Hull Form and Design Intent
The beam-aft philosophy is not accidental. French designers pioneered the ultra-wide hull that pushes accommodations rearward, trading some performance for interior space. The Feeling 326 takes that approach close to its logical limit — the plan view shows beam pulled aft almost to an extreme, which pays dividends below but carries consequences on the water. With a displacement-to-length ratio in the low 200s depending on keel selection, the boat sits in credible cruiser-racer territory rather than the sluggish end of the cruising spectrum.
Three keel configurations were offered: a deep fixed fin at five feet three inches, a shoal fixed keel at four feet three inches, and a centerboard version that retracts to just over two feet. The lifting-keel variant comes fitted with small "legs" to allow the boat to dry out upright on tidal flats — a practical acknowledgment of its intended European coastal market. The fixed fin, as drawn, is a substantial foil, so large in fact that Perry questioned the accuracy of the drawing. Whatever its precise geometry, the intent is clear: maximum righting moment from a relatively lightweight displacement hull.
Stability and Keel Tradeoffs
The ballast-to-displacement ratio sits at roughly 34 percent across all three variants, which is reasonable for a boat of this type. The lifting-keel model with keel fully retracted presents the central compromise that comes with any centerboard cruiser: the lifting-keel boat, keel up, will not be as stiff as the deep fin. That is common sense physics, not a defect. Sailors who buy the lifting-keel model are accepting a performance penalty in keel-up conditions in exchange for the ability to explore thin water and dry out in tidal anchorages. The shoal and deep fixed-keel models sidestep this tradeoff entirely.
The capsize screening ratio of 2.21 is worth noting. It sits above the commonly cited offshore threshold, which positions the Feeling 326 as a coastal and sheltered-water boat rather than a bluewater passage-maker — entirely consistent with what Harl and Mortain designed it to be.
Rig and Sail Handling
The 326 carries a double-spreader rig with fore and aft lower shrouds, and the mast is stepped on deck. Bob Perry, reviewing the design, found this arrangement bullet proof in terms of structural integrity. The sail area-to-displacement ratio of around 22.7 to 1 is healthy — enough to move the boat assertively in modest breeze without requiring a crew of athletes to manage the canvas. The traveler is positioned on the bridgedeck, exactly where it should be for effective mainsail trim.
One reservation from the original design review: the rudder on the lifting-keel model is notably stubby, a proportional consequence of the shallow underbody configuration. Sailors who have spent time on deep-fin boats will notice the difference in helm feedback, particularly when pressed hard.
Accommodations
Below decks the 326 delivers what its wide hull promises. The seating area in the main cabin is immense, and the layout achieves genuine separation between the two sleeping areas — forward and aft — which matters for couples or small families sharing a boat for extended periods. The galley takes an unusual approach: rather than a conventional athwartships or L-shaped counter, it employs a clever centerline island for the sinks. Counter space for preparation is limited, but the arrangement frees up settee volume so that meals can be enjoyed with room to spare.
The fresh-water tankage of 37 gallons and fuel of 26 gallons are modest by blue-water standards but adequate for coastal work. The Yanmar 2GM or Volvo 2030 auxiliary at 18 horsepower is appropriately sized to push just over 8,000 pounds.
Known Concerns
The most substantive structural concern is shared by all lifting-keel designs: the keel mechanism itself is a maintenance item that fixed-keel owners never face. Seals, cables or hydraulics, and the trunk itself all require periodic inspection. The stubby rudder on the centerboard variant is not merely an aesthetic issue — it reduces the lever arm available for steering and can make the boat feel vague when pressed into strong conditions.
The cabintrunk's prominent black window, while architecturally intentional, is an early installation that deserves scrutiny on older examples: inspect for crazing, delamination at the edges, or water ingress into the surrounding fiberglass.
The Verdict
The Feeling 326 is a thoughtfully engineered coastal cruiser with an honest set of priorities: maximize interior volume, offer versatile draft options, and provide enough sail area to make weekend passages genuinely enjoyable. Harl and Mortain achieved those goals, and the double-spreader rig gives the boat a structural solidity that outlasts the typical production cruiser of its era. Where it asks for patience is in the lifting-keel variant's reduced initial stability and the abbreviated rudder. Buyers who need thin-water access will accept that trade; those who sail mostly open coastal waters would do better with the deep fixed-keel model.
Pros
- Three keel options address a wide range of draft requirements
- Generous, genuinely separated two-cabin interior for a 32-footer
- Healthy sail area-to-displacement ratio supports lively sailing in moderate breeze
- Deck-stepped double-spreader rig is structurally robust
- Lifting-keel variant can dry out on tidal flats with provided legs
Cons
- Beam-aft hull form sacrifices some upwind performance for interior volume
- Lifting-keel model loses stiffness with keel retracted
- Stubby rudder on the centerboard variant reduces helm feel
- Capsize screening ratio limits suitability for offshore passages
- Galley counter space is tight despite the wide beam
