Full lines, almost reminiscent of a motorboat, ample freeboard and the striking deckhouse. With a furling mast and self-tacking jib, the new Moody doesn't necessarily look like a light wind rocket - nor should it. Her speciality is comfortable cruising, whatever the weather. In our case, this means: grey clouds, five degrees water and air temperature and just five to ten accounts of wind, which is also pushed upwards by the cold air lying on the surface of the water. In other words, what the wind measuring system in the top of the 24 metre high mast reports has little to do with the conditions at deck level.
It is all the more astonishing that the Moody, which displaces a good 24 tonnes, can be set in motion at all. Heeling or significant rudder pressure are not to be expected in these conditions, but as soon as the sails are conveniently unfurled at the touch of a button and the jib is stopped, the imposing yacht pushes itself across the Greifswald Bodden as if by magic. The main propulsion is the optional reacher, a flat gennaker on a fixed furling forestay. Together with the battened furling mainsail, it accelerates the Moody to three to five knots, which feels really fast given the mirror-smooth water surface.
Sensitive control
The sensitive control system plays a large part in the unexpected liveliness. Wheels and rudder are connected via a combination of cardan shafts and push rods, which generates very little friction and works completely backlash-free. Together with the large, deep rudder blade, this results in a lively steering feel. Another positive aspect: the view forwards and into the sails is good despite the enormous deckhouse. The floor at the wheels is at deck level and therefore around 50 centimetres higher than the cockpit floor, so you can comfortably see over the roof when standing. In addition, you are so far out that you can also look past the side of the deckhouse. This even works when seated, you just have to look partially downwind through the tinted glazing. There is some room for improvement in the seat ergonomics of the prototype. Not all positions on the bike are permanently comfortable, as the railing can be a bit of a squeeze. There is also a lack of support in some positions. The standard Flexiteek coating is non-slip for sailing shoes, but offers little grip on the bottom of the trousers. Both points are already on the shipyard's optimisation list.
Technical data Moody 48
- Construction: Bill Dixon Yacht Design
- Hull length: 14.65 m
- Overall length with bowsprit: 15.42 m
- Length waterline: 13.83 m
- Width: 4.85
- Draught/alternative: 2.15/1.60 m
- Weight: 21.2 tonnes
- Sail area downwind: 78.70 m²
- Motorisation: Built-in diesel 110 hp, Saildrive
- Fuel capacity: 570 litres
- Fresh water capacity: 766 litres
- Price: 1,029,230 euros gross
