Feeling 39 Buyer's Guide
Philippe Briand’s brief for the Feeling 39 was an unusual one: pack catamaran-scale volume into a 38-foot monohull without sacrificing the sailing manners of a performance cruiser. The yard called the concept “monomaran,” and it still makes sense the moment you step aboard a used example. The boat sits low on the water and hides an iron lifting keel that draws just 70 centimeters with the board up low draft (70 centimeters with keel raised), while the 2-metre maximum draft gives respectable bite when the breeze pipes up. For the brokerage shopper, the Feeling 39 is a spacious, quick cruiser that has held a steady niche in European waters, and the used fleet reflects a long history of owner and charter use that every buyer should understand before committing.
Layouts on the Used Market
Both two- and three-cabin layouts appear on the brokerage market, but the three-cabin arrangement is the more common find. Ex-charter examples are common, so a buyer should expect a degree of wear-and-tear in the interior joinery and upholstery.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Walk the docks and you will notice that most Feeling 39s on the used market are well-equipped cruising platforms. Autopilot, chartplotter, and radar are commonly fitted, along with AIS, solar power, and a life raft. A bow thruster is another regular sight. Dinghy davits and a bimini are almost standard, and many boats carry a gennaker for light-air reaching. Teak decks were commonly specified from new and remain a common sight on brokerage boats.
Owners have not stood still. You will sometimes see a wind generator on the arch. Heating, an inverter, and a cockpit shower fall into the owner-upgrade category—present on some boats but far from universal. The same goes for lithium batteries, electric winches, a furling mainsail, and a dedicated short-handed sailing setup. If your cruising plans include northern latitudes or extended off-grid time, target a boat where the previous owner has already ticked those boxes.
What to Inspect
The iron lifting keel is the single most important system to scrutinise. Confirm that the lifting mechanism operates smoothly through its full range of travel, and check for corrosion or wear where it is most exposed. The hull is solid fiberglass, so osmosis is rarely a structural concern, but a moisture meter around the keel-stub area is still a wise precaution.
The Feeling 39 was designed by a naval architect known for fast sailing vessels designed by Philippe Briand, a renowned expert on high-speed sailing vessels, and the rig reflects that pedigree. She is rigged as a masthead sloop. Inspect the mast step for any sign of movement or water ingress. Standing rigging on boats that have spent time in charter service should be checked carefully; look for dated rigging receipts rather than relying on a visual once-over.
Below decks, the high-volume interior means long runs of headliner and cabinetry that can develop squeaks and separation. Check the main bulkhead tabbing, particularly around the chainplate attachments, and pay attention to the saloon sole for soft spots near the companionway. The engine is a 40-horsepower diesel engine has a power of 40 HP. Service records for the heat exchanger and exhaust elbow are worth their weight in surveyor’s fees.
Availability and Buyer’s Takeaway
The Feeling 39 is a distinctly European offering, and the used market reflects that. France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Turkey are the countries where brokerage stock is concentrated, with occasional listings appearing in Canada. The Mediterranean cockpit, lifting keel, and generous accommodation make it a natural fit for those cruising grounds, and most boats have spent their lives there.
Buyer’s checklist:
- Determine which layout suits your crew, since both two- and three-cabin versions are available.
- Establish whether the boat is ex-charter and price your offer accordingly.
- Insist on a dedicated survey of the lifting-keel mechanism and iron keel condition.
- Verify rig age and mast-step integrity with documentation.
- Favour boats where desirable upgrades—heating, lithium, inverter, wind generator—are already installed.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Feeling 39. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 7 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25 | 1 | $190,888 | — |
| Aug 25 | 1 | $214,026 | +12.1% |
| Dec 25 | 3 | $144,612 | -32.4% |
| Jan 26 | 5 | $145,089 | +0.3% |
| May 26 | 2 | $137,382 | -5.3% |
| Jun 26 | 2 | $80,405 | -41.5% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $91,395 | +13.7% |
Where they're listed
Feeling 39 listings appear across 6 countries. France has the most listings with 6 (46.2%), followed by Canada and Spain.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanneau Sun Sun Odyssey 439 | 43.77' | $ 179,319 | 59 | 18 |
| Leopard Catamarans 39 | 37.5' | $ 289,000 | 51 | 14 |
| Hunter Marine 39 | 39.42' | $ 129,000 | 22 | 4 |
| Feeling 39You are here | — | $ 135,470 | 13 | 5 |
| Dufour F39 | 39.3' | $ 68,257 | 13 | 3 |
| Kirie 44 | 45.11' | $ 202,457 | 11 | 0 |
| Baltic 39 | 38.76' | $ 75,199 | 9 | 0 |