Feature Test PHOTOS & VIDEO MICHAEL ELLEM MOODY CLASSIC 41

The Gentleman’s CLUB ALLAN WHITING spends a day aboard Moody’s new Classic 41 on Sydney’s breezy Pittwater and is blown away by its nautical style, high quality and proper performance

hose who feared the worst from Moody. It’s almost as if the Moody when Hanse took over Classic models have been penned to the remains of the Moody allay the fears of traditionalists. Classic Yachts business three-years says it all: sweet lines, traditional ago can breathe easier now accents, glowing, rich interior and Tthat the Classic line is established with an ocean-conquering rig and build. two models thus far: the 45 and the Welcome aboard the Moody Classic 41. new 41. Many yacht aficionados were ALLAN IN WONDERLAND disappointed with the first post-Hanse The companionway is traditionally Moody, the 45 DS. Its openly cubist narrow and wave-excluding, but upperworks and one-level cockpit clambering through it is an ‘Alice and cabin, separated by powerboat- through the looking glass’ experience. style sliding doors, offended some I defy anyone to suppress a “Wow!” traditionalists. However, students of Bill when they step onto the cabin sole and Dixon’s 1990s’ Moody designs could see blink out their sun blindness. where the Eclipse trend was leading The test boat’s combination of and recognise that the 45DS was an dark leather seat facings and ultra- evolutionary move from Dixon, not a gloss mahogany woodwork is better revolutionary one imposed by Hanse. appreciated in Michael Ellem’s photos But the sceptics have certainly been than mere words. Quality touches, silenced by the latest Classic releases including polished stainless steel and

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...the Moody Classic 41’s superyacht fit and finish somehow isn’t reflected in a high price tag

brass Danish cabin lights abound. covered sink. However, the Moody Classic 41’s The cabins are beautifully finished superyacht fit and finish somehow and graced with sensitive-foam isn’t reflected in a high price tag. mattresses that adapt to the Six interior layouts are offered, but sleeper’s shape. for the test boat the Windcraft crew Since this beautiful boat was opted for what should suit coastal- launched in Europe last year subtle cruising buyers: a twin-cabin, single- changes have been incorporated: arrangement. Twin cabin, five elliptical Ruttgersen cabin ports twin head and twin forward-berth now grace the low-profile coach layouts can all be accommodated, house — instead of the initial three but single aft-cabin layouts have — separated by a rectangular pane. the most generous bathroom and The revised layout looks much better saloon space. to our eyes. The head features a separate shower The port areas are traditionally with door and a ventilated wet locker. small, but twin Vetus dorade vents The saloon incorporates a curved and large -roof hatches ensure The Moody Classic 41, , is easy to sail and dinette lounge and tub-style seats at plenty of ventilation and light. targeted at cruising types but we reckon it either end of the chart table. Given The forward hatch is large enough will make a respectable and eye-catching club-racer, too. A gimballed stove and front- the increasing reliance on electronic to swallow a gennaker or socked loading fridge are a couple of the features navigation aids, today’s chart table asymmetric spinnaker. of the L-shaped galley, above. A sea of is more likely to be used as a reading Stepping aboard from astern is teak greets you, stepping aboard the huge table or boat-office desk. simplified by a huge drop-down drop-down swimplatform (electric operation Cruising compatibility shows in an swimplatform (electric operation optional), opposite. L-shaped galley that has a gimballed optional), and rail gates allow side cooktop and oven, top and front- access. Stainless steel mooring-line loading fridge and cutting-board- are set into solid

