Beneteau First 29 vs 1993 Feeling 36 — Comparison
Beneteau First 29
1993 Feeling 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 1993 Feeling 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Feeling |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Philippe Harlé |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 1993 Feeling 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1993 Feeling 36 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 1993 Feeling 36 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 1993 Feeling 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.52m beam. The 1993 Feeling 36 is 2.07m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 1993 Feeling 36 displaces approximately 100% 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 1993 Feeling 36, with an SA/D of 15.96 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1993 Feeling 36 has a comfort ratio of 18.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 37.1% for the 1993 Feeling 36, 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 1993 Feeling 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1993 Feeling 36 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: The 1993 Feeling 36 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.