Sixty Moody yachts gathered at Cowes for the first event to celebrate 2010 – the 25th Anniversary of the Moody Owners’ Association. The yachts ranged from 28ft to 54ft and their crews were entertained by a Dixieland jazz band, and a reception at the Royal Corinthian YC.

Racing events took place, sponsored by Harken, in testing and blustery conditions, and the Race Officers of the Island Sailing Club ably managed a fleet of cruising yachts racing at close quarters. Good practice for the Round the Island race.  The race overall was won by MOA President, designer Bill Dixon sailing his Moody 47 ‘Tikka’, and Harken managed to award a prize to virtually every competitor.  The closing sail past was over a mile long.

The year started with the AGM, attended by 100 members, including MOA founders Geoff and Topsy Godfrey, and Tom Cunliffe, who gave a hilarious talk on the advances in navigation he has seen over his long career.

During 2010 there will be more anniversary events:

East Coast Branch   RCYC Burnham – 9 – 11 July

South West Branch – Cardiff 2 – 4 July; Plymouth 10 – 13 August

Commodore’s Rally – St Peter Port 3 – 6 September

Commodore Steve Westwood said:
“2010 is a great year for the MOA.  We have grown very rapidly over the last few years, reaching 1500 members for the first time in January, and we formed a USA Chapter, in addition to the already strong groups in the UK, Mediterranean and France.
The events for the 25th anniversary give the whole Association a chance to celebrate on and off the water. Our magazine Compass and the MOA website are among the finest examples of their kind, and provide Moody owners with the firm assurance of freely available advice and ongoing technical support, as well as superb sailing and social programmes.”