Year: 1993

Builder: Marine Projects Ltd.

Designer: Bill Dixon

Type: Moody 44 – A Comfortable & Safe Centrecockpit Ocean Cruiser

LOL: 44.00 ft / 13.41 m

LWL: 36.00 ft / 10.97 m

Beam: 13.67 ft / 4.17 m

Draft: 1.8m

Displacement: 23,631.00 lb / 10,719 kg

Engine: Perkins 4 Cylinder 50hp (original with many parts having been replaced during regular maintenance schedule)

Engine hours: aprx 4,000nm

Diesel Tank Capacity: 70 gals / 265 L

Water: 80 gals / 302 L plus Spectra Watermaker & rain catchment system

Cabins: 4 (sleeps 7 in beds, not counting saloon and cockpit capacity)

Reduced Asking Price for quick Sale: 150,000 108,000 USD

Overview

SY Da Capo  is a well-equipped Moody 44 Centre Cockpit designed by Bill Dixon and built by Marine Projects in Plymouth, England. Known for her substantial construction, comfortable center-cockpit layout, and excellent storage and privacy, the Moody 44 is particularly well suited for extended passagemaking, liveaboard cruising, and owners looking to spend serious time aboard.

Our 1993 bluewater cruiser stands out for the depth of her cruising inventory and the number of meaningful upgrades completed in recent years, like all new Trudesign Thruhulls (2023); new lithium house batteries (2024) and Victron equipment (2024). Moroever, solar and wind charging systems, Spectra watermaker, Hydrovane self-steering, AIS, SSB, extensive stainless steel (!) ground tackle, dinghy and outboard, and an impressive spare-parts inventory are already aboard.

Her interior provides excellent separation between living areas and four (!) separate sleeping areas, including a spacious aft owner’s stateroom, forward V-berth, additional twin-bunk cabin, walk through bunk cabin, two heads (one electronic, one manual), generous saloon, dedicated navigation station, and seaworthy galley.

Honest Details & Why we are Selling

For a buyer looking for a proven, ready-to-go, capable blue water cruiser with all systems needed for extended cruising already in placem, Da Capo strikes the perfect balance between safety and comfort. She has been used and upgraded over the years, which makes her uncomparable to many of the falling-apart moring holders found in Panama.

We are letting her go with a heavy heart as our three kids have entered their teens and after spending ten years as a liveaboard family cruising the world, want and need more space and steady land. Since 2025 we have settled in our retreat centre and permaculture farm in Colombia and only been able to sail Da Capo about three months each year. Following best practice, we keep her on the dry in Panama when we are not sailing.

We are transparent about her strengths, eg

• all necessary cruising equipment on board;
• strong brand with safe hull yet comfortable living arrangemnet;
• recent upgrates like new thruhulls (2023), new lithium batteries and Victron battery management system (2025), or new engine mounts and starter (2025)]

as well as her weaknesses

• estetics, eg some wood could do with new varnish, perhaps the antigrip on deck with a layer to cover some stains of years living on her,
• the stainless swiming ladder off the aft-platform was slightly bent by a shark;
• if wanting to insure the boat, some of the rigging might need replacement as insurers can require a rigging of less than ten years of age, despite it being in great condition.

We also much prefer an honest, transparent, friendly private sale and are open to discussing options to make the handover as smooth, easy and enjoyable as possible, including perhaps spending some time with her future owner on board to explain and show all the systems and remain available for questions including after the sale is completed.

Recent Updates

• 2024 Lithium House Batteries – 300Ah
• 2024 Victron Charging System Upgrades
• 2023 TruDesign Composite Thru-Hulls & Seacocks
• Solar Charging System – 685W Total
• Raymarine Axiom 7 Chartplotter
• Raymarine Quantum Wi-Fi Radar
• Spectra Watermaker, 6gph, with lots of maintenance and a brand new membrane aboard
• Hydrovane Windvane Self-Steering, also spare rudder in case of emergency
• Coppercoat Antifouling – 2019, excellent condition, with likely another ten years in it
• Gori 3-Blade Folding Propeller
• New Engine Mounts – January 2026
• Rebuilt Engine Starter – January 2026
• Apex 12′ Hypalon Tender & Yamaha 15 HP Outboard
• New galley countertop and entirely new fridge insulation, 2023. New fridge compressor aboard.

Accommodation

The Moody 44’s center-cockpit arrangement provides an exceptionally practical cruising interior.

Forward is a private V-berth cabin lined by an substantial book shelf and clevery designed fishing gear storage. To port is a forward head with electric toilet, holding tank, washbasin and extensive storage compartment big enough to store carry-on suitcases. To starboard you find a separate twin-bunk cabin with cupboards and more storage under the bottom bunk.

