The Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 vs Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 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 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 at 31,4 ft versus Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 at 32,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 tips the scales at 9 744 lbs — 2 248 lbs less than the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 at 7 496 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 28 hp for the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 and 28 hp for the Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 30 gal and 30 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
Both boats are rated for 9 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.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 displaces 9 744 lbs — a 2 248-lb difference over the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 at 7 496 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,2 ft and 4,4 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 uses Sloop rigging.
Hull speed is rated at 7,0 knots for the Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 and 7,0 knots for the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987.
Bottom line: The Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 9 744 lbs displacement and 33 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 at 7 496 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.