BoatsMoody 40 (Dixon)

Moody 40 (Dixon)

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1996–1998

A short-run 1990s cruiser featuring a fin keel and spade rudder, optimized for a balance of coastal performance

Designed by Bill Dixon, built by Marine Projects Ltd.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

See her sail

The Moody 40 (Dixon), on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Podcast Maré Sonora ®

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelyComfort 32Sea-kindly
CoastalCapsize 1.87Bluewater
LightD/L 270Heavy
EasygoingSA/D 13.0Powered-up
TenderBallast 30%Stiff

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

  • Heavier than ~82% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~81% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2759 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen once across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
30.0%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
13.0
Displacement / length
270.3
Comfort ratio
32.0
Capsize screening
1.87
Hull speed
7.8 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1600
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1996–1998
Units built
40
Designer
Bill Dixon
Builder
Marine Projects Ltd, Moody Yachts (A. H. Moody, Sons)

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Hans Christian Christina 4012.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA fin-keeled cutter with a skeg-hung rudder, offering a more modern underwater profile for the Hans Christian fleet
Buying a 40 Foot Sailboat at 21/yofrom Garrett’s Adventure
Valiant Yachts 40-212.16 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Robert Perry-designed cutter built for offshore passage-making, featuring a skeg-hung rudder and a stiff, heavy hull
Valiant 40 Sailboat | The Legendary Bluewater Cruiser Changed Offshore Sailing Ep 352 Lady K Sailingfrom Lady K Sailing
Dufour Yachts 405 Grand Large12.17 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 12-meter cruiser featuring a 2.03m fin keel and a balanced displacement-to-ballast ratio for stable coastal passages
Dufour 405from SVN solovelanet
Beneteau Oceanis 4012.15 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA spacious fractional sloop from Berret-Racoupeau featuring a versatile optional shallow draft keel
He almost went home alone… nothing went as planned… Vlog 1220:49from Vagabond Voyages
J/40 Classic12.19 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 12.19-metre masthead sloop with a 1.98m draft, balanced for offshore cruising and production stability
On the Dock in Cherbourg 14:39from The Mariner
Centurion 40S12.35 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA performance-oriented fractional sloop by Berret-Racoupeau, featuring a deep fin keel and a balanced, modern hull form
Alone Through the Night - Sailing to Tenerife | Ep. 154:08from Jakob Lang Sailing

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Moody 38A 1990s masthead sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, balanced for predictable handling and coastal cruisingMoody 422A 12.4-metre masthead sloop with a 40% ballast ratio, configured with a skeg-mounted rudder for directional stabilityMoody 34A 1980s mid-sized cruiser with a 40% ballast ratio, designed for stability and predictable handling in coastal watersMoody 425A 12.7-metre cruiser with a 39% ballast ratio, designed for steady performance and offshore capability

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