She’s a substantial yacht, both in volume and displacement. Overall length is 42ft 2in, waterline length 34ft 10in, beam 13ft 3in, and displacement 23,144 lb. Her 30 per cent ballast ratio is lower than that of some rivals, with the ballast carried largely in a cast-iron bulb at the foot of the keel.
Design and Construction
The Moody 42 is solidly constructed. Her high displacement and sail area/displacement ratio of 16 place her firmly in the cruising camp rather than at the performance-racer end of the spectrum. Compared with the earlier Moody 40, Dixon’s design achieved a more favourable displacement-to-waterline comparison.
The semi-balanced rudder hangs from a half skeg. This arrangement keeps the helm light but positive while increasing the strength and integrity of the rudder mounting. The slightly overhanging bow is another practical detail, helping to protect the stem when retrieving ground tackle.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
All sail controls are within easy reach of the helmsman, helping to make the Moody 42 easy to sail singlehanded. The large, low-cut genoa has a furling drum positioned a foot or so above the deck, where it remains clear of the anchor. Overall, she is an easy and satisfying boat to handle.
She isn’t a flyer in light airs, but she keeps powering on in heavy seas. Stiff and well able to stand up to her sail plan, she can cope even when slightly over-canvassed. These qualities make her secure offshore. Her gentle motion at sea also contributes to safe, secure, and comfortable living on long passages.
Cockpit and Accommodation
The cockpit sits a long way above sea level. That height aids seakeeping but severely restricts visibility forward from the wheel. Four people can sit comfortably in the cockpit, or six if two sit behind the wheel.
Below decks, the saloon accommodates six for dining or eight for a drink. There’s also a good-size dedicated navigation station with ample room for instruments. The boat is very comfortable to live aboard, both under way and at anchor, and long-term cruising gear can be stowed without lashing items to the rails. The afterdeck has enough space for sunbathing, showering, or inflating a dinghy.
Deck and Ground Tackle
The deck is ample and uncluttered. On the flat foredeck, twin self-stowing anchor bow rollers work with a powerful electric windlass. The deep chain locker holds at least 196 ft of heavy chain plus a further 65 ft of warp.
Guardrail gates and two wide, deep steps provide safe access to the water, while a deep, fold-down boarding ladder helps when swimming or using the dinghy. The raised cockpit and clear deck paths reflect the Moody 42’s blue water purpose without sacrificing the social spaces expected of a family cruiser.
Verdict
The Moody 42 is a thoughtfully executed Dixon cruiser that trades outright light-air speed for seakeeping, interior volume, and singlehanded manageability. Her construction and ballast placement provide reassuring stiffness, while the semi-balanced rudder on its half skeg is a quiet strength.
The main compromise is the restricted forward view from the raised cockpit—a consequence of the same seakeeping height that makes her secure offshore.
Pros
- Solid construction, with bulb-keel ballast and a strong, skeg-hung semi-balanced rudder
- Easy to sail short-handed, with all controls within reach of the helm
- Roomy, secure accommodation with a proper navigation station
- Enough stowage for long-term cruising gear without using the rails
- Comfortable motion and the ability to keep driving through heavy seas
Cons
- Severely restricted forward visibility from the raised cockpit
- Not quick in light airs, despite the generous sail plan
- Lower ballast ratio than some comparable cruisers
