Her appearance is distinctive. The substantial freeboard, maximum beam carried well aft, and length-to-beam ratio of 3.11 give her a pronounced wedge-shaped plan form. An indentation in the topsides, unusual hull windows, and a plumb stem complete the look, while a very short bowsprit carries the anchor clear.
Design and Construction
The Feeling 48 displaces 30,864 pounds. Her solid fiberglass hull and iron ballast set her apart from the balsa-cored, Kirie-era Feeling boats of the 1980s.
A very distinct chine runs through the aft sections of the hull. The designer intended it to increase interior volume in the aft cabins, working with the beam carried far aft to create considerably more room in the stern. The boat has stubby twin rudders.
The centerboard gives the boat access to shoal cruising grounds with the board raised, while allowing a draft of 10 feet 1 inch when it’s lowered.
Rig and Handling
The Feeling 48 has a typical swept, double-spreader fractional rig with outboard chainplates. A self-tacking jib track runs across the front face of the raised house, although the track itself is on the short side.
The mainsheet is mounted on the bimini structure over the cockpit. Primary and halyard winches are positioned beside the steering stations, an arrangement intended to help with short-handed control. Based on brochure figures, the sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 19.23, placing the boat in the moderately powered cruising range.
At the bow, the very short bowsprit holds the anchor away from the plumb stem without extending the waterline.
Cockpit and Deck Layout
The large cockpit has twin wheels forward and settees aft. It opens onto a broad, deep swim platform.
Eight hatches are fitted in the deck. The self-tacking jib track on the front of the house, short bowsprit, and winches beside the helms help keep the working deck compact and navigable.
Accommodations
Buyers could choose among three accommodation plans. In the two-stateroom version, double berths occupy the forward and aft cabins. Both the forward and aft heads have circular shower stalls.
The forward area can instead be divided into two compact staterooms, with stacked berths in the port cabin. A four-stateroom arrangement divides the aft section while retaining the two-stateroom forward plan.
The immense beam at the stern makes the aft staterooms genuinely usable. One quirk is that the forward stateroom has no hanging lockers.
In the saloon, a spacious navigation area lies to starboard. A large galley to port includes ample locker space and a front-opening refrigerator at its aft end.
Verdict
The Feeling 48 is a purpose-driven cruising boat. Her centerboard, beamy wedge-shaped hull, and choice of three accommodation plans make her a versatile candidate for coastal and offshore sailing. The chined stern and beam carried well aft trade some classic elegance for useful cabin volume, while the shallow board-up draft broadens her potential cruising grounds.
Pros
- Centerboard provides a 4-foot-2-inch board-up draft and a 10-foot-1-inch board-down draft
- Three accommodation plans, including a four-stateroom option
- Aft cabins benefit from the immense beam carried well aft
- Twin wheels, nearby winches, and a self-tacking jib aid short-handed sailing
Cons
- Forward stateroom lacks hanging lockers
- Self-tacking jib track is on the short side
- Distinctive styling, high freeboard, and unusual windows won’t suit every taste
