Design and Construction
The Moody 45 Classic has an unusual profile for a modern cruiser. A bluff, nearly vertical stem leads into a very flat sheer spring, while a long aft overhang ends at a traditional raked transom. The transom is very broad and carried well aft, on a moderate length-to-beam ratio of 3.34. A low cabintrunk reinforces the classic appearance.
The hull rocker kicks up just ahead of a huge, partially balanced spade rudder. The composite iron-and-lead keel carries 7,385 pounds of ballast, giving a 29 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio on a displacement of 25,353 pounds. Two draft options were offered: 7 feet 3 inches standard and 6 feet 1 inch shoal.
Rig, Deck, and Handling
The boat carries a tall fractional rig with a self-tacking jib. Its track is molded into the housetop and is wide enough to provide an 11.5-degree sheeting angle. The spreaders are swept 20 degrees, and the deck plan also includes genoa tracks, suggesting that the boat can be readily reconfigured for a larger headsail.
Total sail area is 1,022 square feet, for a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 18.94—a healthy figure for a cruising boat. Lines appear to run aft from the mast beneath a housetop panel.
The large, walk-through cockpit has twin wheels aft and long seats forward, with a fixed windshield ahead of the helm. On deck, a low-profile teak toerail preserves the clean outline. A large foredeck well, covered by a flush hatch, houses the roller-furling drum and windlass.
Accommodations
Watervision’s interior provides three staterooms: two double cabins aft and a forward double cabin with both a vanity and a desk. The aft cabins aren’t especially roomy, but they are adequate and have generous berths. Two spacious heads, each with separate shower stalls, serve the accommodation plan.
In the saloon, a large dinette to port faces two seats to starboard, divided by a small table. That table apparently doubles as the chart table rather than providing a dedicated navigation station. The practical galley includes deep outboard lockers.
Tankage is 85 gallons of water and 58 gallons of fuel.
Power and Equipment
Auxiliary power comes from a 55-horsepower Yanmar, which also supports the boat’s systems. The fixed windshield and walk-through cockpit favor sheltered, social helm stations rather than stripped-down racing functionality.
Verdict
The Moody 45 Classic is a thoughtfully resolved cruiser that combines a classic silhouette with modern sail handling and livability. The Dixon hull’s broad aft beam and balanced spade rudder, together with the self-tacking fractional rig and genuine three-cabin interior, make her a compelling, bluewater-capable family boat with a distinctive look.
Pros
- Unusual traditional profile with a broad transom and long aft overhang
- Three staterooms and two heads with separate showers
- Self-tacking jib track molded into the housetop at 11.5 degrees
- Composite iron-and-lead keel with a 29 percent ballast ratio
- Tall fractional rig with genoa tracks for added flexibility
Cons
- Aft cabins are adequate rather than spacious
- The chart table is a small secondary saloon table, not a dedicated navigation station
