Design and Construction
Moody went with a hand-laid polyester fiberglass hull with solid laminate below the waterline and cored above, while the deck is cored with end-grain balsa — a construction approach that keeps weight manageable overhead without compromising the structure where it meets the sea. Watertight bulkheads separate the anchor locker and engine compartment, a detail that limits flooding paths in a manner seldom found on boats of this size and era. The stainless steel chainplates pass through the deck to thick plywood-core bulkheads glassed to the hull, and the backing plates and bolts are accessible by removing a panel, keeping the interior clean while maintaining serviceability. On deck, the Moody 46 CC sports generously wide side decks, solid stanchions, and molded nonskid surfaces that perform well in the wet, all of which speak to a boat intended for crew movement in hostile conditions.
Rig and Handling
The sail plan is a straightforward masthead cutter with in-mast furling for the main, and from the factory the 46 CC came rigged with furling genoa and staysails. Moody chose a conservative 15:1 sail-area-to-displacement ratio, and that conservative sail plan makes her easier and safer to crew shorthanded, an attribute that directly supports her reputation as an excellent option for couples and small crews looking to sail the world and build up serious mileage in comfort. Owners have been known to modify her to a sloop rig by removing the inner forestay, but the cutter configuration as delivered remains the safer shorthanded arrangement. Under power, you can expect a solid 7 to 8 knots from a centrally mounted engine under the cockpit sole, and test sailors found her able to handle heavy winds and big seas with ease.
Accommodations
The center cockpit also comes with another nice benefit: more room underneath, which the design exploits with a massive aft owner’s stateroom featuring an island queen berth and an ensuite head with separate shower stall. Headroom averages about 6.5 feet throughout. The galley is located along the walkthrough from the aft cabin, set low in the boat to facilitate cooking in rocking seas, and is well-appointed with a gimbaled Smev 4-burner propane cooktop, front-loading Isotherm fridge, top-loading Isotherm freezer, microwave, and double sink. From the galley the layout opens into a spacious and airy saloon with wraparound seating and a proper navigation table. The front houses a guest cabin with a V-berth and second head, and most models also come with a third bunk room or office. Fit and finish are top-quality throughout, with beautiful teak joinery, sturdy handholds, deeply fiddled countertops, and heavy-duty hardware. One trade-off of the center-cockpit arrangement is practical rather than aesthetic: foregoing a walkthrough transom, you’ll need to climb a ladder to get on the boat from the water.
Known Issues
The keel attaches with mild steel keel studs instead of stainless steel; in most cases this corrosion is only cosmetic and can be wirebrushed away, but persistent stud rusting or water squeezing from the keel joint when the boat is resting on her keel may indicate a serious problem. Owners report that the teak decking and veneer should be monitored and bonded anywhere they may be delaminating at sharp bends and corners, and that the windows will likely need periodic rebedding every 10–15 years. The 6-hp bow thruster may be underpowered for some sailors, the holding tank may be undersized for longer voyages, and aft lazarettes may leak in heavy rains if not battened down. Rudder post and bearing issues have been known to occur and may require dropping the rudder for service.
Refits and Ownership
Most models feature a windlass and anchor setup suitable for extended stays at anchor, as well as stern davits and arches for solar panels and dinghies, which eases the path to outfitting for long-range cruising. The batteries are located under the aft bunk, so electrical cables running to the windlass will span the length of the boat and may therefore see voltage drop — a layout fact worth weighing when planning electrical upgrades. A shoal draft version drawing 5.25 feet was also made alongside the standard 6.76-foot maximum draft, giving buyers a second draft option within the short production run.
The Verdict
The Moody 46 CC is a thoughtfully resolved center-cockpit bluewater cruiser whose compact production run and Dixon pedigree make her a distinctive choice rather than a commodity. She trades a walkthrough transom for a drier, safer cockpit and a remarkably spacious aft stateroom, and her construction details — watertight bulkheads, accessible chainplate backing, cored-deck discipline — reflect a builder engineering for passages rather than showrooms. The mild-steel keel studs and a handful of owner-reported maintenance items are manageable with survey diligence.
Pros
- True bluewater capability with conservative sail plan for shorthanded safety
- Center cockpit with high coamings and watertight bulkheads limiting flooding paths
- Massive aft owner’s stateroom with island berth and ensuite head; third bunk/office common
- Hand-laid hull with solid below-waterline laminate and accessible chainplate backing plates
Cons
- Mild steel keel studs prone to cosmetic corrosion; serious keel-joint issues possible
- No walkthrough transom; boarding from water requires a ladder
- Owner-reported: underpowered 6-hp bow thruster, undersized holding tank, lazarette leaks
- Rudder post/bearing service may require dropping the rudder
