Feeling 356 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Feeling 356 means choosing among the three keel versions Kirie built from 1997 under J&J Design. The deep lead keel draws over six feet; the iron shallow keel about four and a half; and the iron drop keel retracts to under two and a half feet loaded. That single choice will govern where you can berth and ground, so it belongs at the top of any shortlist before cosmetic condition is weighed.
Layouts on the Used Market
The 356 was offered with a deep lead keel, a shallow iron keel, and a drop iron keel, and the draft spans 2.46 to 6.37 feet depending on the variant and load. The deep version suits open-water sailors who prioritize ballast low and a steady helm; the shoal and drop versions trade that for marina access and drying-outs. The solid fiberglass hull and deck are common to all, as is the 10,362-pound displacement on a 29.2-foot waterline.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Rigging specs show half-inch sheets for jib, genoa, mainsheet, and spinnaker, describing a cockpit set up for full sail control, and any buyer should confirm those led rather than upgraded runs are intact. Beyond that, inspect whatever canvas, winches, and navigation kit each boat carries on its own merits.
What to Inspect
Verify the iron drop and shallow keels for corrosion, since those iron drop and shallow keels are the non-lead variants and carry the typical risks of ferrous appendages in seawater. Confirm the declared draft matches the keel type and that the drop mechanism operates smoothly if the boat is the retracting version. The fiberglass hull and deck should be surveyed as any solid-glass 1990s hull would be.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Availability must be judged from the brokerage market in your area. For the buyer, the checklist is brief: choose keel type by cruising ground, survey iron keels for corrosion, confirm rigging dimensions and function, and validate draft against the specific variant. The 356 is a coherent platform whose keel flexibility is its chief used-market strength.
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
9 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlow-Hunter 356 | 35.5' | $ 69,900 | 83 | 17 |
| Dufour 360 Grand Large | 35.2' | $ 154,298 | 68 | 27 |
| Hunter Marine 336 | 33.5' | $ 37,900 | 64 | 5 |
| Hunter 386 | 38.25' | $ 85,200 | 38 | 1 |
| Beneteau First 35 S5 | 35.42' | $ 37,284 | 30 | 6 |
| Moody 336 | 33.42' | $ 54,038 | 27 | 6 |
| Beneteau First 36 | 39.33' | $ 384,461 | 26 | 2 |
| Beneteau First 35.7 | 34.58' | $ 58,137 | 10 | 2 |
| Kirie 346 | 34.08' | $ 46,524 | 10 | 3 |