The Moody 44 2 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 36.0′, the Moody 44 2 tops out around 8.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √36.0′ LWL = 8.0 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
15.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
39.7%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
226
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
29.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.91
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
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
29.2
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
1.91
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Moody 44 2 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Bavaria 44
81s/nm
Island Packet 44
114s/nm
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 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.6 |
5.8 |
6.5 |
6.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.2 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
| Run150–180° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.0 kts),
SA/D (15.9), 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 44 2 — 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 44 2.
|
Moody 44 2 |
Bavaria 44 |
Contest 44 Classic |
Elan 45 |
Island Packet 44 |
Swan 44 Frers |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
44.0 |
44.0 |
44.0 |
44.0 |
44.0 |
44.0 |
| LWL |
36.0 |
38.7 |
38.3 |
37.7 |
37.2 |
34.6 |
| Beam |
13.7 |
14.1 |
13.1 |
13.8 |
13.2 |
13.7 |
| Displacement |
23 |
24 |
39 |
23 |
27 |
24 |
| Ballast |
9 |
8 |
13 |
7 |
12 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
814 |
926 |
990 |
951 |
1 |
890 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
81 |
— |
— |
114 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
15.9 |
17.7 |
13.8 |
18.6 |
18.9 |
17.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
39.7 |
35.5 |
33.9 |
33.8 |
44.8 |
31.4 |
| Comfort |
29.2 |
24.6 |
49.2 |
27.9 |
35.5 |
31.1 |
| Capsize |
1.91 |
2.01 |
1.55 |
1.92 |
1.74 |
1.89 |
| Hull Speed |
8.0 |
8.2 |
8.3 |
8.2 |
8.2 |
7.9 |