Feeling 286 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used market for a Feeling 286 means looking at an eight-meter Gilles Vaton design built by the Kirié shipyard beginning in 1986, with more than 250 sold during a near-decade catalog run. The boat's unconventional engine placement and flexible aft layout make it a distinctive small cruiser, but buyers should weigh the documented aging points against the otherwise seaworthy construction.
Layouts on the Used Market
The 286 came in a standard arrangement and an S version with a rear platform, and a two-aft-cabin version was offered alongside a forward cabin that holds either a Breton bed or, on some boats, a sail locker. Because the Yanmar 2GM20 generally sits under the saloon table rather than under the companionway, the space beneath the cockpit was freed for that second aft cabin or a larger bathroom, so used Feeling 286s will vary between berth-count and head-size priorities. The PTE version, with winglets and grounding-on-keel capability, is another layout distinction to confirm when inspecting.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On used Feeling 286s, autopilots, chartplotters, heating, biminis, and AIS are commonly fitted. Solar panels, swim platforms, dinghy davits, cockpit showers, and EPIRBs appear less uniformly—as occasional owner upgrades rather than standard equipment—so their presence should be treated as a bonus rather than expected. The rear platform on the S version is a factory layout feature, not an aftermarket add-on, and should be assessed as part of the hull rather than listed gear.
What to Inspect
The interior finishings such as carpets and linings will likely need to be redone, so budget for refreshment of those surfaces. Keel bolts are laminated and installed from the keel side rather than the bilge, a detail worth verifying for integrity during survey. The PTE version requires earlier reefing under its winglet-equipped keel, and the engine placement under the saloon table should be checked for access and mount condition given its non-standard location.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets for the Feeling 286 include Spain, Ireland, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Austria, and Portugal. For a buyer, the checklist is short and sourced from the boat's known points: confirm whether the hull is standard, S, or PTE; inspect keel-bolt lamination from the keel side; plan to renew interior carpets or linings; and verify the under-salon-table engine installation. A well-kept example offers a balanced, seaworthy small cruiser with rare interior flexibility for its size.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Feeling 286. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 3 | $ 20,015 | — |
| Oct 25 | 2 | $ 36,153 | +80.6% |
| Nov 25 | 2 | $ 20,586 | -43.1% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $ 28,518 | +38.5% |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $ 15,440 | -45.9% |
| Apr 26 | 2 | $ 24,589 | +59.3% |
Where they're listed
Feeling 286 listings appear across 6 countries. United Kingdom has the most listings with 3 (27.3%), followed by Ireland and Spain.
Country view
11 listings · 6 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $ 26,860 | 3 | 0 | 27.3% |
| Ireland | $ 20,586 | 3 | 0 | 27.3% |
| Spain | $ 28,555 | 2 | 0 | 18.2% |
| Austria | $ 44,032 | 1 | 0 | 9.1% |
| Netherlands | $ 15,440 | 1 | 0 | 9.1% |
| Portugal | $ 20,015 | 1 | 0 | 9.1% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
7 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneteau First 285 | 28.16' | $ 17,521 | 45 | 19 |
| Hunter 28.5 | 28.42' | $ 12,500 | 25 | 5 |
| Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 28.1 | 27.89' | $ 25,752 | 25 | 7 |
| Jeremy Rogers 28 | 27.67' | $ 10,105 | 24 | 7 |
| Marlow-Hunter 28 | 28.01' | $ 17,737 | 15 | 7 |
| Jeanneau Sun Sun Dream 28 | 29.5' | $ 20,695 | 12 | 6 |
| Feeling 286You are here | — | $ 20,601 | 11 | 0 |