Countdown to Moody DS48 world premiere at boot Düsseldorf

Despite being an icy few degrees below zero and located over 200 kilometres from the nearest coastline, the ancient Rhine riverport of Düsseldorf in January is a magnet for sailors from all over the globe, including a dedicated contingent from Australia and New Zealand.

Among the anticipated 260,000 attendees will be Anthony Bishop, Managing Director of Windcraft Yachts, who calls Sydney home but has packed the fleeces and long haul comforts to make the trip to Germany and the world’s largest indoor boat show for a third time.

“There is no other show like boot Düsseldorf,” he says. “In terms of size, sheer numbers of yachts, as well as the buzz and enthusiasm for everything relating to sailing design and technology – it’s all there in these massive halls,” he explains for the uninitiated.

At the top of Bishop’s must see list though, is the all new Moody DS48 which will take centre-stage with a World Premiere on the Moody stand this weekend, January 20-21.

DS stands for Decksaloon, featuring a single-level walkthrough from the cockpit through to the galley and saloon, making the DS48 a rarity among sailing yachts that usually have saloons and galleys below the main deck.

The DS48 cuts an imposing profile. At 15.42 metres or just over 50 feet, with a beam of 4.85m/16 feet, its configuration neatly maximises exterior and interior space on one level, similar to a catamaran, hence the term ‘monomaran’ which has been coined for the Moody DS range which also includes the award-winning Moody DS41 and Moody DS54.

“I’m really looking forward to familiarising myself with some of the features of the DS48,” Bishop confides. “Bill Dixon and the design team have done a fantastic job of creating a boat with serious internal volume, big enough for two couples to live easily on-board for extended periods, combined with impressive sailing performance, and able to be handled by one or two people,” he outlines.

Another advantage of the saloon’s generous proportions is there is enough room for an internal helm with optional autopilot and engine controls for inside steering and operation when the weather invariably deteriorates.

Views through the 360-degree wrap-around windows are spectacular and the large U-shaped lounge around a well-crafted satin-varnished marine ply table is a focal point for a quick sandwich at sea or a formal dinner for six. The full beam galley houses a three-burner gas cooktop, double sink and large worktop. A dishwasher, up to 380-litre refrigerator capacity and a microwave oven are available as options.

Just a few steps down from the comfortable saloon (the only steps on the DS 48), are the spacious accommodations. Thanks to the deck saloon overlapping with the aft cabin, the Moody DS48 offers around 25 per cent more interior space – as much as on a 58-foot yacht. That translates to a large and luxurious master cabin with a semi walk-around island bed and en-suite bathroom. The roomy VIP cabin has its own en-suite with separate shower and so does the guest cabin if you chose the three cabin option over the two cabin version plus utility room which can handily accommodate a washing machine with integrated tumble dryer.

The DS48 also fulfills Moody’s ethos of providing an accomplished and engaging sailing experience. A deck-stepped triple-spreader high-fractional rig points to satisfying performance in a range of conditions, while a double forestay to fly a reacher or gennaker is an option for those contemplating extended blue water passages.

A hard top extends aft over the cockpit to a point just forward of the twin raised helm stations, the centre canvas section sliding away so you can sit under cover or in the sun. There are two stylish cockpit tables, with comfortable lounges to stretch out on while the DS48 makes easy miles to your destination. Once there, the optional wet bar at the stern with barbecue grill, fridge and sink cater for al fresco entertaining.

Cool off the back of the large swim platform which doubles as the launch pad for the DS48’s 2.8m tender, securely housed in a stern garage and quickly deployed thanks to the Moody Smart Tender System that was introduced on the Hanse 510. This is a game changer for using the tender with an electric arm mounted in the tender garage that lifts the tender in and out of the water with a remote control.

The ability of Moody’s decksaloon yachts to combine more than generous interior and exterior space on a single level with impressive sailing performance has made them popular in Australia and New Zealand where the distances involved in cruising often means extended stays away from port.

The new Moody DS48 will present a whole new set of cruising opportunities to those fortunate to secure one.

MORE INFO: hanseyachtsag.com

by Windcraft Yachts