1997 Moody 38 vs 1998 Feeling 44 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Moody 38 | 1998 Feeling 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Moody | Feeling |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 1998–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | France |
| Designer | Bill Dixon | Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 59.8 m² (644 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Moody 38 and 1998 Feeling 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Moody 38 is a 1990s design by Moody from UK, while the 1998 Feeling 44 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The 1997 Moody 38 was penned by Bill Dixon. The 1998 Feeling 44 was designed by Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios.
In terms of size, the 1997 Moody 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1998 Feeling 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 1998 Feeling 44 is 1.83m longer than the 1997 Moody 38. The 1998 Feeling 44 displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Moody 38 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.98 and 59.8 m² of sail area. The 1998 Feeling 44, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1998 Feeling 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1997 Moody 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1998 Feeling 44 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the 1997 Moody 38 and 38.1% for the 1998 Feeling 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Moody 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1998 Feeling 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Moody 38 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 1998 Feeling 44 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1998 Feeling 44 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1997 Moody 38 · 1998 Feeling 44