The Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 vs Kirie Feeling 1090 - Deep draft Deep draft 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 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 at 37,1 ft versus Kirie Feeling 1090 - Deep draft Deep draft 1986 at 36,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 tips the scales at 12 787 lbs — 1 984 lbs more than the Kirie Feeling 1090 - Deep draft Deep draft 1986 at 10 803 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 1090 - Deep draft Deep draft 1986 tops out at 28 hp. Engine specs for the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Kirie Feeling 1090 - Deep draft Deep draft 1986 carries 32 gallons versus 20 gallons in the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Both boats are rated for 11 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 — 12 787 lbs for the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 and 10 803 lbs for the Kirie Feeling 1090 - Deep draft Deep draft 1986. 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 Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 draws 6,2 ft, compared to 5,1 ft for the Kirie Feeling 1090 - Deep draft Deep draft 1986. That 1,1-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 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 uses a 1 tiller (helm wheel in option) versus a 1 wheel on the Kirie Feeling 1090 - Deep draft Deep draft 1986. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. The Kirie Feeling 1090 - Deep draft Deep draft 1986 has a documented auxiliary engine of 28 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 7,5 knots for the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 and 7,2 knots for the Kirie Feeling 1090 - Deep draft Deep draft 1986. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 carries 79 gallons versus 63 gallons on the Kirie Feeling 1090 - Deep draft Deep draft 1986 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Kirie Elite 37- Fin Keel Fin Keel 1982 and Kirie Feeling 1090 - Deep draft Deep draft 1986 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.