Corrival was delivered to Guy Watson in February 1969. She was the first of a line of distinguished Carbineer 44’ and 46’ motor sailers built for equally distinguished owners; among them the aviators Neville Duke; British test pilot and fighter ace of the Second World War; the most successful Western Allied ace in the Mediterranean Theatre (Carbineer number 4 Mutineer), and Alan Bristow founder of Bristow Helicopters (Carbineer number 7 Twirlybird). Bristow is credited as the first to land a helicopter on the deck of a naval frigate, which he accomplished while vessel was rolling and pitching off of the coast of Portland, thereby transforming naval flying.

Designed under a blanket of total secrecy under the Pseudonym PROJECT 4, Corrival was the first of the Moody Carbineer 44 class. With wooden clad deck house, large saloon windows and aft cockpit, she was many steps ahead from Moody’s own Alan Hill designed Halberdier, Laurent Giles’ brief was to provide within her 44’ hull the accommodation and amenities of an equivalent 47 footer. The intention was that the below deck layout be varied to each owners individual taste as well as a standard layout for six – eight in four separate cabins, thought ideal for the cruising man who goes strong on distance cruising.

A motor sailer certainly, but with a healthy amount of sail and full auxiliary power from the punchy Perkins 6.354. She was designed in 1968 and all of the Moody built Carbineers were constructed to Lloyds +100 A1 when the designation signified the very best in design, materials and workmanship.

With the short fin and separate skeg-hung rudder the yacht proved to be extremely maneuverable under power, with an economical cruising speed and with plenty of reserve power. Stiff by any means and in a force 4 – 5 the signature Giles hull knuckle deflects all but passing spray.

Footnote: Mutineer was later renamed Tyrita when owned by Judge Francis Humphrey Shubrick Gilbert QC who was apparently the last Judge to sentence a person to execution in Britain.

On a happier note, if you have owned, or currently own a Moody Carbineer we would be pleased to hear from you.