generation and offers easy sailing on a big scale. The new boat features an optional hard top bimini, a tender garage and acres of space down below. The boat will be officially unveiled at Cannes Boat show and promises to be a head turner.

New Cruising Yacht: Maxus 35

Maxus Yachts is a Polish company that made its name. building small trailerable yachts to sail on the Masurian lakes not far from the Russian border. Now the company has moved up a size bracket and their new 35 is bigger and aimed more at offshore sailing than previous designs. The result is a spacious yacht with striking styling and a semi deck saloon arrangement that bathes the saloon with natural light. It all points to promises decent performance and accommodation at a highly competitive price. 

northman.pl

French manufacturer Dufour has really pumped up the volume with its latest generation of yachts. The new Umberto Felci designed 44 follows on from the 37 and 41 which have already drawn plaudits thanks to their remarkable ability to create internal volume without looking overly dumpy. The 44 continues in this vein boasting plentiful beam aft and full sections at the bow above the waterline. The interior is positively palatial and there is a choice of three or four cabin layouts.

dufour-yachts.com

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 is the successor to the 349 which was actually launched way back in 2013. At 34’1” excluding the bowsprit she is the starter boat in the range and viewed by the French manufacturer as offering a gateway into sailing for young families.

The boat is designed by Marc Lombard and Piaton Yacht design and, as you’d expect the lines are bang up to date, offering plenty of internal volume via fuller forward sections. Like its predecessor the 349, the new boat is available with a swing keel – a real boon in UK waters. The interior is really quite large and there is the option of twin doubles aft plus a double forward. 

jeanneau.com

Elan GT6 Explorer

The Elan GT6 was a very stylish fast cruiser from drawing board of rob Humphreys that has been very well received since its launch. The GT6 Explorer is, as you can imagine a variation on this theme but the manufacturers have identified rthe potential of the boat as a fast blue water cruiser and built on that. As such, the boat fuel and water tankage has been boosted as has battery power. There is also the option of an all electric version utilising Oceanvolt’s pioneering technology. 

elan-yachts.com

It has been some years since Danish manufacturers X Yachts realised that if they offered a de tuned Xc cruising range alongside its out and out performance yachts, it would massively enlarge its customer base. The project was a huge success and the Xc range is now into its second generation with the launch of the Xc47. The new launch is one of the first since X Yachts divorce from founder and chief designer Niels Jeppesen and the result is a yacht that leans heavily towards the cruising market, featuring something not far from a deck saloon. The hull lines feature plenty of beam aft and there has obviously been a very conscious effort to up the cruising ante. That said, the boat retains a powerful rig and weight has been kept reasonably modest.

x-yachts.com

New Yachts: Racing

Cf 580 ran 8.

Ran 8 is one of the latest launches from the drawing board of Shaun Carkeek and is a boat that has already cut a dash by taking overall and line honours in the RORC Channel Race. This is a boat that comes from the same mould as Oystercatcher XXXV, launched to much fanfare in 2021. The new boat boasts an uprated water ballast system which is designed to reduce the number of crew required from eight to seven. In addition to this, electric propulsion has been introduced. 

The boat is not designed to one particular set of rules and the main aim is simply to design a boat that will go as fast as possible in a range of conditions. The result is a boat optimised for offshore conditions, in which she will be somewhat quicker than a TP52. 

carkeekdesignpartners.com

Jeanneau Sun Fast 30

The Sun Fast 30 is a VPLP project who have teamed up with Multiplast to produce a strict one design yacht at what Jeanneau feels is a competitive price. The new boat features full forward sections married to light (2,700kg) displacement, twin rudders and flat aft sections to provide a boat that planes easily and early. The boat is available in two versions: One Design and Club. The one design version features a carbon mast mainsheet track and uprated electronics pack. The Club version has an aluminium mast and a bridle for the mainsheet. The aim is to make it more affordable to club racers.

Clubswan 28: Racing

The Clubswan 28 is a something of a break from tradition for Nautor Swan who have never produced a yacht this small. She rounds off their ClubSwan range and is a pure one design racer set up for four crew. At 1000kg, this Juan Kouyoumdijan design is going to be fast but she appears to be much less technical than boats higher up the range, eschewing foils and keeping things as simple as possible. There is no accommodation.

nautorswan.com

Reichel/Pugh 56 Vasara

The design house of Reichel/Pugh has produced some memorable yachts over the years and  the design brief here was for a fast, competitive yacht that was also comfortable and luxuriously appointed down below. There are a number of interesting touches. Most notably, a split backstay and square topped mainsail can be switched out for a single backstay and standard main when cruising. The keel has a substantial 4.1m depth but this can be raised to 2.4m for entering port. The interior is constructed almost exclusively out of carbon but a thin veneer of wood is placed over this to soften things up. The result is a sleek and versatile racer/cruiser.

reichel-pugh.com

New Yachts: Bluewater Cruisers

Bestavaer 36.

