Hull and Deck Design
The 346's hull is solidly constructed from fibreglass-reinforced plastic on a form that prioritised interior volume over outright performance. Although only six inches longer than the older Moody 33 and 333, the new boat had significantly more volume, particularly in the after sections, which was the design's central objective. Bill Dixon retained a half-depth skeg from which the rudder was hung, with some balance area below to reduce the weight of the helm — a conservative choice at a time when spade rudders were becoming fashionable, but one that suits the boat's cruising character and gives reassuring feel in following seas. The fin keel version draws five feet; a large number of owners also opted for bilge keels at 1.14m draught, making the boat genuinely capable in tidal estuaries and shallow anchorages.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The 346 carries a masthead sloop rig with a good-sized main and a sizable genoa. The arrangement is practical rather than exciting. Displacement climbed compared to the 33, complemented by a proportionally larger increase in sail area, thanks to additional stability from the wider aft sections and a heavier and slightly deeper keel, yet the overall sail area remains modest by the standards of the era. At only 1.5m for the fin keel version, draught is not particularly deep and there is no bulb to lower the centre of gravity, so initial stability is not as high as many later designs. The practical implication is that these are not quick boats in light airs, and most skippers will rely heavily on the engine in such conditions. In a breeze, though, the boat stiffens well: performance to windward will vary considerably as a function of the sails fitted, with old and misshapen Dacron inducing weather helm, while recent quality Dacron or laminate cloth heels less in the puffs and makes the boat easier to steer. The mainsheet is taken to a traveller on the aft cabin coachroof, just behind the wheel, making it commendably easily reached from the helm, though trimming the mainsail may require a trip to the back of the cockpit when steering with an autopilot.
Cockpit and On-Deck Experience
The centre cockpit is deep and secure, and sitting well inboard gives a sense of protection in rough water. That security comes with a tradeoff: the cockpit is relatively high up — a necessity to maximise headroom in the walk-through to the aft cabin — which subjects crew to more motion than an aft cockpit design with lower seating. The small single wheel also dates the appearance and has practical drawbacks, as it is not as easy to see the luff of the headsail, or even a spinnaker, from the helm. The wide side decks are a genuine asset for moving safely around the boat under sail, and the deck is fitted with winches and cleats for secure anchoring and mooring.
Accommodations
Below decks is where the 346 makes its strongest case. The surprisingly bright and spacious aft cabin is by far the larger of the two, with an offset double berth to port, a large corner settee to starboard, a large floor area and reasonable stowage, plus more in a pair of full-height lockers in the walk-through area aft of the galley. Placing the L-shaped galley here increases available space, giving a generous worktop area, stowage volumes, and twin sinks. The heads compartment sits aft near the companionway, close to the boat's centre of motion and convenient for crew on deck. Forward of it, a good-sized aft-facing chart table uses the end of the starboard saloon settee as a seat. The saloon is a good size, while the forecabin has a double vee-berth with a small standing and changing area at its head and reasonable stowage in cabinets on each side. Crucially, the Moody 346 includes a large toilet and shower compartment aft on the port side, with the option of an entrance from the aft cabin — an improvement not present on the earlier 34. The overall layout works as well on passage as in port, without the big wide open spaces sometimes seen on today's yachts that can be difficult to negotiate in a rough sea. The boat is equipped with a 35hp Thornycroft diesel, which provides adequate power and solid reliability.
Known Weaknesses
Two structural concerns are worth flagging. Initial stability is not as high as many later designs, given the absence of a bulb keel and the relatively modest draught of the fin version. Buyers should also treat sails as a critical variable: old and misshapen Dacron cloth will induce weather helm, especially when the cloth stretches in gusts, meaning that a boat with tired canvas will feel very different from one with a recent suit. The elevated centre cockpit, while secure, does mean crew are subjected to more motion than an aft cockpit design — a factor worth weighing carefully for offshore passages with those prone to seasickness. The single wheel's small diameter limits visibility of the rig, and the boat's light-air performance is genuinely constrained by the modest SA/D ratio.
Refits and Upgrades
The most impactful upgrade on any 346 is a new suit of sails. Those with recent quality Dacron or laminate sails heel less in the puffs, are easier to steer and get to the destination earlier — the improvement is disproportionate to the investment. The slab reefing mainsail and furled headsail are designed to make single-handed sailing possible, so any refit should maintain or improve that simplicity rather than adding complexity. A properly sized autopilot pays dividends given the centre cockpit layout and the mainsail traveller position: trimming the mainsail may otherwise require leaving the helm. Bilge keel examples benefit from having both keel root junctions inspected carefully; the twin keel arrangement distributes stress across two attachment points and any early signs of movement at the hull-keel interface warrant attention before they develop further.
The Verdict
The Moody 346 is an honest, well-executed British family cruiser of its era. It does not pretend to be a performance boat, and buyers who approach it looking for speed will be disappointed. Those who want comfortable family accommodation, a logical sea-going layout, the option of genuinely shoal draught in the bilge keel version, and solid build and safe handling in various sea conditions will find a boat that delivers on every count. Moody's reputation — built from the early 1970s for quality family cruisers with spacious accommodation — is well-earned here.
Pros
- Centre cockpit layout puts the helm well inboard and the deep cockpit feels secure offshore
- Walk-through aft cabin is by far the larger of the two, with double berth, corner settee, and full-height lockers
- Bilge keel option at 1.14m draught opens tidal estuaries and shallow anchorages inaccessible to fin-keel contemporaries
- Skeg-hung rudder with balance area reduces helm weight and adds robustness
- Proven 35hp Thornycroft diesel provides reliability with adequate power
Cons
- Not quick in light airs; skippers will rely heavily on the engine
- Elevated cockpit subjects crew to more motion than a lower aft cockpit arrangement
- Small single wheel limits visibility of the headsail luff from the helm
- Sail condition has an outsized effect on sailing quality; worn Dacron generates significant weather helm
- Initial stability lower than many later designs with no bulb keel to offset the modest draught
