The Moody 46 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Moody 46, a centre cockpit cutter, was designed by Bill Dixon and built in the UK by Moody Yachts Ltd.

A Moody 46

Published Specification for the Moody 46

Underwater Configuration: Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 46'2" (14.1m)

Waterline Length: 39'4" (12.0m)

Beam: 14'5" (4.4m)

Draft: 6'9" (2.1m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 31,945lb (14,490kg)

Designer: Bill Dixon

Builder: Moody Yachts Ltd (UK)

Year First Built: 1997

Year Last Built: 2001

Number Built: 55

Owners Association: Moody Owners Association

Published Design Ratios for the Moody 46

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 15.1

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: 32.4

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 234

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 34.1

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: 1.8

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 46

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 15.1 suggests that the Moody 46 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 32.4 means that the Moody 46 will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and she'll need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 234, tells us the Moody 46 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 34.1 suggests that crew comfort of a Moody 46 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 tells us that a Moody 46 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.