Bestavaer Yachts is a Dutch boatbuilder specialising in steel construction. They are reputed for building handsome steel ‘go anywhere’ yachts, generally in the 50-70’ bracket. The announcement of an all new 36 footer is therefore something of a surprise and not an unwelcome one. The new boat marries a big rig with a decent displacement ot provide a boat that is both seaworthy but none too slow. As with her bigger sisters, the 36 is designed to be a very practical ctuiser and is therefore equipped with a swing keel which will allow her to take the ground when required and the draft is a mere 0.7m with the board up and a substantial 2.4m with the board down.

bestavaer.com

Boreal Yachts sit in that very French cadre of utilitarian aluminium ‘go anywhere’ yachts much loved by soul sailors who idolise Moitessier and dream of communing with the albatross. Yet these soul sailors seem to have developed a taste for a spot of luxury too and the Boreal 70 is typical of the latest iteration of these hardy swing keel boats in that she is huge and surprisingly well appointed, boating such luxuries as a dishwasher should you so wish to choose that option. Sacre bleu! Nevertheless, this is a tough go anywhere cruiser which is at home in the tropics or the high latitudes. 

boreal-yachts.com

Hallberg Rassy 69

Swedish manufacturer Hallberg Rassy is an institution in the world of blue water cruising. Yet it’s an institution that isn’t afraid to evolve and many were shocked when the boatbuilder started to introduce twin rudders and broader aft sections to its designs. The 69 is another step forward, being the largest boat ever built by the Swedes and nudging towards the cadre of pocket superyacht. The boat is designed by German Frers and features a big rig and contemporary lines familiar to those who are familiar with the most recent launches from the yard. The difference with the 69 is she is just a lot bigger and more luxurious. Far not though, the trademark Hallberg Rassy armchairs are still an option.

hallberg-rassy.com

Contest 63CS

Dutch boatbuilder Contest is famed for building high quality blue water cruisers and their all new 63CS looks straight out of that playbook. Designed by their go to nabal architects Judel/Vrolijk, this is a big, luxurious cruising yacht that will boat good performance particularly for those who love a spot of tradewind sailing. This is a centre cockpit yacht with a relatively modest 31,900kg displacement and a decent sail area pointing to a very versatile long distance cruiser.

contestyachts.com

New Yachts: Performance Cruisers

Grand soleil blue.

Italian manufacturer Grand Soleil seems to have been producing ever larger cruiser/racers so news of the launch of the Grand soleil Blue, a 30’ weekender is welcome. The boat is very interesting as it is the first fully recyclable production yacht built in Italy and features biodegradable resins in construction meaning that the boat ban be separated out and re used at the end of the boats life. The boat also features and electric motor and sails made of recycled materiels. The design is clearly performance oriented but there is pleasant and stylish weekend accommodation.

grandsoleil.net

Saffier SL 46

Dutch manufacturer Saffier Yachts has specialised in turning out fast, stylish weekend sailers with an emphasis on performance and ease of use. That is, until now. By launching the new SL 46 the boatbuilders has moved into an altogether new realm as this boat is unquestionably a cruiser/racer capable of offshore passages. This is an intriguing move, as it pitches Saffier against a plethora of established operators such as Grand Soleil, Italia Yachts, even Beneteau and Jeanneau. Anyway, the SL 46 looks the part, featuring modern aggressive styling couple to a big rig, light displacement and a deep, T-shaped keel. The interior looks stylish and luxurious and the boat is available with the option of a tender garage – something of an oddity in a 46 footer. 

saffieryachts.com

Tofinou 7.9

The new Tofinou 7.9 follows in the vein of other yachts in their range in that she is a performance oriented modern classic day sailer. As the name suggests, the boat is 7.9m making her the smallest boat in the range and she is available with a swing keel or fixed T shaped keel. The boat is available with an electric outboard or a diesel inboard and offers a blend of lustrous woods and light carbon laminates which gives the boat a classy air while also promising exhilarating sailing. There is also a small double berth forward if you do want to spend a night afloat.

