1997 Moody 38 vs 2002 Najad 440 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Moody 38 | 2002 Najad 440 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Moody | Najad |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2002–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | Sweden |
| Designer | Bill Dixon | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 59.8 m² (644 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Moody 38 and 2002 Najad 440 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Moody 38 is a 1990s design by Moody from UK, while the 2002 Najad 440 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 1997 Moody 38 was penned by Bill Dixon. The 2002 Najad 440 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1997 Moody 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 2002 Najad 440 at 13.50m (44.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 2002 Najad 440 is 1.92m longer than the 1997 Moody 38. The 2002 Najad 440 displaces approximately 41% 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 2002 Najad 440, with an SA/D of 17.55 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2002 Najad 440 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 2002 Najad 440 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the 1997 Moody 38 and 39.1% for the 2002 Najad 440, 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 2002 Najad 440 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L water and 280L 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 2002 Najad 440 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: 1997 Moody 38 · 2002 Najad 440