Moody
Moody 346
The Moody 346 is one of Northern Europe's most recognisable production sailboats. Designed by Bill Dixon for Moody and built from 1990 to 1997, roughly 100–150 hulls left the yard — a British centre-cockpit cruiser with sugar-scoop transom and protected helm positions that still attract UK expat owners in Scandinavia. With 10.55 m LOA, 3.38 m beam, and about 5,486 kg displacement, the model suits couples and small families cruising the Baltic, Skagerrak, and North Sea. The Moody 346 evolved the Moody 34 hull with a boarding platform, twin opening transom ports, and a two-cabin layout that reads as a "liveaboard 34-footer" on first inspection — fore cabin, saloon, aft cabin, and a centre cockpit that keeps the helmsperson sheltered in North Sea chop. Fin-keel and bilge-keel variants appear on Nordic imports; survey focus follows Moody family themes from the late 1980s and 1990s. Listings on UK portals and Scandinavian brokerage sites show price spreads driven by Thornycroft/Volvo diesel upgrades, standing-rigging invoices, and whether the boat retained original Moody joinery. Buyers often compare against Moody 376, Westerly Fulmar 32, and Jeanneau SO 35 listings at similar LOA. Nordic buyers should compare asking price against documented rigging, saildrive or shaft-drive service, and chainplate bedding — cosmetic refreshes rarely replace deferred structural maintenance. Expect 70,000–180,000 kr annual baseline in Swedish marinas with realistic technical reserves. FairHelm tracks Moody 346 listings because these hulls trade steadily on Blocket, Scanboat, and German brokerage sites. Buyers are rarely choosing between "good" and "bad" boats — they are choosing between documented maintenance and deferred work. A polished teak cockpit or new plotter does not cancel unknown rigging age, keel-bolt corrosion, or moisture at chainplates. That is why survey discipline matters more here than brand romance. For Nordic ownership, Moody 346 works as a coastal weekender with occasional longer passages when equipped for cold-water sailing: reliable heating, solid ground tackle, and a realistic technical reserve beyond berth and insurance. Compare adjacent models in FairHelm's [model guides](/en/yachts/models/) and read survey notes before committing a deposit. The cheapest asking price on Blocket is rarely the cheapest boat to own over three seasons. When you shortlist a Moody 346, build a simple survey scorecard: hull moisture, rigging age, drivetrain service, and chainplate integrity. Owner forums and yard quotes from Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Helsingør help you separate cosmetic refresh from structural deferral — especially on boats marketed as "ready to sail" without invoices.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Production
- 1990–1997
- LOA
- 10.55 m
- Beam
- 3.38 m
- Model
- Moody 346
Technical data
- Length overall (LOA)
- 10.55 m
- Beam
- 3.38 m
- Production years
- 1990–1997
Typical problems
- What standing rigging fatigue issues appear on Moody 346?
- Unknown rigging age is common on UK coastal imports; budget 25,000–45,000 kr if invoices are missing.
- What chainplate leak issues appear on Moody 346?
- Chainplate bedding failures often show as ceiling stains — moisture mapping before purchase; rebedding runs 6,000–18,000 kr per zone.
- What deck core moisture issues appear on Moody 346?
- Stanchion bases and genoa tracks concentrate water ingress without periodic rebedding.
- What Thornycroft/Volvo engine service issues appear on Moody 346?
- Original diesel installs need impeller and exhaust elbow documentation; cooling neglect is expensive.
- What bilge-keel fairing wear issues appear on Moody 346?
- Twin bilge-keel variants show stub wear after drying moorings; essential inspection at haul-out.
Design History
Moody introduced the 346 in the late 1980s as Bill Dixon refined the successful Moody 34 centre-cockpit formula with a sugar-scoop transom and improved aft-cabin access. Marine Projects in Plymouth built the model for owner-cruisers rather than charter fleets — a profile that still defines UK import listings in Baltic marinas. Production ran from 1990 to 1997; registry and Moody Owners Association sources cite approximately 100–150 completed hulls in Nordic brokerage samples.
The Moody 346 combined solid GRP construction with a protected centre cockpit and two-cabin privacy unusual for sub-35-foot cruisers of the era. Fin-keel versions dominate Scandinavian listings; bilge-keel UK patterns need specific haul-out fairing inspection before pricing against fin-keel alternatives.
Mid-production changes were mostly interior trim, engine options, and deck hardware rather than fundamental hull revisions. That means survey condition, winter storage history, and rigging invoices usually matter more than the model year printed on the brochure. When you evaluate a Moody 346 on Blocket, treat the maintenance story as part of the specification — not a footnote after the asking price.
Annual Ownership Costs
| Cost item | Low (SEK) | High (SEK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina berth | 22,000 | 48,000 | 10.55 m class, Stockholm/Gothenburg |
| Insurance | 8,000 | 22,000 | Agreed value and cruising area |
| Haul-out + winter | 12,000 | 28,000 | Yard package varies by region |
| Antifouling + hull care | 6,000 | 16,000 | Materials and labour |
| Engine / drivetrain | 5,000 | 16,000 | Thornycroft/Volvo service intervals |
| Rigging reserve | 7,000 | 20,000 | Standing rigging age |
| Deck / structural reserve | 6,000 | 22,000 | Bedding, moisture follow-up |
| Total annual | 70,000 | 180,000 | Excludes major refit years |
Annual ownership for Moody 346 is predictable when service records are complete. Berth, storage, and insurance dominate fixed costs in Sweden. Centre-cockpit layouts add survey focus on companionway drainage and aft-cabin ventilation. Keep a separate technical reserve so routine season costs stay stable — especially on Blocket boats marketed as "ready to sail" without invoices.
Pre-Purchase Survey Checklist
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist: Moody 346
Hull, Keel and Underwater Body
- Moisture-map the underwater hull; document osmosis or barrier-coat history on Moody 346 GRP of this era.
- Inspect keel-to-hull joint, keel bolts (if external iron), and backing structure for movement or recurring fairing cracks.
- Check rudder bearings and steering linkage under load during sea trial.
Deck and Hardware
- Test bedding at stanchions, tracks, and winches; open nearby interior access if damp stains appear.
- Inspect hatches and portlights for seal compression and core moisture at corners.
- Verify chainplate areas internally for rust staining or soft laminate.
Rig and Sail Systems
- Confirm standing rigging age with invoices; treat unknown age as near-term replacement on club-used hulls.
- Inspect mast step, spreaders, and terminals for corrosion or fatigue marks.
- Operate furling and reefing systems under realistic load.
Machinery and Systems
- Review engine and drivetrain service including cooling, exhaust elbow, and mounts.
- Audit batteries, charging, and owner-added electrical work for safe fusing.
- Check tanks, bilges, and hoses for age-related seepage.