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Feeling 486
Designer: Gilles Vaton  ·  Builder: Kirie  ·  First built: 1994
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About the Feeling 486

With its distinctive French pedigree, this mid-sized cruising sailboat emerged from Feeling's commitment to creating comfortable, seaworthy vessels for serious coastal and offshore sailing. The 486 represents the builder's philosophy of combining traditional sailing virtues with modern convenience, making it particularly appealing to couples and small families seeking adventure beyond protected waters. Built with a moderate displacement hull and well-balanced sail plan, the Feeling 486 demonstrates predictable handling characteristics that inspire confidence in challenging conditions. The design emphasizes structural integrity and seaworthiness over pure speed, though performance remains respectable across various wind conditions. Below deck, the interior layout prioritizes livability during extended passages, with thoughtful storage solutions and robust construction details throughout. This model suits sailors planning coastal exploration and offshore passages who value reliability and comfort over racing performance. The boat's European design sensibilities are evident in both its exterior lines and interior appointments, reflecting Feeling's reputation for building vessels that handle weather with composure. While not as common as some production boats, the 486 has earned respect among cruising sailors who appreciate its blend of traditional sailing qualities and practical accommodations.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 47.50 ft / 14.48 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 35.25 ft / 10.74 m
Beam 14.50 ft / 4.42 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement 22,046.00 lb / 10,000 kg
Ballast 5,732.00 lb / 2,600 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 961.00 ft² / 89.28 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Gilles Vaton
Builder Kirie
First Built 1994
Related Sailboats ["J/145" · "Swan 46 Mkii" · "Baltic 47" · "Etap 46Ds" · "Cr 470"]
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
19.63
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
24.86
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.07
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.96
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1.0
How It Compares

vs. Baltic 47, Etap 46Ds, Swan 46 Mkii

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Feeling 486 ★
47.5 ft
Baltic 47
47.8 ft
Etap 46Ds
47.4 ft
Swan 46 Mkii
47.1 ft
LWL
Feeling 486 ★
35.3 ft
Baltic 47
39.5 ft
Etap 46Ds
41.0 ft
Swan 46 Mkii
37.8 ft
Beam
Feeling 486 ★
14.5 ft
Baltic 47
14.4 ft
Etap 46Ds
14.4 ft
Swan 46 Mkii
14.4 ft
Displacement
Feeling 486 ★
22 lbs
Baltic 47
24 lbs
Etap 46Ds
28 lbs
Swan 46 Mkii
31 lbs
Ballast
Feeling 486 ★
5 lbs
Baltic 47
10 lbs
Etap 46Ds
9 lbs
Swan 46 Mkii
11 lbs
Sail Area
Feeling 486 ★
961 sq ft
Baltic 47
1 sq ft
Etap 46Ds
1 sq ft
Swan 46 Mkii
978 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Feeling 486 ★
19.6
Baltic 47
22.2
Etap 46Ds
19.3
Swan 46 Mkii
15.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Feeling 486 ★
Baltic 47
41.1 %
Etap 46Ds
32.7 %
Swan 46 Mkii
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Feeling 486 ★
24.9
Baltic 47
26.0
Etap 46Ds
29.1
Swan 46 Mkii
34.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Feeling 486 ★
2.07
Baltic 47
1.98
Etap 46Ds
1.90
Swan 46 Mkii
1.83
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Feeling 486 ★
Baltic 47
178
Etap 46Ds
183
Swan 46 Mkii
Hull Speed
Feeling 486 ★
8.0 kts
Baltic 47
8.4 kts
Etap 46Ds
8.6 kts
Swan 46 Mkii
8.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Feeling 486 ★
Baltic 47
3.6
Etap 46Ds
Swan 46 Mkii
2.0
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