The Moody 376 Sailboat

The Moody 376, a centre-cockpit masthead sloop, was designed by Bill Dixon and built in the UK by Marine Projects Ltd.

'Seahawk', a Moody 376

The addition of a sugar-scoop stern and a bathing platform is all that sets apart the 376 from the earlier Moody 37.

Published Specification for the Moody 376

Underwater Profile: Fin keel, with skeg-hung rudder (balanced)

Hull Material: GRP (fiberglass)

Length Overall: 37'10" (11.5m)

Waterline Length: 31'2" (9.5m)

Beam: 12'5" (3.8m)

Draft: 5'6" (1.7m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 16,250lb (7,571kg)

Designer: Bill Dixon

Builder: Marine Projects Ltd (UK)

Year First Built: 1985

Year Last Built: 1991

Owners Association: Moody Owners Association

Published Design Ratios for the Moody 376

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.2

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 40.0

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 240

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 26.2

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.0

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Moody 376

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.2 suggests that the Moody 376 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 40.0 means that the Moody 376 will initially stand up reasonably well to her canvas in a moderate breeze, but she'll need a reef in the main to avoid heeling excessively in a gust.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 240, tells us the Moody 376 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 26.2 suggests that crew comfort of a xxxx in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 2.0 is on the cusp of suitability for an ocean passage, so venture offshore with caution.