Moody 62 DS Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The genesis of the Moody 62 DS began after Hanse Yachts acquired the venerable British Moody brand in 2007, aiming to expand its range with deck saloon and center cockpit yachts. The 62 DS, with a production start year of 2009, marked a new chapter for Moody under Hanse's stewardship, re-establishing the brand's presence in the luxury cruising market. The design was entrusted to Dixon Yacht Design, a firm known for its expertise in creating comfortable and seaworthy yachts. Bill Dixon, who had previously developed two comfortable Moody models, continued this tradition with the Deck Saloon series. The core philosophy behind the Moody DS line, including the 62 DS, centers on the "deck saloon" concept, which aims to provide an elevated saloon floor at cockpit level, offering panoramic views and a continuous living space from inside to outside. This approach reflects Hanse's broader manufacturing ethos, which emphasizes combining performance with comfort and innovative design to make sailing accessible and enjoyable. While specific variations like MkI or MkII models are not widely documented, the Moody Deck Saloon concept was further developed in subsequent models like the 41DS, 45DS, and 54DS, suggesting continuous refinement within the series.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall of just over 63 feet and a waterline length of 56.43 feet, the Moody 62 DS is a substantial yacht designed for serious offshore cruising. Her calculated sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 19.08 suggests good performance across a range of wind conditions, indicating that she should be responsive in lighter airs while still having enough sail to power through moderate breezes. The ballast to displacement ratio (Bal/Disp) of around 33.3% indicates a moderate level of stability, providing a comfortable and secure motion at sea, although perhaps not as stiff as some dedicated performance cruisers with higher ratios. Her displacement to length ratio (D/L) of approximately 164.2 classifies her as a relatively light-displacement yacht for her size, hinting at a design focused on efficiency and potentially better average speeds compared to heavier, more traditional cruisers of similar length. Owners often praise the Moody 62 DS for its comfortable motion and ease of handling, even with a small crew, thanks to features like three control stations and bow and stern thrusters. She is described as a good boat for comfortable sailing, whether fully crewed or short-handed.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Moody 62 DS is renowned for its spaciousness and the "one level living" deck saloon concept. This design integrates the saloon and cockpit seamlessly, providing an uninterrupted flow and panoramic views from within the main living area. The typical interior arrangement offers three double cabins, providing ample sleeping accommodations. The saloon itself is often described as bright and airy, a direct benefit of the elevated deck saloon design. High-quality marine plywood with mahogany veneer is a common material used in the interior, contributing to a luxurious finish. Features such as multiple refrigerators, a barbecue, a cockpit table, cooling box, freezer, heating, gas hob, and microwave are commonly found, catering to a comfortable liveaboard or long-cruising experience. Owners looking for customization often have options for interior upholstery.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners consistently praise the Moody DS series for its awesome layout, particularly the deck saloon concept which enhances living space and natural light. The Moody 62 DS, in particular, is often seen as a solid boat built for ocean cruising. Owners value its comfortable sailing performance and ease of handling, even for those sailing short-handed. The combination of a well-appointed interior with amenities like a second refrigerator, barbecue, and heating makes it a popular choice for extended cruising and liveaboard lifestyles. While specific common problems are not widely detailed in general forums, the overall sentiment points towards a well-regarded vessel designed for comfortable and capable offshore passages.