Design and Construction
The hull immediately sets the boat apart visually. A near-plumb stem, retroussé stern and pleasantly rising sheer capped with teak-topped bulwarks give the 36 MkII a classy, purposeful presence. Structurally, hulls were hand laid using mat and woven rovings with waterproof isophthalic resins, then stiffened with balsa-cored frames and stringers and further reinforced with bonded floors and bulkheads. The deck is also balsa-cored, with hefty plywood backing plates laminated beneath every winch and deck fitting. Hull-to-deck jointing was through-bolted, bonded over, and finished with teak — the kind of detail that speaks to a yard building boats to last rather than to a budget.
A choice of bilge, shoal-draft with a ballast bulb, or deep fin keel was offered, giving buyers flexibility for their home waters. The rudder arrangement is particularly well-considered: a large semi-balanced rudder supported by a half-skeg provides meaningful protection against steering damage from floating debris or errant lines, and the blade has enough area for authoritative control in boisterous conditions.
One area that warrants attention is the keel fastening system. Moody used high-tensile steel studs, nuts and backing plates rather than stainless steel. High-tensile steel is stronger than stainless, but it rusts, and keeping the bilge dry and the exposed fastening hardware painted is an ongoing maintenance discipline rather than a one-time fix. Prospective buyers should budget for that attention.
On Deck and Cockpit
The centre-cockpit layout divides opinion, and that honest ambivalence is part of what defines the 36 MkII experience. The cockpit sits elevated above the waterline, which many owners find reassuring offshore, and the trade-off for a smaller cockpit volume is the generous owner's cabin it enables aft. All sail controls run aft to the cockpit through clutches on the coachroof, and the genoa winches sit within easy reach of the helm. This arrangement, combined with the boat's natural balance, makes single-handing straightforward.
Deck ergonomics are well thought through. Inboard chainplates and coachroof-mounted genoa tracks keep the side decks wide and uncluttered. The foredeck is clean, with a deep chain locker and a windlass plinth. Six large mooring cleats are mounted on the bulwarks where they can actually be reached when coming alongside — a detail skipped on more than a few production boats of the era. Two deep lazarette lockers take care of most loose deck gear aft.
One practical limitation is the cockpit's access to the transom: a split backstay and wide rail gate help, but there is no dedicated swim platform for showering or dinghy handling.
Accommodation
Below decks the 36 MkII delivers what Moody owners buy the brand for. The saloon is spacious and warm, finished with solid wood trims throughout. Headroom runs to just over 6 feet in the main cabin — adequate for most crew, though the passageway aft narrows and drops slightly. The U-shaped port settee converts to seat six around the dropleaf table, and thick cushions alongside abundant teak joinery create a genuinely luxurious atmosphere for a boat this size.
The L-shaped galley is generously equipped with a large cooker, a substantial fridge and ample stowage for provisions, though its positioning under the cockpit sole limits both natural light and ventilation. The nav station sits opposite with a large forward-facing chart table, its own seat, and a comprehensive electrical panel — a proper working space rather than an afterthought.
Moving aft, the twin corridors — one housing a single bunk to starboard, the other the heads and shower — lead to the boat's signature feature: the centrally-mounted aft berth that measures 5 feet 4 inches wide. Headroom in the master cabin is just under 6 feet, but the space compensates with a wealth of stowage, a dressing table, and surprisingly good natural light through a large overhead hatch and opening side ports. Engine access under the cockpit is genuinely good, with all-round removable panels.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The 36 MkII carries a masthead rig on a thick-sectioned, well-supported twin-spreader Seldén mast with a gas-sprung kicker. The standard headsail is a 125% furling genoa sheeted to coachroof-mounted tracks, giving a usefully tight angle for pointing work. A triple-reefed semi-battened mainsail came standard, with the first two reefing lines led to the cockpit for easy handling short-handed.
Under sail, the boat rewards patience rather than aggression. Dixon's centre-cockpit Moodys are steady cruisers with conservative sail plans, but in open water they find their rhythm. Her fastest point of sail is 50 degrees off the apparent wind, where she surges forward relentlessly and largely ignores sea state. On a reaching breeze she will comfortably maintain 6.5 to 7.5 knots. Upwind she is reasonably close-winded thanks to the inboard genoa tracks, but she sheds speed quickly if pinched too hard. Downwind she needs a proper spinnaker or cruising chute to stay lively. The 35 percent ballast ratio keeps her stiff, and even the shoal-draft bulb keel version gives owners confidence in a blow.
Known Issues and Surveyor Findings
Surveyors who have worked through multiple examples highlight several recurring concerns worth understanding before purchase.
Anchor locker drainage is a structural vulnerability. Fairly large blisters have been found on topsides around the port-side anchor locker drain, caused by delamination rather than osmosis: water enters through the drain, saturates the plywood stiffeners protecting the hull from chain chafe, and the area stays wet long enough to delaminate. Keeping the drain clear and applying epoxy around the hole addresses the risk proactively.
The teak veneer over plywood used for cockpit seat coverings and some deck areas is another recurring maintenance item. Most examples surveyed have needed the ply-faced teak replaced, and on boats where it was applied to the deck proper, deterioration has typically been more extensive.
Chainplate inspection is a genuine structural concern. The main cap chainplate anchorage within the saloon is impossible to inspect without removing the fitted internal joinery, and at least two documented failures have occurred after fastenings behind these panels corroded undetected. Buyers should verify that small inspection hatches have been cut into the joinery covers — a modification many conscientious owners have already made — and treat any high moisture reading on the side decks in that area as a reason to look harder.
On the Volvo Penta engine, surveyors note that the MD2040B unit fitted to most examples is more robust than the D1-40 that succeeded it, but limescale build-up in the coolant system and porosity in the iron castings are known weaknesses. The exhaust elbow requires periodic replacement, and the saildrive diaphragm seal on examples of any age will likely have been replaced at least once — verifying the service history for that item is essential.
Rudder and skeg moisture is a further item. High moisture readings in both the blade and the skeg around the support shoe are not uncommon where fastenings have worked loose over time.
The Verdict
The Moody 36 MkII is a boat built for people who intend to use it seriously. The Lloyd's classification, the isophthalic resin construction, the thought given to deck ergonomics and engine access, and the genuinely usable offshore motion all point to a yacht engineered beyond minimum requirements. She will not excite a racing sailor, and the centre-cockpit layout demands a measure of tolerance — the steep companionway, the visibility restriction with the genoa up, the modest cockpit volume. But for a couple or small family cruising coastal and offshore waters who want real comfort below and solid seamanship above, she is a well-proven choice. The recurring surveyor findings are manageable rather than alarming, and the active Moody Owners Association provides a community of technical knowledge that is genuinely useful when maintenance questions arise.
Pros
- Lloyd's 100A1 construction with isophthalic resins and balsa-cored hull stiffening
- Excellent balance and little or no weather helm; straightforward to single-hand
- Exceptionally wide aft berth and generous accommodation for the overall length
- Good engine access; choice of three keel configurations
- Active owners association with strong technical knowledge base
Cons
- Ply-faced teak cockpit coverings typically need replacement on older examples
- Chainplate inspection requires joinery removal; documented failures on unmonitored boats
- High-tensile keel bolts require ongoing rust prevention and bilge management
- Anchor locker drain design can cause hull delamination if not maintained
- Conservative sail plan and centre cockpit limit light-air and downwind performance
