Moody DS48: A comfortable fifty for luxury sailing and motoring

With its Moody 48DS, the shipyard is setting the tone: 360° of luxury in 48 feet. A visit to this half-sail, half-engine fifty confirms this positioning, with a layout that's not short of tricks to make the most of life on board.

Moody's renewal continues

A British shipyard with over a century of history, Moody began building and repairing trawlers in 1827, and made a name for itself in the sailing world from 1935 onwards. By the 1960s, its deck saloon yachts were already making a name for themselves. Since its takeover by the German Hanse group, the brand has resolutely opted for a new range of sailing yachts, in the vein of the fifty, with large deck saloons, inaugurated in 2008 with the DS45. With the introduction of the MoodyDS48 in 2024, the manufacturer inaugurates the second generation of these German-British deck-saloon yachts.

A large, comfortable aft cockpit

Access on board is either via one of the two gates located behind the helm stations, or, when the boat is alongside the quay, via accommodation ladders to compensate for the high freeboard.

A key element of the Moody, the aft cockpit is on the same level as the interior saloon, two steps lower than the helm stations. The space, which includes two beautiful tables and their bench seats, is well protected by the roof's cap, which extends along the entire length of the boat. The central canvas section can be opened for sunbathing if required. Sturdy handrails ensure good circulation.

The aft living space is complemented by an outdoor galley located in the central block closing the transom, which also serves as a bench seat alongside the helmsman.

A second exterior cockpit

The foredeck is accessed via the gangways, secured by a high bulwark. Here you'll find a huge sundeck, as well as a small forward saloon, with its own table, to make the most of the open air.

Des mains-courantes joliment intégrées
Beautifully integrated handrails

On the roof, solar panels can supplement on-board power generation.

Triple helm station

Two helm stations aft, one on each side, offer visibility over the roof. Suitable for sailing with 131 m2 of sail area, including 52 m2 of self-tacking jib, they are within easy reach of winches and maneuvers.

In addition, a third maneuvering station, under autopilot or engine, is cleverly positioned inside. Comfortably seated facing the road in a comfortable sofa, the skipper controls the boat, without a real helm station taking up too much space in the deck saloon.

A 360° show

From the cockpit, a large bay window gives access to the interior. On the starboard side is the well-equipped galley, with sash windows that ventilate the space well while serving as a pass-through to the cockpit. On port, a bar area completes the preparation of meals and aperitifs.

Forward, a large table with U-shaped benches will host meals on starboard, while two people can sit opposite each other on port at a second table. The windows offer a stunning all-round view, complemented by deck hatches for zenithal light.

Comfortable cabins

A few more steps lead down to the cabins: two aft for guests, and a forward owner's cabin with good headroom under the forward sundeck.

Cabine arrière
Rear cabin
Cabine avant
Front cabin
Salle de bain.
Bathroom.

The Moody DS48's resolutely luxurious positioning is reflected in its quality finishes and equipment levels. Offered at a standard price of ?1 million excluding VAT, the version shown here retails for ?1.26 million. The Inboard engine is 110 or 150 hp.

Une vraie salle machine, bien qu'un peu basse
A real machine room, albeit a little low-lying
More articles on the theme