The Kirie Elite 30 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1983 vs Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Kirie Elite 30 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1983 at 27,1 ft versus Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 at 29,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Kirie Elite 30 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1983 tips the scales at 6 173 lbs — 661 lbs more than the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 at 5 512 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 tops out at 18 hp. Engine specs for the Kirie Elite 30 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1983 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 7 gal and 9 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
Both boats are rated for 8 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 6 173 lbs for the Kirie Elite 30 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1983 and 5 512 lbs for the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,7 ft and 5,7 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Kirie Elite 30 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1983 uses Sloop rigging. The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 has a documented auxiliary engine of 18 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 6,7 knots for the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 and 6,6 knots for the Kirie Elite 30 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1983.
Bottom line: The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 at 29,4 ft offers more living space, greater range, and a more substantial offshore capability. The Kirie Elite 30 - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1983 at 27,1 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.