Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 boat specs
Kirie
Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986
1986
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Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 boat specs
Kirie
Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982
1982
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Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 vs Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 vs Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 measures 29,4 feet overall (1986), giving it roughly 4,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 at 24,5 feet (1982). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 tips the scales at 5 512 lbs — 1 544 lbs more than the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 at 3 968 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 — 18 hp for the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 and 10 hp for the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982. 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 could be the deciding factor.

Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 5 512 lbs for the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 and 3 968 lbs for the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982. 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 4,7 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 uses Sloop rigging. For auxiliary power the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 carries a 18-hp engine against 10 hp on the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 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 6,7 knots for the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 and 6,0 knots for the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 carries 24 gallons versus 13 gallons on the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.

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 Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 at 24,5 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail29.40 ft
Length overall - Detail24.50 ft
Length - Feet29.4
Length - Feet24.5
Length overall - Meters8.96
Length overall - Meters7.47
Length overall - Inches353
Length overall - Inches294
Beam10.00 ft
Beam8.10 ft
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Meters2.47
Beam - Inches120
Beam - Inches97
Draft [max] - Detail5.70 ft
Draft [max] - Detail4.70 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.74
Draft [max] - Meters1.43
Draft [max] - Inches68
Draft [max] - Inches56
Displacement5512.00 lbs
Displacement3968.00 lbs
Body / Hull
Rudder1 semi-spade rudder
Rudder1 transom hung rudder
Helm1 tiller
Helm1 tiller
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal8.5
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters32.18
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Horsepower18 hp
Horsepower10 hp
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeoutboard
Performance
Maximum speed6.66
Maximum speed6.04
Maximum speed measureknots
Maximum speed measureknots
Operational Info
Water capacity23.8
Water capacity13.2
RiggingSloop
RiggingSloop
Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast
Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast
Boat typeSail
Boat typeSail

Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 vs Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 or the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982?
The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 is the longer of the two at 29,4 feet overall. The Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 comes in at 24,5 feet, making it roughly 4,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 or the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982?
For trailering, the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 has the edge at 3 968 lbs dry weight versus 5 512 lbs for the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 is rated to a maximum of 18 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 tops out at 10 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 is certified for 7. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the deeper draft — the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 or the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982?
The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 has the deeper draft at 5,7 ft, versus 4,7 ft for the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982. A deeper draft generally means better upwind performance and stability, but limits access to shallow anchorages and some marina berths. Always check the controlling depth of your home port and favourite cruising grounds before committing.
Is the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 or the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 better suited for offshore sailing?
For offshore work, displacement and construction are the primary indicators. The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 at 5 512 lbs displacement is the heavier, more load-carrying design — generally better suited to extended passages where seakeeping and provisioning capacity matter most. The Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 at 3 968 lbs will typically be livelier and more responsive in lighter conditions.
Which is the faster sailboat — the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 or the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982?
Based on rated hull speed, the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 has an edge at 6,7 knots versus 6,0 knots for the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982. Keep in mind that actual sailing speed depends heavily on wind conditions, sail trim, bottom condition, and skipper experience — hull speed is a theoretical maximum, not a guarantee.
Which boat is better equipped for long-distance cruising?
For extended passages, fresh water capacity is a key indicator of cruising readiness. The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 carries 24 gallons of fresh water compared to 13 gallons on the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 — a meaningful advantage when watermaker installations or port stops aren't guaranteed.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 measures 120" wide, compared to 97" for the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 and Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Kirie Feeling 286 S - Fin Keel Fin Keel 1986 and the Kirie Feeling 720 NV - Fin keel Fin keel 1982 are built by Kirie. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.