With a beam of nearly 4.5 m and a masthead rig carrying just over 66 m² of sail, the 446 is a roomy, manageable, offshore-capable boat for owners who want generous living space without giving up straightforward handling.
Design and Construction
Kirie built the 446 with a solid fibreglass hull and 2,722 kg of lead ballast. Buyers could choose either a deep fin keel drawing 2.0 m or a shoal keel drawing 1.6 m; both versions have a spade rudder.
The broad 4.5 m beam does more than increase accommodation space. It also contributes to stability at anchor and provides a steady platform, while the low centre of gravity helps the boat remain upright and respond quickly. Harlé and Mortain & Mavrikios shaped the hull as a fast, comfortable cruiser intended to handle varied sea states.
Rig and Handling
The 446 has a masthead sloop rig with a fractional spinnaker pole. Its mast is deck-stepped on a compression post. The 66.2 m² sail plan comprises a roller-furling genoa and a mainsail with slab reefing and lazy jacks. Buyers could also specify a self-tacking jib or a gennaker for downwind sailing.
The generous sail area helps the boat perform well in light winds, although early reefing is called for in stronger air to control heel. A balanced helm and responsive steering make tacking straightforward. The boat also backs down and turns in a marina with predictable authority, making it easy to manoeuvre in confined water.
Accommodations
Kirie offered two interior plans: a three-cabin Owners' version and a four-cabin charter version. The charter layout trades a smaller galley for additional berths.
Both layouts have a spacious, bright interior, with large windows and skylights admitting plenty of light. Each includes two heads, one of them ensuite to the large aft cabin. Forward, there is a V-berth cabin with access to the second head. Depending on the layout, one or two smaller cabins sit amidships.
In the saloon, a U-shaped settee surrounds a table that converts to form a double berth, with the navigation station alongside. The L-shaped galley includes a stove, oven, fridge, freezer, sink, storage and, in the Owners' version, additional space and stowage. The charter arrangement instead prioritizes guest capacity.
Verdict
The Feeling 446 is a thoughtfully planned cruiser that uses Harlé and Mortain & Mavrikios's volume-oriented hull to create a genuinely livable 45-footer. Its two keel options allow buyers to match the boat's draft to their cruising ground, while the rig combines good light-air performance with the need for sensible reefing in stronger winds.
The bright interior and choice between Owners' and charter layouts mean the boat serves private and fleet use without compromise to the core accommodation.
Pros
- Wide beam and low centre of gravity provide stability and living space
- Two keel drafts broaden the choice of cruising grounds
- Bright, roomy interior with a convertible saloon berth
- Deck-stepped mast and compression post simplify the rig structure
Cons
- Charter version sacrifices galley space for additional berths
- Large sail area calls for early reefing in strong winds
