2010 Oyster 475 vs 1998 Feeling 44 — Comparison
2010 Oyster 475
1998 Feeling 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2010 Oyster 475 | 1998 Feeling 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Oyster | Feeling |
| Year | 2010–2018 | 1998–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | United Kingdom | France |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.50 m (47.6 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2010 Oyster 475 and 1998 Feeling 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2010 Oyster 475 is a modern design by Oyster from United Kingdom, while the 1998 Feeling 44 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The 2010 Oyster 475 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 1998 Feeling 44 was designed by Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios.
In terms of size, the 2010 Oyster 475 measures 14.50m (47.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the 1998 Feeling 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 2010 Oyster 475 is 1.09m longer than the 1998 Feeling 44. The 2010 Oyster 475 displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2010 Oyster 475 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.02 and 95.0 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 1998 Feeling 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2010 Oyster 475 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1998 Feeling 44 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 37.8% for the 2010 Oyster 475 and 38.1% for the 1998 Feeling 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2010 Oyster 475 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L of water capacity and 280L of fuel. The 1998 Feeling 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2010 Oyster 475 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.