Design and Construction
Kirié built the Feeling 36 the old-fashioned way, without structural counter-molds. Instead, resin-bonded stringers and spars reinforce the bottom. The hull is a single-skin laminate, approaching 30 mm thick at the bottom, while the deck uses balsa-sandwich construction.
The hull and deck bulkheads are resin-coated, and the hull and deck are bonded together both at the outer joint and by bulkheads resined to both surfaces around the perimeter. Interior joinery makes extensive use of glued laminated timber, and the cast-iron bulb is protected by an epoxy coating cycle rather than left bare. Self-aligning bushings help keep the rudder blade moving smoothly.
The hull was designed with the movable-drive configuration in mind. Its width at the waterline provides high form stability, while very full bow sections and a set-back ballast position contribute volume and poise. On the fixed-keel version, that form stability allows the ballast to account for a modest 31 percent of displacement. The fixed fin draws 2 meters, while the daggerboard version reduces draft to just over 70 cm. The fixed-keel model is 400 kg lighter than the board version.
Classic Boat Archive noted that the design suffers from a large wetted area and a low sail-area-to-displacement ratio. Even so, the waterline of nearly 10 meters gives a critical speed of more than 7.5 knots.
Rig and Handling
The Feeling 36 carries a fractional sloop rig, with 9/10 double-row quartered spreaders and a deck-stepped Sparcraft mast supported by continuous spiral cable rigging. Sail area is 37.2 sq. m. for the 135 percent genoa and 31.2 sq. m. for the mainsail. Two closed-circuit reefing lines allow the full shortening process to be handled from the cockpit. A prepared bow fitting accepts an optional aluminum gennaker sprit.
The two genoa winches sit inboard rather than on top of the coachroof coaming, noticeably shortening the cockpit settee tops. The mainsail traveller is positioned ahead of the compass binnacle, but its adjustment cleats are awkward to reach. The small steering wheel also prevents the helmsman from leaning against the rear coaming while steering.
Test sailors found the boat sluggish off the line in light air, though she could claw her way to a respectable windward angle once moving. Above 12 knots, she becomes more agile, and the rudder remains remarkably light even when the boat is well heeled. In a seaway, she slaps around somewhat but stays dry because of her full volumes and strong buoyancy. Easing the windward course by a few degrees softens the motion and adds more than half a knot.
The standard Volvo 29-hp engine, driving a two-blade fixed propeller through a shaft, proved adequate. It provided good maneuverability in reverse, and the engine has all-around access, although noise levels under power are slightly high.
Deck and Accommodations
The two-tier deckhouse gives the Feeling 36 a distinctive profile. Forward of it are two broad sunbathing areas, divided by a pair of central hatches.
Below, the markedly set-back companionway stair allows the saloon to extend for 3.65 meters. Headroom at the foot of the companionway is close to 2 meters, while berth dimensions and interior heights are above the norm for a boat of this size. The aft berths measure 120 cm across at the foot. Buyers could specify either two or three cabins, plus a head.
Stowage is generous. Twin lockers beneath the cockpit benches have wide openings for bulky gear, double lockers serve the aft cabins, and both saloon settees have clear storage space underneath. On the fixed-bulb version, the centerboard case becomes a storage box. Its structure also serves as a handrail and supports two asymmetrical table leaves.
The boat carries two water tanks, one forward and the other aft. The forward tank drew attention because its position makes it sensitive to pitching.
Equipment and Known Issues
Ventilation is one of the Feeling 36’s more significant weaknesses. The two central deckhouse hatches are too close together, so the open forward sash steals air from the rear one at the wheel. Ventilation is poor in both the saloon and aft cabins, and each aft cabin has only one porthole as standard.
The electrical panel is sparse and lacks an ammeter. The standard 2 x 65 Ah batteries are housed in a gas-extracting watertight case, but their capacity is undersized. The bilge sump is also small.
Standard equipment was meager. The fridge, electric windlass, boiler, and battery charger were all optional. The standard short-batten mainsail and furling genoa were also of mediocre quality.
The Verdict
The Feeling 36 is a structurally serious cruiser with clever use of interior volume and a genuinely versatile choice of draft. Her thin standard specification and several ergonomic shortcomings count against her, however. She best suits an owner prepared to upgrade the systems and accept the limits of her ventilation.
Pros
- Single-skin hull approaching 30 mm at the bottom, with resin-bonded bulkheads tying hull and deck together
- Choice of daggerboard or fixed bulb keel, backed by strong form stability
- Above-average berth sizes, headroom, and stowage for the boat’s length
- Agile and dry in a breeze once she gathers speed
Cons
- Poor ventilation in the saloon and aft cabins, with only one porthole standard in each aft cabin
- Undersized batteries, no ammeter, and meager standard equipment
- Awkward mainsail-traveller cleats and a small wheel that limits steering posture
- Large wetted area and a low sail-area-to-displacement ratio
