The Moody 425 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Moody 425, a centre-cockpit cruiser, was designed by Bill Dixon and built in the UK by Marine Projects Ltd.

A Moody 425

Published Specification for the Moody 425

Underwater Profile: Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP

Length Overall: 41' 8" (12.70 m)

Waterline Length: 34' 3" (10.43 m)

Beam: 13' 4" (4.10 m)

Draft: 6' 0" (1.83 m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 21,220 lb (9,625 kg)

Designer: Bill Dixon

Builder: Marine Projects (UK)

Year First Built: 1988

Year Last Built: 1991

Number Built: 116

Owners Association: Moody Owners Association

Published Design Ratios for the Moody 425

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.4

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: 236

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 28.6

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: 1.9

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

Moody 425 Sail Plan & Accommodation Layout

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Moody 425

eBook: How to Avoid Buying the Wrong Sailboat

Download this eBook to make sure you buy wisely!

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.4 suggests that the Moody 425 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 425 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 236, tells us the Moody 425 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 28.6 suggests that crew comfort of a Moody 425 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 1.9 tells us that a Moody 425 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.