Moody 48 Deck Saloon boat test

There’s no denying the spatial attraction of multihulls, with vast deck real estate and single-level living from cockpit to saloon. But what if you could combine those characteristics with the sailing benefits offered by monohulls?

That’s where Moody’s Deck Saloon range enters the frame, offering an impressive, stylish and luxurious combination of the two.

The 48 Deck Saloon (DS48) is a totally new boat that immediately projects a distinctive presence, its towering freeboard matching that of a neighbouring Riviera.

Our test boat, hull #16, sports a gleaming ‘Infinity Blue’ paint job with light chines, a plumb bow and stern, and a very generous beam of 4.85m. The deck is dominated by a huge, curved deck saloon.

Boarding is best via the swim platform, which doubles as the launch pad for a 2.8m tender, securely housed in a stern garage - an electric arm lifts the tender via a remote control.

Retractable hydraulic steps take you up to the dual helms and, on this boat, an outdoor galley with wet bar grill. You’re immediately protected from the elements in the Moody’s cockpit - a great place to relax, drink and dine.

Simon Coles, from Dixon Yacht Design, says the design brief was to create a three-cabin version of the Moody DS41. The team spent hours on the boat’s hull shape and performance.

“A key point with Moody is they have to sail as well as they look,” Coles notes. “We worked really hard on reducing wetted surface with well-balanced lines. As well, we very much kept in mind the Moody ethos of bluewater cruising with amazing 360-degree views,” he added.

With those parameters in mind we left Pittwater, bound for the Gold Coast, with a benign south-westerly that required some assistance from the 150hp Yanmar. By midnight, driving rain squalls had dampened the ambience … it was then the true value of the Moody DS48’s deck saloon was apparent.

The DS48’s layout makes internal helming not only possible, but pleasurable. The dedicated nav station to port with its 12” Raymarine Axion Pro screen, autopilot and electric engine throttle means you can sit at the nav table and have all the critical functions within easy reach.

The Moody’s panoramic curved saloon front window grants more than adequate forward visibility. If you have sails up, which we did in the form of the self-tacker to stabilise the motion, then the sail can be adjusted from the cockpit winches, ensuring you stay warm and dry.

The engine didn’t miss a beat and exhibited a definite sweet spot around 2400 - 2500 rpm where it burbled happily away consuming around 12.5lt/h for 8.2 knots boat speed.

The highlight came when we could take full advantage of the Moody’s versatile sail plan. The triple-spreader Selden rig with in-mast furling is controlled from the helm with the push of a button. The self-tacker and reacher are on electric furlers.

The main unfurled in under 30 seconds and, with the self-tacker deployed, the boat responded quickly to puffs and logged 7.2 knots in 11.3 knots of true wind. The single deep rudder provided plenty of bite and the delightful Jefa steering belied the heft and power the DS48 exerts when powered-up on the breeze.

We did even better with 135 per cent reacher out, clocking 9 knots in just over 12 knots of true breeze. After a few goes, alternating between the self-tacker and the reacher became a smooth operation, three of us easily managing the sail-handling thanks to the four Lewmar powered winches.

As well, the single-level configuration connecting the saloon to the cockpit with the galley proved ideal. With more than adequate bench space either just inside the full height sliding doors you could make a sandwich or wrap and prepare our happy hour charcuterie board.

More substantial hot offerings involved the microwave as it was just easier and cleaner to eat ready meals in their own containers rather than try and cook in some of the conditions we experienced.

Sleeping amenities were also a revelation. Used to the cramped conditions aboard racing yachts and smaller cruisers, I luxuriated in the plush starboard VIP cabin with its two generous singles, large en-suite toilet and separate shower, hull window and ventilation hatch opening onto the sidedeck.

Even more enticing is the huge master cabin in the bow, where a large island berth, 2m long and 1.87m wide, boasts spectacular views out of the hull windows. 

The trip did uncover an oversight common to many yachts these days – a lack of handholds. There are substantial grab rails outside on the cockpit roof and the solid stainless steel rails topping the deep walk-around decks are as safe as you can get, but there needs to be a few more at the end of the cockpit roof, in the saloon and especially in the bathrooms.

If you want a vessel that will get you to your destination swiftly and safely, possesses an inviting layout and all the amenities for comfortable, gracious living once you arrive then the Moody DS48 should be on your radar.

The Moody transports its crew in a level of refined luxury that will be the envy of the vast majority of fellow sailors, and its internal helm station is an absolute game-changer on long bluewater passages.

Price correct as of September 2025

• Priced from: $A2,000,000

• LOA: 15.42m
• Beam: 4.85m
• Draft: 2.15m
• Sail area: 130.9m²
• Displacement: 21,160kg
• Fuel capacity: 1200lt      
• Water capacity: 570lt
• Power: Yanmar 150hp diesel

A FULL REVIEW OF THE MOODY 48 DECK SALOON SPORTS EXPRESS RAN IN THE AUG- SEPT (40.4) ISSUE OF CLUB MARINE MAGAZINE. 

VISIT WINDCRAFT YACHTS FOR MORE INFORMATION.