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[MOODY MEN] The two key people in Moody’s rebirth are designer, Bill Dixon Modern yachtbuilding techniques have been and Hanse boss, Michael Schmidt. incorporated in the Classic construction, Bill Dixon was born into a boating family business and scored a but traditional durability is the target dream start to his designing career with legendary naval architect, Angus Primrose. After teak coamings and eliminate between which is a wide walkway. his mentor was lost during a Transatlantic race in 1980, Bill coaming chafe. The helmsperson has a choice of fat Dixon kept the business going and coaming perches or broad bin-top was supported by Moody Yachts. HINT OF HANSE seats. A curved stainless ‘towel rail’ His first commissions were the There’s obvious Hanse influence in splits 1981-year Moody 27 and 41, and the and rig, but it’s all for the the cockpit, serving as a useful since then he’s drawn the lines of good. A high-aspect ratio, twin- handhold and foot brace, as well as many more. spreader mast is deck stepped and the base for a drop-side table and a Schmidt was born in 1948, rigged with a 9/10 self-tacking, chartplotter swivel. into a war-ravaged Germany and Hanse-trademark jib. The mast has Modern yachtbuilding techniques became obsessed with sailing generous pre-bend that can be varied have been incorporated in the from a very early age. He still by a tackle-adjustable backstay and Classic construction, but traditional prizes a sailing medal he won mounts a short, mid-sheeted durability is the target. Sandwich at age 10. Schmidt ran a Grand with sail bag and lazy jacks. construction is used throughout, Banks brokerage and built and Control lines lead to forward cockpit with foam core below the waterline repaired yachts while competing and sheets can be fed to and balsa above, including the deck in as many sailing events as he Unlike the modern trend toward light those, or to aft-set winches that are moulding. The gelcoat is isophthalic could, including skippering one interiors, the Classic 41, top, is distinctly within easy reach of the helmsperson. and the first layer of laminate is of the Admiral’s Cup winning retro with dark-coloured floors, seating, and German-team yachts in 1985. mahogany cabinetry. Styling even extends With additional clutches specified vinylester. Under the cabin sole is a at the forward winches, the boat massive ladder- strengthening His big business break came to the engraved hubs of the twin steering in 1990 when he bought into can be setup for forward sheet structure, with individual pockets for wheels, above. The teck deck stretches a dilapidated boat yard in control, aft sheet control, or a the huge bolts. all the way to the , right. As a cruiser/ the former East Germany, racer, there's plenty of room to play in the combination of both — perfect for progressively converting it into well proportioned cockpit, opposite top. shorthanded cruising. A GOOD BLOW today’s Hanse factory. Another Hanse influence shows Many boat tests are done in light in a pair of leather-clad wheels, air, but for this evaluation we were

70 tradeaboat.com.au tradeaboat.com.au 71 sufficient to produce 7kts-plus into the stiff breeze. FeatureTest The brand-new, tri-radial, cruise- laminate North main went up the stick with ease, thanks to a shortish foot that reduces bulk and 46AST Lewmar halyard winches; then the self-tacking jib rolled out eagerly. We trimmed both for upwind beating, decided we were a tad overdone and checked out the single-line [HIGHS] reefing system. In-mast furling is › Wow-factor above and below decks optional, but the slab-reef went in › Traditional appointments easily enough and flattened the › Excellent value for money main nicely. › Ease of handling With a reef snugged in tight, the › Good performance Moody 41 cut through the choppy water, with the speedo showing [LOWS] › Small jib compromises square- 7kts at around 45° true. The breeze running performance backed off to 15 to 20kts, so we shook out the reef and continued climbing to windward. The speedo registered 8kts, which we felt was also a tad optimistic. The Moody 41 polar graphs would have us Below decks, the Classic is around a half-knot slower in this weight of breeze. beautifully appointed and finished in On the wind, the boat felt very stiff the Moody tradition blessed with 20kts of nor’wester, with the test boat didn’t have one. Instead, puffs to 25kts: ideal for checking out it was fitted with a folding three- Like the rest of the interior, the head, an oceangoing yacht, especially as blade prop in place of the standard above left, incorporates high-gloss joinery. this one was fitted with an optional two-blader, and we found that the Forepeak cabin's wardrobe, below, harkens shallow-draft keel that we thought larger prop area gave sufficient ‘bite’ back to a bygone age. Hanse, Moody's might compromise stiffness. to handle tight manoeuvring out parent company, shows its influence in the A bowthruster is another option, but of a snug berth. Engine power was mast and rigging, right.

