02 May
We have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the exceptional new Moody DS48 and now it’s here. Our first impression is: impressive space, both external and internal.
Ever since the Moody DS48 was unveiled at last year’s boot Düsseldorf Windshift has scrolled enthusiastically to find reviews and any news about the big luxury bluewater cruiser.
The wait has been worth it. The latest Bill Dixon Moody design is berthed at Windcraft’s Bayview head office, as a squad of trades quietly and efficiently go about working-up the DS 48’s systems and installing the extras from the factory.
Walking along the dock the first thing Windshift noticed was the Moody’s high freeboard, accentuated by solid raised bulwarks and stainless-steel life rails that run from stem to stern.
The DS48’s topsides look higher than the Hanse 510’s, that itself requires a three-step boarding arrangement to get to the gunwale.
As Yachting Monthly’s Theo Stocker noted in his review:
“High topsides, muscular bow sections and a formidable deck house make the Moody DS48 an imposing sight, even standing alongside her on the pontoon. Point her bows towards the open sea, set all 165m2 of her canvas and with 21 tonnes of boat in full motion, she becomes even more formidable.
Most boats these days aim to be lighter, faster and more open, but that doesn’t necessarily result in better seaboats or more comfortable passage-making. Not the Moody DS48, however. From the moment you scale her boarding ladder (there are steps which fold out from the solid guardrails to help surmount her deep bulwarks), and set foot on her recessed sidedecks, this is a boat that you are in, rather than on.”
Read the full review here:
But that’s not to say the Moody’s lines aren’t pleasing – far from it. Hull #16 sports a gleaming ‘Infinity Blue’ paint job with light chines, a plumb bow and stern, and a generous beam of 4.85 metres or 15’ 11’’ that is carried well aft. There’s little sheer, and the deck is dominated by the huge curved deck saloon which is both unmistakable and highly individualistic.
The deck saloon design concept has been a part of Moody’s lineup for over a decade, starting with the DS45, then the DS41 and now the DS48. The primary goal is to give a monohull the same kind of single-level cockpit-to-cabin flow, as well as 360-degree views in the main living spaces, that one might expect on a multihull more than a monohull. Hence Moody’s creation of the term ‘monomaran’, emphasising relaxed single-level living with room reminiscent of catamaran.
These above-deck spaces have been configured to be as flexible as possible, with protection from the elements and the ability to take in plenty of light and breeze, while cabins and heads are aligned in a more private setting on a separate accommodation deck a few steps down from the saloon.
Simon Coles, senior designer, production yachts at Dixon Yacht Design has previously explained the initial design brief for this boat was to take the award-winning Moody DS41 and make it into a three-cabin version. He also revealed the design team spent a lot of hours on the boat’s hull shape and performance.
“A key point with Moody is they have to sail as well as they look,” he noted. “We worked really hard on reducing wetted surface with well-balanced lines. As well we very much kept in mind the Moody ethos of bluewater cruising with amazing 360-degree views, connecting the inside with the outside,” he added.
“The hull shape aft has been refined to cope with more displacement, without dragging the transom, while maximising waterline length,” Simon continued. “She’s also got a relatively deep forefoot, though it’s not quite a vee, to make her more sea-kindly, and buoyancy has been distributed carefully to maximise stability, avoiding unbalanced shapes when heeled. It helps that she has a good ballast ratio and a very low centre of gravity,” he said.
Windshift was on-board for the short delivery trip from Woolwich Dock in Sydney Harbour to Pittwater where the remainder of commissioning work is being carried-out. We didn’t roll a sail out, but the big Moody was untroubled by the 1-1.5m beam swell, while the 150hp Yanmar was quiet and back in the protected waters of Pittwater pushed the DS48 easily along at 8.5 knots.
The Owner of hull #16, an experienced and knowledgeable sailor, elected to have synthetic teak on the recessed side decks, cockpit floor, as well as the folding helm seats, cockpit benches and the large swim platform. The natural feel nicely complements the anti-slip GRP elsewhere on the deck and will be less costly to maintain than the real thing.
Particularly noticeable was how pleasant it was inside the saloon while underway. We didn’t have the internal helm to port with its remote autopilot and electric engine control hooked-up but I could envisage how amenable it would be on extended passages to recline on the lounges, close to the galley and take-in the panoramic views as the Moody made stately progress at 8 – 10 knots.
The saloon’s interior trim of floorboards from New Zealand Acacia, agreeably contrasted with the Oxford Blue of the lounges and traditional mahogany satin finish of the cabinetry, creating an overall feel of luxurious comfort.
The stylish trim choices are continued through the three cabins, each with its own private en-suite.
The Owners cabin boasts enormous volume thanks to the DS48’s full bow sections and features a very large (2m long and 1.87m wide), semi-walk around double bed, its own head and shower compartment, along with ample cabinetry for clothes and personal items.
Hull #16 has the layout with the VIP cabin to starboard with two single bunks, the slightly sunken floor enhancing space and light. The guest cabin port has a single bunk with loads of storage space that would welcome on extended stays away from port.
According to the reviews the Moody DS48 is enjoyable and easy to sail, capable of 9.3 knots in 12 knots of true breeze while close reaching under the big 135 percent genoa and full main. We’ll be able to provide more info on the numbers and how the DS48 handles offshore conditions after the trip from Pittwater to Sanctuary Cove in time for the start of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on May 22nd
Join us for the Asis-Pacific Premiere of the Moody DS48 and skip the queue at SCIBS by booking your personal VIP tour of the DS48 here:
For more information on the Moody DS48 go to