The main saloon features a U-shaped settee surrounding a folding dining table to port with additional armchair-style seating to starboard. In addition to two dedicated liquor storages, the whole saloon is lined with teak cupboards, adding plenty of space to the spaces under the settees. A forward-facing navigation station is located aft to port. To starboard of the compaionway there is a seaworthy galley with two sinks, three stove tops, fridge, freezer and cool box, kitchen work bench which was completely renewed when resealing the fridge in 2023, and more storage compartments to etiher side.

Port and starboard passageways lead aft around the centrally located engine compartment to the owner’s stateroom. The starboard passage provides access to the aft head and shower. The port walkthrough contains a bunk as well as plenty of storage which is where tools and spare parts can be found. The engine can conveniently be accessed from three sides: port, starboard and aft.

The aft owner’s stateroom offers seating to both port and starboard with substantial storage and excellent privacy from the forward accommodations. The bed can be comfortably accessed from both sides and ports to either side, aft, plus a top hatch provide plenty of ventilation for tropical nights.

Interior finishes include varnished teak joinery and trim, white ceiling panels, fans in every cabin and a galley countertop renewed in 2023.

Hull & Deck

Da Capo features a solid GRP hull constructed to Lloyd’s certification, supported by glassed-in marine plywood bulkheads and GRP floors. The deck is GRP with balsa-core sandwich reinforcement in high-stress areas and is mechanically fastened and bonded to the hull.

Notable hull and deck equipment includes:

• Coppercoat antifouling – 2019. Still in perfect condition with likely at least another ten years of life in it.
• TruDesign composite thru-hulls – All were replaced in 2023 as some of the old brass handles had seized.
• TruDesign ball-valve seacocks – 2023
• Stainless steel bow fitting with dual anchor rollers. Anchor can be controlled with remote control from the cockpit.
• Stainless steel pulpit and pushpits
• Double lifelines with stainless reiling along the aft
• Aluminum toerail
• Lewmar opening hatches – forward one is patched up and could do with replacing. All others are in good state.
• Stainless steel dinghy davits
• Outboard engine davit
• Transom swim platform with folding boarding ladder – priceless!

Canvas & Weather Protection

• Stainless steel-framed flexible dodger with high quality canvas – 2023
• Additional shade cover with customised raincatchment system over aft-cabin hatch and aft-deck – 2023
• Stainless steel-framed bimini
• Full zippered cockpit enclosure with Strataglass – 2020

Rig & Sails

The aluminum Kemp mast is deck-stepped with a stainless steel compression post extending to the keel. The rig features double swept spreaders, in-mast mainsail furling and a 6-meter whisker pole mounted on a forward mast track.

One can comfortably handle all sails from the safety of the cockpit single handedly.

Standing rigging was renewed in 2009. In 2019 some parts like the aft stays were replaced. In 2021 spreader embeddings in fibreglass were reinforced. In 2023 Chainplates were rebedded. Since 2021 yearly complete rig inspections have found no reason to replace it as it is still in good condition. 

Sail Inventory

• North Sails furling mainsail – currently in use
• UK Sails furling mainsail with vertical battens
• Lucas furling genoa
• UK Sails hank-on heavy genoa
• Spinnaker – rarely used
• Storm jib
• Trysail
• Genoa sheets renewed – 2022

Winches

• (2) Lewmar 50 two-speed self-tailing primary winches
• Lewmar 30 two-speed self-tailing cockpit winch
• Lewmar 16 coachroof winch
• Lewmar 16 self-tailing coachroof winch
• Lewmar 40 two-speed self-tailing mast winch

Engine & Propulsion

This Moody is powered by a Perkins Prima M50 50 HP four-cylinder diesel with 4,000 hours.

Recent and notable service includes:

• NEW engine mounts – January 2026
• Rebuilt engine starter – January 2026
• Fuel lift pump replaced – 2024
• Raw-water pump replaced – 2022
• Heat exchanger replaced – 2018
• Fresh-water cooling pump replaced – 2015
• Spare fresh-water pump aboard
• 90-amp engine alternator
• Hurth 50 gearbox
• Gori three-blade folding propeller – 2013
• Extensive spare parts, filters and tool inventory aboard

Electrical & Charging Systems: Solar & Wind

The electrical system has received substantial recent upgrades designed to support extended cruising away from shore power.

