The Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 vs Kirie Feeling 920 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1981 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 920 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1981 at 31,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Kirie Feeling 920 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1981 tips the scales at 9 370 lbs — 1 874 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.

The Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 carries a rated maximum of 28 hp. Engine data for the Kirie Feeling 920 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1981 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 carries 30 gallons versus 9 gallons in the Kirie Feeling 920 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1981. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

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.

Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 7 496 lbs for the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 and 9 370 lbs for the Kirie Feeling 920 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1981. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.

Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Kirie Feeling 920 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1981 draws 6,4 ft, compared to 5,2 ft for the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987. That 1,2-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.

The Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 uses a 1 tiller (helm wheel in option) versus a 1 tiller on the Kirie Feeling 920 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1981. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. The Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 has a documented auxiliary engine of 28 hp.

Hull speed is rated at 7,0 knots for the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 and 6,8 knots for the Kirie Feeling 920 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1981. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Kirie Elite 326-Deep Draft Deep Draft 1987 carries 50 gallons versus 34 gallons on the Kirie Feeling 920 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1981 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.