Practical Boat Owner — January 2018

BOATS

branch system and organised events and

rallies. Technical information and advice

was given via a printed magazine that also

contained feature articles. When websites

and message boards became easier to

create, the MOA enhanced its written

information to members using this new

medium. The association has stabilised at

around 2,000 members – of which the vast

majority are couples – amounting to

around 4,000 people sailing 2,000 boats

of varying sizes and ages.

‘We now have two websites.

moodyowners.org is an open site and

publicises events run by our branches. It

primarily looks forward at events to come,

but also gives some reports of past

events. Our technical resource site,

moodyowners.info, is for members only.’

The site contains over 65,000 posts of

members-only exchange of technical

information about Moody yachts. That’s

some resource! If I were considering

buying a Moody, I’d first invest in

becoming an association member.

Neil adds: ‘If a question is asked, an

answer or advice is usually proffered the

same day, though it can take longer

during the summer when most active

members are out sailing. It’s tightly run

and members are not allowed “handles”

or false names, so it’s very well mannered

and respectful of others’ views.

‘We have 11 branches with various

levels of activity. Four of them have

healthy lists of events (look on

moodyowners.org). Others vary but – like

say Australasia – they are a “local home”

for Moody owners and provide newsletters

to members.’

MOA commodore Paul Kennedy adds:

‘We also publish a house magazine three

times a year, Compass, which is of the

highest quality. It is typically 72 pages and

in full colour.’

It also carries a host of useful adverts

featuring items that will appeal to Moody

owners – and these adverts help defray

the cost of the magazine.

Contessa ownership

The Contessa 26 Association shows how

active owners can have a lot of fun with

smaller, racier yachts – both afloat and

ashore – and retain a high profile, thus

maintaining the value of their boats.

Like many association activists, Mike

Harrison is retired and happy to put in the

effort. When he was working Mike told me

he’d been involved in class committees

for boats such as the National Cadet and

National Sonata, and Burnham Week and

EAORA racing events. Now he has retired

to the Isle of Wight, the Contessa 26 is a

perfect yacht for short-handed cruising,

class events and racing.

The 26’s 50th anniversary was

celebrated in 2016 with a well-attended

rally and class racing is now growing

thanks to the new Class Championship.

Mike sums up the considerable

contribution made by active class

associations saying: ‘These deserve

support from boat owners, and

membership will be on the list of things to

consider when buying one of the

established classes. Volunteers run most

associations and so subscriptions are

invariably low cost.’

Membership can bring many benefits

including sharing technical information,

buying and selling boats and gear and

opportunities to take part in rallying,

racing, social events and meet ups.

‘If class associations are active and

provide what the membership wants, they

can help boost their class’s profile. So

interest in the boats will be maintained

and hopefully this will help the class

longevity.’ Mike says.

Former PBO editor David Pugh is now

Contessa 26 class captain: ‘Members are

a sociable bunch,’ he said. ‘Like most

associations we use racing as an excuse

to convene. The Nationals are now a

regular occurrence, usually somewhere in

the Solent, and we’ve started adding extra

events to the calendar. The AGM is

currently the only non-sailing event,

cunningly held in November when many

are starting to suffer withdrawal symptoms

from sailing and are ready for a gossip.

‘On the water, the class is split between

serious racers with stripped out boats and

IRC ratings, and those of us who compete

to see how fast we can sail packets of

pork pies and tins of beans around a

circuit before retiring to the bar.

‘In Red Dragon we’re in the latter group,

but once ashore the split disappears and

everyone is treated as equal. There are no

cliques, which is refreshing.’

Jeanneau network

Owners of Jeanneaus are particularly well

catered for with an extensive and

beautifully designed website on http://www.

jeanneau-owners.com.

The amazing Malcolm Perrins handles it

all and tells me: ‘The Jeanneau Owners

If I were considering buying a Moody,

I would first invest in becoming an

association member

A gaggle of

Portsmouth-based

Contessa 32s

Members of the Moody Owners’ Association hold a pontoon party

Contessa 32 Association

Moody Owners Association