Vaton, who trained at the Mauric firm, designed a fin-keel hull in hand-laid polyester. The result is a well-built, seaworthy small cruiser with lively performance and an unusual engine location that shapes the entire interior: the engine sits under the saloon table rather than beneath the companionway.
Design and Construction
The Feeling 286 measures 29.29 ft overall, with a waterline length of 24.67 ft and a beam of 10.04 ft. Air draft at the masthead is 40.35 ft. The hull is solid polyester.
One distinctive structural detail is that the keel bolts are laminated and installed from the keel side, rather than driven down from the bilge. This keeps the bilge interior clean and protects the fastenings from interior corrosion paths. The bilge is also free of through-fastenings.
The deep-draft, or “Grand Tirant d’eau,” version is the model praised for windward work. The PTE variant has winglets and can take the ground on its keel. A later “S” version added a rear swimming platform.
Rig and Handling
The boat is rigged as a standard masthead sloop, although owner accounts also describe a fractional setup that makes her easier to handle and cheaper to sail.
Underway, the Feeling 286 is fast and lively under sail. She passes very well when the sea is formed and points sharply to windward, especially in the deep-draft version. The PTE model’s winglets add grounding ability, but this version needs to be reefed earlier than the standard fin-keel boat.
Weight placement is a deliberate part of the design. Instead of sitting beneath the companionway, the engine is installed under the saloon table. This centers and lowers the mass, contributing to a more balanced feel.
Cockpit and Accommodations
Placing the Yanmar 2GM20 under the saloon table also frees the volume beneath the cockpit. Kirie used that space to offer a layout with a second aft cabin or, alternatively, a larger head.
The forward cabin has a Breton berth, while some versions replace it with a sail locker. The cockpit is vast and secure, with good visibility from the helm. Its layout suits both short-handed maneuvering and comfort at anchor.
Known Issues
The only documented service-age weakness is cosmetic rather than structural. Interior finishes, including carpets and linings, will likely need to be renewed during the boat’s life.
Verdict
The Feeling 286 punches above its eight-meter length. It’s a lively, well-mannered coastal cruiser with a smart interior made possible by its unusual under-table engine installation. The deep-draft model is the version to choose for windward work, while the PTE adds the ability to take the ground at the cost of earlier reefing.
Pros
- Balanced feel from the low, central engine placement
- Roomy, secure cockpit with good visibility
- Optional second aft cabin made possible by the freed space beneath the cockpit
- Keel bolts laminated from the keel side and kept away from bilge corrosion
Cons
- Interior carpets and linings typically need renewal
- PTE winglet version requires earlier reefing
