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

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 32.4

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 234

4. Comfort Ratio: 34.1

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8

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.

More about the Moody 46...

The Moody 46, designed by Bill Dixon* and built by Moody Yachts between 1997 and 2001, is a well-appointed cruiser that offers plenty of space, performance and features for recreational sailors.

The boat has a sail area of 102 m² (1,098 ft²) and a sail area/displacement ratio of 17.6, indicating that it is slightly underpowered but still capable of good performance in moderate winds. It is powered by a 78 hp Yanmar diesel engine with a shaft drive and a three-bladed propeller. The boat has a fuel capacity of 454 L (120 gal) and a water capacity of 727 L (192 gal), making it suitable for long passages.

Moody 46 Accommodation Layout

Accommodation
The Moody 46 sailboat has a three cabins, two head layout that can accommodate a family or a crew comfortably. The forward cabin has a centreline double berth, the port guest cabin has twin single berths, and the aft owner’s cabin has a large double berth with an ensuite head and shower. The galley is located in the main saloon, along with a U-shaped dinette and a navigation station.

The Moody 46 also has a large cockpit that can seat eight people comfortably. The cockpit has twin wheels that provide good visibility and access to the stern platform. The cockpit also has a folding table, two large lockers for storage, and an integrated arch that supports the bimini top and the mainsheet traveler.

Hull and Deck
The Moody 46 has a solid fiberglass hull with vinylester resin for osmosis protection. The hull is reinforced with stringers and bulkheads for strength and rigidity. The deck is made of fiberglass sandwich with balsa core for stiffness and insulation. The deck is bonded to the hull with bolts and adhesive for durability. The deck also has molded non-skid surfaces for safety and traction.

The Moody 46 has a wide side deck that allows easy movement around the boat. The boat has stainless steel stanchions with double lifelines, teak handrails on the coachroof, six mooring cleats, and an electric windlass with chain locker. The bow section has an anchor roller, a bow sprit for flying an asymmetric spinnaker or gennaker, and two dorade vents for ventilation.

The stern section has an open transom with a fold-down swim platform that can be lowered by an electric winch. The platform has a telescopic ladder for easy access to the water or the dinghy. The platform also has two lockers for storing fenders or lines. The stern also has a davit system for lifting and lowering the dinghy, a hot and cold shower, and a sugar scoop for boarding.

*Bill Dixon is a British yacht designer who founded Dixon Yacht Design, one of the world's premier yacht design offices. He started his career working for Angus Primrose, a respected naval architect, and took over the business after Primrose's death in 1981. He has designed many award-winning sailboats and powerboats for clients such as Moody, Hylas, Taswell, North Wind, Passport and others. He has also worked with interior stylists and shipyards across the world to create custom projects that combine safety, performance, style and technology. He was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Technology by Southampton Solent University in 2016 for his contribution to the marine industry.

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.