Design and Construction
The hull is solid fiberglass with a fin keel and spade rudder. At 7,300 pounds displacement with 2,750 pounds of iron ballast, the Moody 29 shows a 38 percent ballast ratio — higher than 34 percent of comparable designs anchor. The length-to-beam ratio is 2.81 and the boat is notably roomy, more spacious than 79 percent of similar designs. Its displacement-length ratio of 210 places it among "moderate racers," and 69 percent of similar designs are heavier.
Rig and Handling
The Moody 29 is a masthead sloop with a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 15.52. The wetted surface of the underwater body is about 279 square feet. Sheet specs call for 3/8-inch line on jib, genoa, and spinnaker sheets at 29.5, 29.5, and 65 feet respectively, with a 73.8-foot mainsheet. The draft runs about 4.5 feet depending on load, shallow enough for modest marinas anchor. Calculated top speed is 6.1 knots against a 6.7-knot theoretical maximum, and immersion is 912 pounds per inch.
Accommodations and Sea Kindliness
The Motion Comfort Ratio is 18.6, more comfortable than 24 percent of similar sailboats. The capsize screening value is 2.16, which would bar ocean racing under that criterion anchor. The beamy interior volume suits a couple or small family coastal cruising.
Refits and Ownership
The Bukh DV20ME diesel of 20 horsepower on a shaft drive is standard. Parts support for a Bukh of this vintage can be sporadic, so an engine with documented service history is worth a premium. The light displacement aids straightforward haulout.
The Verdict
The Moody 29 is a beamy, light-displacement coastal cruiser with unusually roomy interior volume and a forgiving shallow draft. Its numbers mark it as a moderate cruiser rather than a bluewater boat.
Pros
- More interior space than 79 percent of similar designs
- Shallow ~4.5-foot draft eases marina access
- Solid fiberglass hull with 38 percent ballast ratio
Cons
- Capsize screening value of 2.16 limits ocean-race eligibility
- Comfort ratio better than only 24 percent of peers
- Bukh DV20ME parts can be hard to source