72 tradeaboat.com.au tradeaboat.com.au 73 figures MOODY CLASSIC 41 [MOODY BLUES] Facts& England’s Moody Yachts has a run down CAPACITIES pedigree that dates back to 1827 he Moody Classic flexibility. An easy-to-sail BERTHS: Two and three double-cabin layouts and, while the brand continues 41 enjoys the package that appears to FUEL: 140lt proudly today, the ownership, like production-boat be very strongly made, the WATER: 320lt so much of Britain’s industry, is in T savings of a seriously high- Classic 41 is targeted at continental Europe. volume builder, but with cruising types foremost, ENGINE In April 2007, ownership of MAKE/MODEL: Yanmar 3JH4 the famous brand crossed the more luxury appointments but we reckon it will offer TYPE: Saildrive Channel, into the hands of Hanse that would normally be on respectable club-racing Yachts, which almost immediately offer and great cabin layout performance, too. RATED HP: 40 began producing Moody Yachts in Greifswald, Germany. PRICE AS TESTED SAILS After five generations of family $434,619 MAIN: 52m² ownership, Moody Yachts and JIB: 35m² its historic Swanwick, River OPTIONS FITTED GENOA: 52m² Hamble site, had already been Teak sidedecks, two rail gates, genoa tracks and cars, windscreen with GENNAKER: 117m² sold to Premier Marinas in stainless steel frame and spray hood, three-blade folding propeller, FM December 2005. Premier and now Hanse radio/CD/MP3 with cockpit speakers, leather saloon upholstery, Icom 505 SUPPLIED BY ensured that design continuity VHF radio, cockpit seat cushions, traditional clock and barometer, and Windcraft Australia Pty Ltd, was preserved by retention of Simrad IS20 wind gauge 1714 Pittwater Road, designer Bill Dixon, who has been Bayview, NSW, 2104 penning Moody lines since 1981. PRICED FROM Phone: (02) 9979 1709 Bill Dixon has remained at his $399,230 Fax: (02) 9979 2027 base in Swanwick Marina. Email: [email protected] The Moody brand is one of GENERAL Web: www.windcraft.com.au the best-known names in the marine industry and is well- MATERIAL: Foam/balsa cored laminate with isophthalic gelcoat and respected throughout the world vinylester first layer SUPPLIED BY for its build quality. On Moody TYPE: Monohull Maritimo Gold Coast, Yachts’ old website it used to LENGTH OVERALL: 12.7m Lot 7 John Lund Drive, say: “Performance means being WATERLINE LENGTH: 10.9m Hope Island, Qld, 4212 able to sail into challenging seas BEAM: 4m Phone: (07) 5509 3611 with unshakable confidence in DRAFT: 2m (standard); 1.65m (optional) iron/lead composite keel Email: [email protected] the seaworthiness and stability of MAST HEIGHT: 16.5m Website: www.maritimo.com.au your vessel.” WEIGHT: 9800kg No less a light than Arthur final report Beiser, author of The Proper Yacht, had this to say of Moody Yachts, A slick underwater shape with fine entry and more tapered sections than while lamenting the demise of full-on raceboats, makes the Moody Classic 41 sea-kindly and fast when two-sail many traditional builders: “A few reaching. That performance is combined with the ease of handling provided by excellent series builders, such as a self-tacking jib and mid-sheeted boom. Below decks the Classic is beautifully Nautor and Oyster, are still with It’s almost as if the Moody Classic models appointed and finished in the Moody tradition. With superyacht ambience at us, but their gold-plated sliver production-yacht pricing, the Moody Classic 41 is very appealing. of the market is tiny and a less have been penned to allay the fears of exalted, but a larger and still respectable niche is occupied traditionalists by firms such as Hallberg-Rassy and Moody.” Michael Schmidt, owner and, while we scored the odd splash puffs if the main wasn’t dumped. On of Hanse Yachts, is well aware of on deck, the leeward rail never looked a passage we’d have kept it reefed, the Moody Yachts’ reputation and like getting dunked. Big puffs meant but for our test it was more fun being plans to preserve it. we were temporarily overpowered, slightly overpowered at times. The but the Moody responded by gently friendly speedo registered 10kts at climbing up into the breeze if the one point, where the polar graph main wasn’t eased quickly enough. suggested we should have being Tacking was as simple as it gets: just doing 9.5kts, which is impressive for a turn the wheel! yacht with a smallish headsail. However, windward performance is A self-tacker, mid-boom sheeting largely semantic, because we know without a traveller and winches gentlefolk don’t bash into the breeze, placed for shorthanded operation so having gained all the height we define the Moody Classic 41 as a wanted we bore away on a series of cruiser, not a racer, but that doesn’t reaches, chucking in the odd gybe to mean it wouldn’t do wellin PHRS test downwind stability and ease club events. For ease of gennaker The Moody Classic 41, left, is a thoroughly modern yacht as of manoeuvring. flying, the Classic 41 comes standard evidenced by the pulley blocks, above, and dorades, opposite Once again, the Moody 41 showed with double bowroller with an below, in stainless steel. Unobtrusive cockpit, opposite top, means its safe handling characteristics, integrated strop eye. Classic by name you can race and entertain and never the twain shall meet. rounding up without drama in the and nature.

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