1997/98 Moody 36 Centre Cockpit Bilge Keel – Rare Shallow-Draft Cruiser

Designed by Bill Dixon and built by Marine Projects, Avalon of Hamble is a superbly specified example of the sought-after Moody 36 Centre Cockpit. She is one of just fifteen rare bilge keel versions ever built.

With a shallow 1.2m draft, she delivers exceptional cruising versatility. Explore creeks, access drying harbours, and cruise shallow coastlines with confidence. Her twin keels allow safe drying out, while the renowned Moody hull form ensures steady, sea-kindly performance offshore.

The centre cockpit features wheel steering and deep coamings for secure, comfortable sailing. She handles with ease short-handed or as a couple.

A reliable Volvo MD2040 40hp engine powers her, showing 1,561 hours as of February 2026. The saildrive and folding prop enhance efficiency under sail. A Vetus 55kgf bow thruster, upgraded with a six-bladed prop in 2023, provides precise manoeuvring in tight marinas. Tankage includes 218 litres of fuel, 327 litres of water, and a 30-litre holding tank.

Her Selden sloop rig, with standing rigging renewed in 2016, carries a Hyde fully battened mainsail and furling genoa. A Crusader cruising chute adds downwind performance. Lewmar self-tailing winches ensure simple, controlled sail handling.

A comprehensive 2023 refit significantly enhanced comfort and autonomy. She benefits from a new sprayhood, cockpit enclosure, bimini, and stackpack. A 110W Marlec solar panel and upgraded batteries support extended off-grid cruising.

Below decks, seven berths span two cabins. The generous aft owner’s suite offers privacy and comfort. Eberspacher heating extends the season. A well-equipped galley and a full Raymarine navigation suite complete the inventory.

Freshly antifouled and prepared for the 2026 season, she lies ashore at Birdham Pool Marina in West Sussex and is ready for inspection. This is a rare opportunity to secure a cruising-ready Moody 36 Centre Cockpit with shallow-draft capability.

Construction

White GRP hull

Solid white GRP laminate below waterline

Balsa core sandwich above waterline hull

White GRP with integrated non-slip deck

Balsa core sandwich deck with extensive non slip surface

Bilge keel type

Teak capped bulwark toe rails

Bow midships and stern heavy weight stainless steel mooring cleats

Forward towing and mooring bollard

Wheel steering with cables to aft quadrant and balanced rudder

Machinery

Volvo MD2040 40hp

Original engine age

1561 engine hours 01.02.26 not certified

Saildrive to folding prop

Vetus BOW5512 55kgf bow thruster new 6 bladed prop 2023

Electrics

12v and 220v onboard voltage

3 x YUASA L35 115Amp/H domestic batteries 2023

DYNAMP 40Amp/H engine battery 2026

Merlin Poweramp 220 VAC multi stage 2 output battery charger

Studer SBM-01 high precision battery monitor at chart table

110w Marlec Sunpower solar panel with PWM controller fitted 2023

Galvanic isolator fitted

Shore power

Tankage

218 ltrs fuel capacity

327 ltrs water capacity in 2 tanks

30 ltrs holding capacity

Accommodation

7 berths

2 cabins

2 double berths

3 single berths

Heads

Eberspacher D3LC diesel cabin heating

Plastimo Atlantic Plus 2 burner hob grill and oven cooker

Microwave

Fridge

Kenwood KDC-4060 entertainment system with 2 internal and 2 cockpit speakers

Joinery from specifications

Deck

Simpson Lawrence Horizon Express windlass

CQR type anchor with 35 meters 10mm galvanised chain 2023

Danforth type kedge anchor with 40 meters Anchorplait

Full complement of warps and fenders including 2 ball fenders and fender skirt

Boat hook and mooring hook

Swimming ladder

Inflatable dinghy stowage system on stern with base mounts for davits or arch

Hot and cold deck shower

Spray hood with bimini and full cockpit enclosure

Navigation

Raymarine Quantum 2018 radar

Raymarine Axium Pro 2018 plotter

Raymarine ST600 Plus 1998 autopilot

Raymarine i50 2018 speed log

Raymarine i60 2018 wind indicator

Raymarine i50 2018 depth

ICS NAV4 Plus 1998 Navtex

Plastimo 1998 compass

Standard Horizon GX1850GPS with binnacle mounted RAM4 remote mic 2022/23 VHF

Axiom onboard wireless network not enabled or tested

Raymarine AIS700 Class B transceiver 2018 AIS receiver transmitter

Axiom Plus mounted in Scanstrut pod at helm

VHF remote mic at helm

Depth speed wind and multi display mounted by hatch under spray hood

Garmin GPS 120XL backup at chart table

ICS NAV4 Navtex receiver at chart table

Tenders

Tender by arrangement

Outboard by arrangement

Safety

2 life buoys

Dan buoy

Electric bilge pump

Manual bilge pump

Radar reflector

Emergency tiller

Gas alarm

Fire blanket

The condition or level of safety equipment on board is not to be negotiated on following survey. It is likely to be listed by most surveyors but is not structural or an integral working part of the vessel and is not to be used to further negotiate the price down after survey. We strongly suggest that for your own personal safety that when purchasing a yacht you provide new safety equipment rather than relying on second hand gear.

Should you become the new owner of this yacht then the responsibility to re-register or update official bodies for items such as EPIRB, VHF, MMSI or AIS becomes yours.

Rig & Sails

Sloop rig

Stainless steel standing rigging 2016

Selden spars with Selden spinnaker pole fitted to mast

Winches

2 x Lewmar 44 self tailing 2 speed genoa sheet winches

Lewmar 32 self tailing 2 speed halyard winch

Lewmar 16 single speed with Wincher halyard winch

Lewmar 16 self tailing single speed furling winch

Sails

Hyde Fully battened mainsail with 3 reefs led back to cockpit 2012

Hyde furling genoa 2012

Crusader cruising chute with snuffer 2010 little used spinnaker