Feeling 55 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The defining technical characteristic of the Feeling 55 is its lifting keel, a signature of the Feeling brand that allows this 55-foot blue-water cruiser to reduce its draft from a deep-reaching 4.2 meters (nearly 13.8 feet) to just 1.3 meters (4.3 feet). This versatility is rare in vessels of this displacement, which sits at approximately 44,092 lbs. According to a technical "Quick Look" by Cruising World, the boat utilizes a twin-rudder configuration to maintain steerage and tracking even when the keel is retracted for shallow-water exploring.

Handling is further simplified by a standard self-tacking jib and a furling boom, which allows a couple to manage the substantial sail plan without a large crew. Uniquely for a monohull, the Feeling 55 is equipped with twin 55-hp or 75-hp engines powering sail drives, a redundancy feature more common in multihulls that provides exceptional maneuverability in tight marinas and serves as a backup during long ocean passages.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior architecture of the Feeling 55 challenges conventional layouts with its "loft" concept. The central feature is a raised saloon that offers 360-degree visibility through expansive wrap-around windows, a design element detailed in Naucat Magazine. This layout eliminates the "basement" feel typical of older monohulls, allowing the watch-keeper to monitor the surroundings from the comfort of the nav station.

The boat was typically offered in three-cabin configurations, often featuring a massive master suite located amidships or aft. In some variants, the owner's cabin includes private access to the aft swimming platform. The connection between the interior and the cockpit is nearly flush, emphasizing a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. A notable luxury feature for a monohull of this size is the integrated tender garage, capable of housing a fully inflated dinghy behind a hydraulic transom door.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Feeling 55 garnered significant attention upon its debut at the 2007 Paris Boat Show, where it was hailed for its technological innovation. It was later featured in an extensive virtual tour and review by Yachting Monthly in October 2008, which highlighted the "monomaran" layout. Its rarity has since given it a cult status among cruising enthusiasts who follow "unusual" yacht designs on digital platforms, where surviving hulls are often showcased as examples of high-concept blue-water engineering.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a Feeling 55 must focus their survey on the complex systems that make the boat unique.

• Lifting Keel Mechanism: The hydraulic rams and pivot pins are under immense stress given the weight of the ballast. Any hesitation in the keel's movement or signs of "weeping" from the hydraulic lines requires immediate attention.
• Twin Engine Maintenance: While providing redundancy, two engines double the maintenance schedule and require synchronized alignment for optimal performance.
• Glazing Integrity: The large saloon windows provide the boat's signature views but are prone to leaks if the original sealant has degraded or if the hull has experienced significant flexing.
• Keel and Rudder Bushings: Due to the shallow-draft capability, these boats often visit areas where grounding is more likely. Wear on the bushings can lead to vibration or "clunking" while under sail.
• Hull-to-Bulkhead Bonding: Historical reports from owners of the larger Feeling models of the Alliaura era suggest inspecting the secondary bonding where bulkheads meet the hull, as some older models showed signs of movement under heavy offshore loads.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for technical data and owner support is the Association Feeling, a French-based organization dedicated to the maintenance and preservation of all Feeling models. While the shipyard is no longer in its original form, the association remains a vital source for sourcing technical drawings or advice on the lifting keel systems used across the range.

The Verdict

The Feeling 55 is a bold architectural statement that offers a level of shallow-water access and living comfort that few monohulls can match.

Pros:

• Exceptional Draft Versatility: Access to anchorages typically reserved for catamarans or small day sailers.
• Visibility: True 360-degree views from the saloon and nav station.
• Engine Redundancy: Twin engines provide unparalleled peace of mind and docking precision.

Cons:

• Extreme Rarity: With only a handful built, finding a listing is difficult and parts may require custom fabrication.
• System Complexity: The combination of hydraulic keels and twin engines demands a higher maintenance budget.
• Atypical Cockpit: The forward-located helms are well-protected but can feel disconnected for sailors who prefer traditional aft-steering feedback.