The Moody 38 Eclipse is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 32.2′, the Moody 38 Eclipse tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.2′ LWL = 7.6 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
16.2
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
217
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
24.4
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.06
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
24.4
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.06
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Moody 38 Eclipse sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.0 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
4.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.6 kts),
SA/D (16.2), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Moody 38 Eclipse — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Moody 38 Eclipse.
|
Moody 38 Eclipse |
Bavaria 370 |
Hunter 37 Legend |
Moody 38 2 |
Pearson 38 |
Victoria 38 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
37.5 |
37.4 |
37.5 |
37.5 |
37.5 |
37.5 |
| LWL |
32.2 |
32.5 |
31.3 |
32.1 |
29.6 |
30.5 |
| Beam |
13.0 |
12.5 |
12.8 |
12.3 |
12.3 |
11.6 |
| Displacement |
16 |
16 |
14 |
18 |
15 |
15 |
| Ballast |
6 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
| Sail Area |
645 |
699 |
704 |
— |
655 |
672 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
108 |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.2 |
17.5 |
18.6 |
— |
17.2 |
17.3 |
| Bal/Disp |
40.0 |
35.6 |
40.3 |
28.7 |
— |
41.7 |
| Comfort |
24.4 |
25.2 |
23.2 |
— |
25.9 |
28.3 |
| Capsize |
2.06 |
1.98 |
2.09 |
— |
2.00 |
1.86 |
| Hull Speed |
7.6 |
7.6 |
7.5 |
— |
7.3 |
7.4 |