Design and Construction
Vaton's 286 carries an overall length of 29.29 ft, a waterline of 24.67 ft, and a beam of 10.04 ft, with an air draft of 40.35 ft at the masthead. The hull is solid polyester. A distinctive structural detail is that the keel bolts are laminated and installed from the keel side, not driven down from the bilge — a method that keeps the bilge interior clean and protects the fastenings from interior corrosion paths. The deep-draft ("Grand Tirant d'eau") version is the one praised for windward work, while the PTE variant carries winglets and can take the ground on its keel.
Rig and Handling
The boat is rigged as a standard masthead sloop, though owner accounts also describe a fractional setup that makes her easier to handle and cheaper to sail. On the water she is fast and lively under sail, passes very well when the sea is formed, and goes to windward sharply — most especially in the deep-draft hull. The PTE version with winglets demands earlier reefing than the standard fin. Weight placement is a deliberate part of the design: the engine sits under the saloon table rather than beneath the companionway, which centers and lowers the mass for a more balanced feel.
Accommodations
Kirie's choice to put the Yanmar 2GM20 under the saloon table instead of the usual companionway spot frees the volume beneath the cockpit. That space allowed a layout with a second aft cabin, or alternatively a larger head. The forward cabin holds a Breton berth, while some versions substitute a sail locker. The cockpit itself is vast and secure, with good visibility from the helm — a layout that serves both short-handed maneuvering and anchored comfort. A later "S" version added a rear swimming platform.
Known Issues
The one documented service-age weakness is cosmetic rather than structural: interior finishings such as carpets and linings will likely need to be redone over a boat's life. The keel-bolt method leaves the bilge clean and free of through-fastenings.
The Verdict
The Feeling 286 is a Vaton design that punches above its eight meters: a lively, well-mannered coastal cruiser with a smart interior made possible by an off-center engine. The deep-draft version is the one to want for windward work, and the PTE adds grounding ability at the cost of earlier reefing.
Pros
- Balanced, lower-centered hull from under-table engine placement
- Roomy cockpit with good visibility and secure coaming
- Optional two-aft-cabin layout from freed cockpit-space volume
- Keel bolts laminated from the keel side, away from bilge corrosion
Cons
- Interior carpets and linings typically need renewal
- PTE winglet version requires earlier reefing
