Design and Construction
Kirie built the 446 as a solid fibreglass hull with a lead ballast of 2,722 kg, set on either a deep fin keel drawing 2.0 m or a shoal keel drawing 1.6 m, both carrying a spade rudder anchor. The wide 4.5 m beam is not merely an accommodation gain — it gives the hull stability at anchor and a steady platform, while the low centre of gravity keeps her upright and quick to respond. Harlé and Mortain & Mavrikios shaped a hull that the builder intended as a fast and comfortable cruiser able to handle varied sea states, and the balanced helm with responsive steering makes her easy to manoeuvre and tack in confined water.
Rig and Handling
The 446 wears a masthead sloop rig with a fractional spinnaker pole, and the mast is deck-stepped on a compression post. Her 66.2 m² of canvas splits between a main that uses slab reefing and lazy jacks, paired with a roller-furling genoa, and buyers could specify a self-tacking jib or a gennaker for downwind work. That large sail area lets her sail well in light winds, though the rig encourages early reefing in stronger air to keep heeling in check. The helm balance and steering response mean she tacks without drama and backs down or turns in a marina with predictable authority.
Accommodations
Two interior plans were produced: a three-cabin Owners' version and a four-cabin charter version, the latter trading a smaller galley for more berths anchor. Both share a spacious, bright interior lit by large windows and skylights, and both carry two heads, one ensuite to the aft cabin. The general arrangement places a large aft cabin with its own head, a forward V-berth cabin with access to the second head, and one or two smaller amidships cabins depending on the plan. The saloon holds a U-shaped settee around a table that converts to a double, with a navigation station alongside, and the L-shaped galley comes with stove, oven, fridge, freezer, sink and storage. The Owners' version enlarges that galley and adds stowage, while the charter layout favours guest count.
The Verdict
The Feeling 446 is a thoughtfully planned cruiser that turns Harlé and Mortain & Mavrikios's volume-oriented hull into a genuinely livable 45-footer. The two keel choices let a buyer match draft to cruising ground, and the rig balances light-air performance against sensible reefing discipline. Interior light and the split of Owners' versus charter plans mean the boat serves private and fleet use without compromise to the core accommodation.
Pros
- Wide beam and low centre of gravity deliver stability and living space
- Two keel drafts broaden cruising range
- Bright, roomy interior with convertible saloon berth
- Deck-stepped mast with compression post simplifies rig structure
Cons
- Charter version sacrifices galley size for berths
- Early reefing needed in strong wind despite large sail area
