MOODY 42
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 41.79 ft |
| LWL | 34.75 ft |
| Beam | 13.33 ft |
| Draft | 5.5 ft |
| Displacement | 24,200 lb |
| Ballast | 6,599.3 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.9 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 50 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 13.92 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 43.5 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 14.25 ft |
| FLforestay | 13.9 ft |
| Mainsail | 682.7 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 348 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 591.6 sq ft |
About the MOODY 42
Center cockpit also available. MkII version featured additional inside steering station.
Designed by Angus Primrose and built by A. H. Moody Ltd. (UK) between 1977–1981, the Moody 42 is a robust masthead ketch with a modest production run of 54 hulls. Its heavy displacement of 24200.0 lb and high D/L ratio of 257.46 reflect a design prioritizing stability and comfort over speed.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and those seeking a comfortable, stable passage-making vessel, particularly those who appreciate the ketch rig's ease of handling and the boat's proven heavy-displacement characteristics.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 1.85 and a comfort ratio of 32.23, the Moody 42 is well-suited for bluewater cruising, offering excellent stability and motion comfort in heavy seas despite its moderate sail area to displacement ratio of 14.63.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other heavy-displacement British ketches from the late 1970s such as the Hallberg-Rassy 42 or the Hallberg-Rassy 38, these boats share similar comfort ratios and focus on offshore safety over planing performance.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 3.9 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 3.8 |
| 60° | 4.3 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 6.8 |
| 75° | 4.7 | 5.5 | 6.2 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.4 |
| 90° | 4.7 | 5.7 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.8 |
| 110° | 4.9 | 5.9 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.2 |
| 120° | 4.7 | 5.8 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.4 |
| 135° | 4.3 | 5.4 | 6.3 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 8.3 |
| 150° | 3.7 | 4.7 | 5.5 | 6.2 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.7 |
| Beat VMG | 2.4 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| Run VMG | 3.2 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 7.2 |
Estimated Value
Limited DataAsking price by model year
9 listings · boat years 1977–1980 · median $49,530
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 41.79ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
14 reported issues across 6 systems for the MOODY 42, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a MOODY 42? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 14 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your MOODY 42?
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Used sails that fit the MOODY 42
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