The Moody 46 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
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 39.0′, the Moody 46 tops out around 8.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √39.0′ LWL = 8.4 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
15.0
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
32.4%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
240
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
33.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.83
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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
33.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.83
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
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° |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.7 |
5.9 |
6.6 |
6.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.3 |
5.4 |
6.1 |
6.3 |
| Run150–180° |
3.4 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.4 kts),
SA/D (15.0), 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 46 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 46.
|
Moody 46 |
Hallberg-Rassy 412 |
Hallberg-Rassy 48 Mkii |
Najad 441 |
Oyster 47 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
46.1 |
41.4 |
49.2 |
44.3 |
47.9 |
| LWL |
39.0 |
37.8 |
43.5 |
37.9 |
38.5 |
| Beam |
14.5 |
13.5 |
14.8 |
13.1 |
13.7 |
| Displacement |
31 |
24 |
40 |
31,967 |
36 |
| Ballast |
10 |
8 |
17 |
13,228 |
14 |
| Sail Area |
945 |
970 |
1 |
990 |
1,100 |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
15.0 |
18.5 |
17.9 |
15.7 |
16.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
32.4 |
34.0 |
41.9 |
41.4 |
38.4 |
| Comfort |
33.8 |
30.1 |
38.4 |
40.1 |
41.6 |
| Capsize |
1.83 |
1.86 |
1.72 |
1.65 |
1.65 |
| Hull Speed |
8.4 |
8.2 |
8.8 |
8.3 |
8.3 |