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. It one of the most popular models in Moody’s range of family cruisers, with over 100 boats produced.

A Moody 425 sailboat anchored in Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou in the West Indies

This Moody 425 is pictured in Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou in the West Indies.

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

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 40.0

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 236

4. Comfort Ratio: 28.6

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.9

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Moody 425

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The Moody 425 sailboat, given the provided design ratios, would theoretically have the following sailing characteristics:

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (16.4): This ratio is within the range of 16 to 20, indicating that the Moody 425 has reasonably good performance. It suggests that the boat is neither underpowered nor extremely high performing, but should handle well under various conditions.

Ballast/Displacement Ratio (40.0): A ratio of 40 or more suggests a stiffer, more powerful boat that can better stand up to the wind. However, this ratio doesn't account for the location of the ballast. If the ballast is located in a shallow draft keel, the boat will be less stiff than if the ballast is in a bulb at the foot of the keel.

Displacement/Length Ratio (236): This falls within the range of moderate displacement (200-275), indicating that the Moody 425 is neither a light nor heavy boat. It should have a good balance of stability and speed, but it will require a reasonable amount of sail area to reach its design hull speed.

Comfort Ratio (28.6): This ratio falls within the range associated with a coastal cruiser (20 to 30). It suggests that the Moody 425 should provide a comfortable ride in most coastal cruising conditions. However, it may not be as comfortable in more challenging bluewater conditions.

Capsize Screening Formula (1.9): A value below 2.0 suggests that the Moody 425 has blue water capability, meaning it should be capable of handling ocean passages.

It's important to note that these ratios are theoretical and based on the boat's design specifications. They don't take into account other factors that can influence a boat's performance and comfort, such as the skill of the crew, the condition of the boat, or the specifics of its construction.

As for the limitations of these ratios, the Ballast/Displacement Ratio, as mentioned, doesn't consider the location of the ballast. A boat with a high Ballast/Displacement Ratio but a shallow draft keel may not be as stiff or stable as the ratio suggests.

Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio does favor heavy displacement, narrow-beamed vessels with long overhangs. Modern designs often feature light displacement and beamy hulls with plumb bows, which may not score well on the Comfort Ratio but can still offer bluewater capability. These boats may also offer other advantages, such as increased interior space and potentially faster speeds. So while the Comfort Ratio can provide some insight into a boat's likely motion comfort, it doesn't tell the whole story.

It's always best to consider these ratios as part of a bigger picture when assessing a boat's potential performance and comfort.

Moody 425 Sail Plan & Accommodation Layout

The Moody 425 is a direct development of the Moody 422. The main differences are the en-suite heads to the Aft cabin, which can also be accessed from the Galley thus giving two accesses to the Aft cabin. Inmast furling mainsail and furling headsail were standard

Accommodation
One of the main attractions of the Moody 425 is its generous accommodation layout that can sleep up to eight people. The boat has three separate cabins, two heads, a large saloon, a navigation station and a galley. The interior is finished in teak woodwork and blue upholstery, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

The master cabin is located in the stern of the boat, and has a centerline double berth, two hanging lockers, two drawers, and several shelves. It also has an en-suite head with a shower, a sink, and a marine toilet. The master cabin can be accessed from the cockpit or from the saloon.

The forward cabin has a V-shaped double berth, a hanging locker, two drawers, and several shelves. It also has an access door to the forward head, which is shared with the saloon. The forward head has a shower, a sink, and a marine toilet.

The third cabin is located on the starboard side of the boat, next to the navigation station. It has two single bunk beds, a hanging locker, and some storage space. It is ideal for children or guests.

The saloon is spacious and bright, with four large windows and four opening hatches. It has a U-shaped settee on the starboard side that can seat six people around a folding table. The table can also be lowered to create an extra double berth. On the starboard side, there is another settee that can be used as a single berth.

The navigation station is located on the starboard side of the saloon, and has a large chart table with storage space underneath and an instrument panel.

The galley is located on the port side of the saloon. It has an L-shaped counter with plenty of work space and storage space. It also has a double stainless steel sink, a three-burner gas stove with oven, a top-loading refrigerator, and a front-loading freezer.

Hull and Deck
The Moody 425 has a solid fiberglass hull that is reinforced with stringers and bulkheads. The hull shape is round-bilged with moderate overhangs at both ends.

The deck is also made of fiberglass with balsa core for stiffness and insulation. The deck is molded in one piece with an integral toe rail and raised bulwarks for safety, and is wide and flat, with plenty of handrails and cleats. The anchor locker is located at the bow, with an electric windlass and a bow roller. The boat also has a sugar scoop transom that makes boarding and swimming easier.

The Moody 425 has a spacious cockpit that can accommodate six people comfortably. The cockpit also has a large locker, a folding table, and an access hatch to the aft cabin.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.