BoatsMoody 36S

Moody 36S

Masthead Sloop · Fin With Rudder On Skeg · 1981–1983

An aft-cockpit variation of the Moody 36, featuring a fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder for balanced coastal cruising

Designed by Angus Primrose, built by Marine Projects Ltd.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Fin With Rudder On Skeg

See her sail

The Moody 36S, on the water

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

Footage from Sailing Gently

Is it for you?

Character

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

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 25 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 25
CoastalBluewater

2.02 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.02
LightHeavy

243 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 243

A balanced, easily-driven cruiser — comfortable and forgiving for coastal work.

  • Draws less than ~80% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2968 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The Moody 36S, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Moody 36S is a 1981–1983 masthead sloop designed by Angus Primrose, built by Marine Projects Ltd. and Moody Yachts, and is an aft-cockpit version of the Moody 36. With an LOA of 11.0 m, a beam of 3.8 m, and a draft of 1.5 m, it displaces 6667 kg.0:48 Aboard *Sailing Gently*, a Moody 36 named *Bambola* survived a 70-knot storm at anchor in Lady Musgrave Island, Australia, using a CQR anchor and 50 meters of chain.4:08 The Moody 36 is praised for its build quality, comfort, and handling, making it a capable cruiser for long-distance sailing. It is considered a suitable platform for circumnavigation when properly upgraded, offering superior interior space compared to similarly sized catamarans.18:42 The Moody 36 is also noted as a good option for single-handed sailing.11:47

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen 8 times across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Moody 36S on video

Struck by LightningA lightning strike on a Moody 36 destroyed all electronics and damaged the engine block in Maryland.Sailing GentlySell up and sailLong-term cruising requires a sustainable income, reliable medical insurance, and a sturdy, affordable vessel for offshore passages.Sailing GentlyWindvanes and AutopilotsHydrovane and servo-pendulum wind vanes provide reliable, power-free steering for long-distance offshore sailing and ocean crossings.Sailing GentlyWorld Cruising BoatA 36-to-45-foot monohull provides the best balance of comfort and manageability for couples planning long-term blue water cruising.Sailing GentlyYour Boat in the SunGordon Hayes explains how to relocate a boat from the English Channel to warmer, more affordable marinas.Sailing GentlyHelicopter RescueA 36-ft Moody sloop survives 70-knot winds at Lady Musgrave Island while nearby yachts wreck on reefs.Sailing GentlyA real Treasure IslandLocating the narrow, lumpy entrance to Suvorov requires reliable engine power and precise eyeball navigation.Sailing GentlyWhy did I buy this boat?Prioritize build quality and single-handed handling over price or racing features when selecting a cruising sailboat.Sailing GentlyLog Books and BoatsA veteran cruiser shares lessons from owning eight boats, including a 1979 Moody 36 and Elizabethan 31.Sailing GentlyMy dream world Cruising BoatThe Moody 36 and Westerly Ocean 43 serve as reliable, center-cockpit platforms for long-distance blue water cruising.Sailing GentlyLIVEABOARDChoosing a 40-to-50-foot monohull from manufacturers like Moody or Hallberg-Rassy suits most long-distance cruising couples.Sailing GentlyFrench canals BookThe 12th edition of *French Canal Routes to the Mediterranean* offers updated transit guides at gentlesailing.com.Sailing Gently

What they go for

Market signal

Where the fleet has seen this model come up for sale.

1seen sold

From the fleet's own footage — our observed signal, not broker listings.

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
Displacement / length
243.1
Comfort ratio
25.2
Capsize screening
2.02
Hull speed
7.3 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1322
Hull
Hull type
Fin with rudder on skeg
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1981–1983
Units built
19
Designer
Angus Primrose
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.

Gulfstar Yachts 3611.00 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop with a skeg-mounted rudder, designed for coastal cruising with a shallow 1.47-metre draft
REVIEWING SAILBOATS TO LIVE ON14:02from Wicked Salty
Hunter Marine 3610.95 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop with a 44% ballast ratio, designed for stable coastal cruising during a short early-eighties production run
#48 We bought a 1 kg anchor for a 100 kg boat! ⚓14:50from Sail Vessel Khalifa
Sabre Yachts 3610.97 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1985-1990 production cruiser with a 41% ballast ratio and a 1.93-metre draft for deep-water coastal performance
Spotting Land After 25 DAYS AT SEA!! (MJ Sailing - Ep 80)23:49from MJ Sailing
Islander Yachts 3611.00 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn Alan Gurney-designed masthead sloop with a 15-year production run and nearly 800 hulls launched
Light Air Sailing Race VLOG8:11from Wicked Salty
Catalina Yachts 3611.07 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA versatile coastal cruiser offering optional tall rig and wing keel configurations to suit varying water depths
Blue water sailboat - Catalina 36 - Episode 159 - Lady K Sailingfrom Lady K Sailing
Beneteau First 36.710.90 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Farr-designed racer-cruiser with a 2.2-metre draft and a balanced sail-area-to-displacement ratio for club competition
The Most Overlooked Sailboat on the Market | Beneteau First 36 7from Lady K Sailing

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Moody 36-1A 1977-1981 masthead sloop with a skeg-mounted rudder, designed for coastal stability and predictable handlingMoody 33SA 10-metre aft-cockpit variation of the original Moody 33, configured with a fin keel for coastal cruisingMoody S38A Bill Dixon-designed masthead sloop built for offshore comfort with a stable, moderate displacement hull

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

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