1998 Feeling 44 vs 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 — Comparison
1998 Feeling 44
2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Feeling 44 | 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Feeling | Beneteau |
| Year | 1998–2005 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 10.44 m (34.3 ft) |
| LWL | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) | 5,550 kg (12,236 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Feeling 44 and 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Feeling 44 is a 1990s design by Feeling from France, while the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1998 Feeling 44 was penned by Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 1998 Feeling 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.10m, compared to the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 at 10.44m (34.3ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 1998 Feeling 44 is 2.97m longer than the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34. The 1998 Feeling 44 displaces approximately 89% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Feeling 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 82.0 m² of sail area. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, with an SA/D of 16.53 and 51.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1998 Feeling 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Feeling 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the 1998 Feeling 44 and 28.8% for the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Feeling 44 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 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 1998 Feeling 44 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1998 Feeling 44 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.