The Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 vs Kirie Feeling 960 - Shoal draft Shoal 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 Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 at 32,6 ft versus Kirie Feeling 960 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1986 at 32,7 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 — 1 146 lbs more than the Kirie Feeling 960 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1986 at 8 598 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 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 carries a rated maximum of 28 hp. Engine data for the Kirie Feeling 960 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1986 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 carries 30 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Kirie Feeling 960 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1986. 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 — 9 744 lbs for the Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 and 8 598 lbs for the Kirie Feeling 960 - Shoal draft Shoal 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.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 4,4 ft and 4,4 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 uses Sloop rigging. The Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 has a documented auxiliary engine of 28 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 7,0 knots for the Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 and 6,8 knots for the Kirie Feeling 960 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1986.
Bottom line: The Kirie Feeling 326 - Shoal draft Shoal draft 1987 and Kirie Feeling 960 - Shoal draft Shoal 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.