tofinou.com

La Rochelle based RM Yachts has made a name for itself by being the last company standing when it comes to the mass production of epoxy/ply yachts. This is partly because it’s hideously complicated to put together an epoxy/ply yacht. The result, however, is a lightweight yacht that is stiff and strong. RM has made a name for building sporty cruiser/racers with the option of lift, fixed or bilge keels. The 1080 is a welcome mid sized addition to their range. Designed by Marc Lombard, the 1080 features plenty of beam aft, fullish forward sections and generous sail area. The looks are distinctive and the cockpit layout is innovative plus interior space is impressive.

rm-yachts.com

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Moody Decksaloon 45

The Moody Decksaloon 45  is designed to make sailing a pleasure. It was the first of these ground breaking deck saloon yachts to be created and they have been selling with rave reviews since their first launch in 2008. All the splendid features of her smaller and larger sisters was learnt from the DS45. She sails fantastically and much better than most of the eagerly awaiting owners and yachting press expected due to her fantastic Bill Dixon hull design, which has carried on throughout the fleet.

The catch phrase of the DS45 was that the sun always shines down below and that is certainly true with her unique one level living. With this concept, you enter the cabin via large sliding doors and the saloon and galley are bathed in 360-degree natural light and great visibility. A forward facing chart table with optional throttle controls allow you to do a watch from inside. Going forward and below gives access to the large owner’s stateroom, and two guest cabins, with two heads and stall showers. You can alter the interior layout to suit your preference and style, one guest cabin can become an office, or even a lower galley, giving more space that is social in the saloon.

Up on deck the self-tacking jib ensures easy and safe handling for a small crew, supported by powerful winches. The yacht can be easily maneuvered from the helm station and all sails also easily adjustable from the helm position as well. Everyone on-board will feel very safe thanks to the solid continuous bulwark and guardrail, which offers all round security when moving around on deck. Protected by a sliding bimini, the large cockpit serves as the ideal social area in all weather conditions. A large swim platform lowers and gives access to the dinghy storage locker. When raised the platform helps keep the cockpit safely enclosed.

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Moody 48 Decksaloon

Moody 48 Decksaloon Details

The Moody DS 48 embodies the captivating heritage of British seafaring while simultaneously setting new standards for modern luxury. This yacht seamlessly integrates the galley, saloon, and cockpit on a single level, offering a spacious feel akin to a catamaran, yet without sacrificing the comfort and exceptional sailing performance characteristic of a monohull.

Thanks to an impressive 360-degree panoramic view from the deck saloon, you can always keep an eye on your surroundings. The exclusive forward dinette is specially crafted for moments of relaxation and tranquility. Furthermore, the Moody DS 48 pampers you with a magnificent owner's cabin and two extraordinary guest cabins. Each cabin boasts a private bathroom and separate shower, offering luxurious personal havens. Experience the Moody DS 48, a masterpiece where tradition and innovation intertwine flawlessly, and every detail reflects the highest standards of craftsmanship.

EXTERIOR FEATURES

• Sporty Rig for Agile Sailing :  The Moody DS48 is designed with a sporty rig, ensuring agile and responsive sailing in a variety of conditions. This feature enhances the yacht's performance, making every voyage thrilling yet stable.
• Integrated Bathing Platform with Hidden Amenities : From the helmsman area, there's direct access to the expansive bathing platform, discreetly housing a 2.8m long dinghy, inclusive of crane equipment. This feature adds a layer of luxury and functionality, making the Moody DS48 a perfect blend of style, comfort, and practicality.
• Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow : Access from the saloon to the sheltered, capacious cockpit is effortless. The cockpit itself is equipped with dual tables and a folding convertible roof, perfect for any weather. This area forms the heart of the yacht, where luxury and practicality converge.

INTERIOR FEATURES

• Sophisticated Helmsman Areas : Aft on the bridge deck, the DS48 features two highly functional helmsman areas, seamlessly connecting to the side deck sans steps. For added security, especially in harsh weather, the yacht is fitted with a robust stainless steel railing and a 30 cm high foot rail.
• Spacious and Modern : At the core of the DS48 is its substantial saloon, nestled within the deckhouse. Here, you'll discover a cozy U-shaped seating area beside a substantial table, an elegant chart table with an indoor steering position, and a full-beam galley. This space is not only lavish but functional, with ample storage and various options for kitchen appliances.

Contact your closest Seattle Yachts location on the West Coast today to discuss Moody Yachts , pricing, and availability.

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Moody 54 decksaloon.