1987 Beneteau First 38 vs 1992 Moody 41 — Comparison
1992 Moody 41
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | 1992 Moody 41 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Moody |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 9,800 kg (21,605 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 70.0 m² (754 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 360 L (95.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 1992 Moody 41 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1992 Moody 41 is a 1990s offering from Moody from UK. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1992 Moody 41 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1992 Moody 41 at 12.50m (41.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1992 Moody 41 is 0.92m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 38. The 1992 Moody 41 displaces approximately 39% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 1992 Moody 41, with an SA/D of 15.53 and 70.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1992 Moody 41 has a comfort ratio of 20.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 38.8% for the 1992 Moody 41, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1992 Moody 41 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 360L water and 180L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1992 Moody 41 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1987 Beneteau First 38 · 1992 Moody 41