• (3) Lithium batteries totaling 300Ah – 2024
• AGM engine starting battery – 2025
• Victron SmartShunt – 2024
• Balmar SG200 battery monitor – 2020
• Victron AC/shore-power battery charger – 2024
• Victron Orion 30A charging system – 2024
• Xantrex 2,000W pure-sine inverter – 2021
• Spare Xantrex 1,000W pure-sine inverter
• 395W solar panel – 2022
• (2) 145W solar panels
• TriStar MPPT solar controller
• D400 wind generator
• Yamaha 800W portable gasoline generator
• 90A engine alternator plus spare 70A alternator

Navigation & Electronics

• Raymarine Axiom 7 chartplotter – 2021
• Raymarine Quantum Wi-Fi radar – 2020
• Raymarine ST70 instrument display*
• Raymarine P70 autopilot controller
• Raymarine Type 2/X30 autopilot
• Hydrovane VXA2D XL+15 wind-vane self-steering
• Silva magnetic compass
• GPS-76 handheld GPS
• Spare depth/speed/temperature transducer
• NASA Meteoman
• Barigo barometer/thermometer/hygrometer

*ST70 LCD screen noted as needing repair/replacement.

Communications

• Standard Horizon VHF with AIS and cockpit remote
• Standard Horizon waterproof handheld VHF with GPS/DSC
• Uniden handheld VHF
• GME AIS transponder
• Icom 802 SSB
• Dragon Pactor modem
• NASA Clipper Navtex

Galley & Domestic Systems

The galley is equipped for serious cruising and extended time aboard.

• Three-burner gimballed propane stove and oven – 2014
• Frigomatic 12V two-compartment refrigerator/freezer – 2013
• Entirely new fridge insulation – 2023
• Spare refrigerator compressor – 2024
• Stainless steel double sink
• Hot and cold pressure water
• Saltwater galley foot pump – 2021
• Quick BX25 water heater
• Spectra watermaker – approximately 6 GPH
• Spare watermaker membrane – 2022
• Two 40-gallon polyethylene freshwater tanks, interconnected mid-ship

Ground Tackle

• 25 kg stainless steel Lewmar Delta anchor
• 72 meters of 10 mm stainless steel chain
• Fortress FX-23 aluminum anchor with rode
• 22 kg CQR anchor with rode
• Dinghy anchor
• Approximately 100 meters of spare nylon rode/warps
• Simpson Lawrence Horizon 1000 electric windlass/capstan*

*Downward control noted as requiring a new solenoid.

Tender

• Apex 12′ Hypalon dinghy
• Yamaha Enduro 15 HP two-stroke outboard – approx. 2018
• Stainless steel transom dinghy davits
• Plastimo outboard crane
• Multiple spare fuel tanks

Safety Equipment

Da Capo carries an extensive offshore safety inventory including:

• Plastimo 6-person liferaft – last inspected and content renewed in 2023
• GME 406 MHz GPS EPIRB
• Lifesling MOB system
• DanBuoy inflatable lifebuoy
• Four inflatable life jackets, new gas cylinders 2022
• Yellow Brick with extensive battery life
• Four harnesses
• Jackline
• Radar reflector
• Grab bag
• Fire extinguishers in every room
• Automatic engine-room Halon extinguisher
• Fire blanket
• Smoke alarms
• Comprehensive first-aid supplies

Contact us if…

If you are seriously interested, please get in touch. If you are going to send me a list of things you’d like to replace or upgrade, including personal safety gear and exagerated prices on all items, to justify a further price drop of 50 percent, I would much appreciate you don’t waste neither your nor our time. It’s happened… Our price reflects her strenghts and weaknesses and current state and here-below-mentioned equipment, all of which we have disclosed here to the best of our knowing and understanding.

She is ready to go cruising, and also as all boats, always with things to improve or upgrade depending on your priorities and likings. For us, she has been the best family cruiser ever and kept us sound and safe across many passages, weather situations, countries and unforgettable adventures.

A bit more on our and SY Da Capo’s History & Flag

Da Capo is our fourth boat, and our second Moody. After sailing Australia’s East Coast for several years, we started our liveaboard adventure with two babies on board when Dini (Captain) was 29 and Pablo (First Mate and Engineer) 33 years old. After sailing the Mediterranean for several years on a Moody 42 (We are big Moody fans!), we sold SY Happy Dancer in Malta in 2016 to head back to Australia for the birth of our third child.

In 2021, amidst the pandemic, we left Australia for the Caribbean which is where we found our current Moody 44. We are her third owner and, like the previous Australian owners who were a retired couple, have her registerd in Australia. Her first owner was Austrian. From our understanding, she has been in and around the Caribbean since about 2009.