Moody S38 Sailboats for Sale

The key purchasing decision — and the one that shapes nearly everything else about ownership — is the rig. The standard masthead version is competent and tractable, but the fractional Sport variant, with its taller double-spreader mast and meaningfully larger sail area, is the boat Dixon really intended. It transforms the S38 from a comfortable passage-maker into a yacht that earns the "performance cruiser" designation. Because the tall rig requires the deep fin keel to balance properly, you're typically choosing the deep-draft example when you select a Sport, so bear that in mind if your home waters are shallow. Shoal-keel examples with the standard masthead rig do appear on the market and are perfectly good boats, simply less exciting upwind in light air.

The companionway deserves a word before you fall in love with anything else: the bridge deck is high and the steps are steep — more ladder than staircase. It's a non-issue once you adapt the habit of descending facing aft, as most owners do, but it catches out visitors and is something to assess honestly before committing.

Layouts on the Used Market

The S38 was offered in two distinct below-decks arrangements, and both are findable, though the owner's-suite configuration — a single large aft cabin with dedicated dressing area, settee, and the emergency escape hatch to the cockpit — appears more often in brokerage. This layout gives the aft owners a genuinely roomy double with adequate headroom, something Mick and Val's earlier Moody 336 notably lacked.

The alternative twin-double-cabin arrangement converts the aft space into two separate sleeping cabins, trading the owner's-suite generosity for a setup that accommodates crew or family with more individual privacy. Either way, the forecabin is a proper double with its own ensuite heads compartment — one of the more appreciated features on a 39-footer.

The saloon is U-shaped dinette to starboard, converting to a double if needed, with a full-length straight settee to port that serves as an excellent sea berth with a lee cloth fitted. The forward-facing chart table is a practical touch that owners genuinely use at sea. Headroom throughout the main cabin is on the generous side for the era. The galley is wrap-around and well-conceived for extended passages, with a full-size cooker, deep twin sinks, fridge, and enough stowage to provision seriously.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Most examples on the brokerage market arrive with a reasonable electronics package already fitted. A chartplotter is commonly found aboard, and autopilot fitment is widespread — the cockpit layout suits singlehanded sailing reasonably well, and previous owners who cruised offshore invariably added one. Heating systems appear regularly, which reflects where these boats were predominantly sailed and the kind of extended cruising their owners undertook.

Teak decks are a frequent fitting, both factory-specified and owner-added, lending the boat its characteristic period character but introducing the usual maintenance and eventual replacement consideration that comes with any laid teak.

Among the go-to additions you'll commonly encounter: a dodger and bimini combination (the cockpit benefits significantly from weather protection on a passage boat), hot water through the engine circuit, a swim platform, and a life raft. Furling mainsails appear on a reasonable share of boats, particularly on examples that have been set up for short-handed sailing — a recurring owner upgrade that pairs logically with the Sport rig. Radar is sometimes fitted; solar panels appear on cruising-prepared examples that have ventured beyond marina infrastructure. Spinnaker gear, both symmetrical and asymmetric, shows up on the more actively sailed boats.

What to Inspect

The S38's most significant structural concern was concentrated in the early production run. A marine surveyor's assessment of the type flagged delamination, cracking, and bulging on the coachroof above the forward heads compartment bulkhead, and similar defects at the aft bulkheads where the bulkhead did not appear to fit properly. Moody corrected these issues during the production run, and later examples are generally cleaner, but any survey must scrutinise these specific areas closely regardless of the year.

Two further areas require targeted inspection: delamination or bulging around the anchor locker drain and on the topsides below the stanchion bases are known weak points. Probe both with a surveyor's mallet and insist on moisture readings in those zones.

The Volvo Penta saildrive unit warrants careful attention. At least one ownership account records a saildrive gearbox failure at sea, which — while manageable under sail — points to a component you want thoroughly inspected and serviced. Saildrive bellows condition and age are a priority on any diesel survey; budget for replacement if the history is uncertain. The MD2040 engine itself is well-regarded and parts are available, but a compression test and cooling system inspection (the engine is freshwater-cooled) should be standard.

Deck hardware on a boat of this vintage demands close attention: stanchion bases, chainplates, and any through-deck fittings should be checked for bedding integrity. Any softness in the deck near fittings indicates water ingress that needs addressing before it propagates further.

Below decks, assess the water tanks — two substantial tanks sit under the saloon seats, which can limit general stowage — and confirm their condition. The engine room access is adequate for a surveyable inspection; check the bilge for oil residue and confirm the seacocks are operable and serviceable.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The S38 turns up most frequently in United Kingdom brokerage, which reflects both the boat's Plymouth origins and the density of Moody ownership along British coasts. Spain, Portugal, Greece, and the broader Mediterranean carry a steady supply for buyers based in southern Europe, and examples reach the North American market, particularly the eastern seaboard, often having crossed with cruising owners who bought in the UK and kept sailing. Germany also shows a share of listings, consistent with Northern European passage-sailing culture.

The combination of limited production numbers and genuine loyalty among owners means well-kept examples do not linger. The Sport rig with deep fin is the more sought-after combination and the harder one to find; if that is your preference, prepare to be patient or to expand your geographic search.

Buyer's checklist:

• Confirm rig type (masthead standard vs fractional Sport) and keel option (deep vs shoal) before travelling to view
• Instruct surveyor to probe coachroof above forward heads bulkhead and aft bulkheads for delamination
• Check topsides below stanchion bases and around anchor locker drain for delamination and moisture
• Inspect and test saildrive gearbox; verify bellows age and condition
• Compression test on the Volvo diesel; check freshwater cooling circuit
• Confirm all seacocks operable; inspect bilge for evidence of oil or persistent ingress
• Assess teak deck condition if fitted — repair bills can be significant
• Check deck hardware and through-deck fittings for bedding integrity and signs of water ingress
• Verify autopilot, heating, and any added electronics are functional
• Test the companionway descent practically — it is steeper than it looks in photographs