Beneteau First 29 vs 1995 Feeling 39 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 1995 Feeling 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Feeling |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1995–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Philippe Harlé |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 11.80 m (38.7 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.78 m (12.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 1995 Feeling 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1995 Feeling 39 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 1995 Feeling 39 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 1995 Feeling 39 at 11.80m (38.7ft) with a 3.78m beam. The 1995 Feeling 39 is 2.90m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 1995 Feeling 39 displaces approximately 152% 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 1995 Feeling 39, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 1995 Feeling 39 has a comfort ratio of 18.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 38.5% for the 1995 Feeling 39, 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 1995 Feeling 39 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1995 Feeling 39 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 1995 Feeling 39 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 29 · 1995 Feeling 39