The Kirie Feeling 1100 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1982 vs Kirie Feeling 446 - Deep draft Deep draft 1988 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 55 hp, the Kirie Feeling 446 - Deep draft Deep draft 1988 has a 27-hp advantage over the Kirie Feeling 1100 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1982's 28-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Kirie Feeling 446 - Deep draft Deep draft 1988 carries 74 gallons versus 20 gallons in the Kirie Feeling 1100 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1982. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
The Kirie Feeling 1100 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1982 is rated for up to 11 people. Passenger data for the Kirie Feeling 446 - Deep draft Deep draft 1988 wasn't available.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Kirie Feeling 446 - Deep draft Deep draft 1988 displaces 20 944 lbs — a 8 157-lb difference over the Kirie Feeling 1100 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1982 at 12 787 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 — 6,1 ft and 6,8 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Kirie Feeling 1100 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1982 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Kirie Feeling 1100 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1982 uses a 1 tiller (helm wheel in option) versus a 1 wheel on the Kirie Feeling 446 - Deep draft Deep draft 1988. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. For auxiliary power the Kirie Feeling 446 - Deep draft Deep draft 1988 carries a 55-hp engine against 28 hp on the Kirie Feeling 1100 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1982. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Hull speed is rated at 8,0 knots for the Kirie Feeling 446 - Deep draft Deep draft 1988 and 7,5 knots for the Kirie Feeling 1100 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1982. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Kirie Feeling 446 - Deep draft Deep draft 1988 carries 145 gallons versus 79 gallons on the Kirie Feeling 1100 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1982 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Kirie Feeling 446 - Deep draft Deep draft 1988 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 20 944 lbs displacement and 0 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Kirie Feeling 1100 - Keel and centerboard Keel and centerboard 1982 at 12 787 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.