Beneteau First 29 vs 1990 Feeling 32 — Comparison
Beneteau First 29
1990 Feeling 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 1990 Feeling 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Feeling |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1990–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Philippe Harlé |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 9.85 m (32.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.15 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.50 m (4.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 1990 Feeling 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1990 Feeling 32 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 1990 Feeling 32 was designed by Philippe Harlé.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 1990 Feeling 32 at 9.85m (32.3ft) with a 3.15m beam. The 1990 Feeling 32 is 0.95m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 1990 Feeling 32 displaces approximately 52% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The 1990 Feeling 32, with an SA/D of 14.49 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1990 Feeling 32 has a comfort ratio of 20.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 36.2% for the 1990 Feeling 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The 1990 Feeling 32 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Feeling 32 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Beneteau First 29 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.