Hunter 356 vs 1998 Feeling 44 — Comparison
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 356 | 1998 Feeling 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Feeling |
| Year | 2000–2005 | 1998–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 356 and 1998 Feeling 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 356 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1998 Feeling 44 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The Hunter 356 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1998 Feeling 44 was designed by Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios.
In terms of size, the Hunter 356 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.53m, compared to the 1998 Feeling 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 1998 Feeling 44 is 2.59m longer than the Hunter 356. The 1998 Feeling 44 displaces approximately 93% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 356 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of sail area. The 1998 Feeling 44, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 356 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 356 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1998 Feeling 44 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the Hunter 356 and 38.1% for the 1998 Feeling 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 356 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1998 Feeling 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1998 Feeling 44 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 Hunter 356 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.
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Or view individual specs: Hunter 356 · 1998 Feeling 44