1995 Feeling 39 vs 1983 Pearson 31 — Comparison
1995 Feeling 39
1983 Pearson 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Feeling 39 | 1983 Pearson 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Feeling | Pearson |
| Year | 1995–2003 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Harlé | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.80 m (38.7 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.78 m (12.4 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Feeling 39 and 1983 Pearson 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 Feeling 39 is a 1990s design by Feeling from France, while the 1983 Pearson 31 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1995 Feeling 39 was penned by Philippe Harlé. The 1983 Pearson 31 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1995 Feeling 39 measures 11.80m (38.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.78m, compared to the 1983 Pearson 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 1995 Feeling 39 is 2.35m longer than the 1983 Pearson 31. The 1995 Feeling 39 displaces approximately 81% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 Feeling 39 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.05 and 66.0 m² of sail area. The 1983 Pearson 31, with an SA/D of 15.35 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1995 Feeling 39 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 Feeling 39 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1983 Pearson 31 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1995 Feeling 39 and 42.1% for the 1983 Pearson 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 Feeling 39 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1983 Pearson 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Pearson 31 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 1995 Feeling 39 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.