How to swing SWMBO? Feeling 326 vs Benny 325

Tintin

Tintin

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A dilemma.

SWMBO like a 1989 Feeling 326 we have seen and prefers it to A Beneteau 325.

Her decision is hugely influenced by the lighter wood and the feeling of light and space.

I have reservations as the benny is larger but doesnt look it. I am told the benny is a better sail especially to windward.

The cockpit area is larger which would suit our family of young kids.

Even the abscence of heating and 12v fridge on the Feeling has not put her off.

I fear the blue velour on the benny may be to blame.

My argument that "it is a boat first" gets countered with "and a home for us when we are not sailing".

Is the Feeling a good sail compared to the Benny?


What to do?
 
Feelings sail well and I would be very surprised if they handle very much differently from the Benny....unless you are comparing a swing keel with a fixed keel. Perhaps you could have a test sail in both?

It may be worth listening to your missus. It's far better to have a willing crew than a reluctant one.

FWIW the lighter wood of the Feeling is probably Elm.
 
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It may be worth listening to your missus. It's far better to have a willing crew than a reluctant one.

+!

I will guarantee you will spend more time at anchor, on a mooring, in a marina (in the laundry) than sailing to windward. But I might insist on the fridge and heating (you will be thanked for both)

You will never need to say anything but its better not having someone say to you 'I told you so'

Jonathan
 
Who is the most experienced sailor ? They should have the choice.

However the comment about having a willing partner is very true, maybe worth trying the ' if we were beating off a lee shore at night in a stiff F6 with the kids on board ' argument.

Divorce worked well for me though. :rolleyes:
 
Rigger Mortice said:
It may be worth listening to your missus. It's far better to have a willing crew than a reluctant one.
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+2
If she is more prepared to go to the boat, she is more prepared to sail on the boat. Your budget will increase for second boat. You will be more aware of the mistakes made in buying first boat...

If you where discussing between a motor sailor and a racing machine my advice could be different...

In the case its splitting hears IMHO, get the boat shes happy with...

Then Go Sailing....
 
Do you want her to sail with you / stay married to you. If yes, and if you're happy with either then go with her choice. You can tell her that you prefer the other and see what she thinks but let her win.

Might be worth saying that with the one that you don't like you would like to refurb the interior, new upholstery etc, and see if that helps but let her win.

If you're not happy with the compromise then keep looking, plenty of boats out there.
 
The Feeling 326 is a pure cruiser, the Beneteau 325 is a 'First' series cruiser-racer. The Feelings used light colour ash and elm woods long before most other builders, and have big windows, so look more modern and airy. The Beneteau First is substantially faster and less liable to "round up in a gust" than the Feeling, with a deeper draught and higher ballast ratio. Both are good boats in their own way. We are selling a really well sorted First 325 at present - http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/boats/h95613/h95613.htm
 
I popped across to Mumsnet and came across this........

Lady Red said:
A dilemma.

HWMBO likes a Beneteau 325 we have seen and prefers it to a 1989 Feeling 326.

His decision is hugely influenced by the darker wood and the constricted, dark feeling.

I have reservations as although the Feeling is smaller it doesn't look it. He tells me the Benny is better to sail, especially to windward. Whatever that means.

The cockpit area is larger which would be risky with our family of young kids.

The absence of heating and 12v fridge on the Feeling puts me off, but I haven't said so.

But the Benny has velour upholstery, for Heaven's Sake. Who could live with that?

If it's a home for us when we are not sailing why should I compromise when we have to have the flappy things up?

The Feeling has nice wooshy windows as well?


What to do?
Click to expand...
 
They are both nice boats, so go with the flow. You'll get more use out of the boat if your family are happy to join you.
 
The Bene FIRST 325 is a great sailing boat and would have been my choice if one was around when last changing. TBH though I have never seen a Feeling 326 sail.

If SWMBO doen't like blue velour (and as I've got it in my Bene I know where she's coming from) then change it. The 325 is a design from the 80's and I'd agree about the amount of dark wood too. Nice light upholstery will set it up nicely.
 
My swmbo hates dark boats with a vengeance and preferred the lightness of a Jeanneau Deck Saloon with white faux leather upholstery. I prefer the sailing qualities of an Arcona.
The result is SWMBO is sailing with me starting next weekend for a months holiday on the DS.
 
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A guy I knew went to buy a motor sailor with his wife as their first "big" boat.He bought a Sigma 362 because his wife liked the inside of the boat.Within a couple of years she bailed out of a cruise on the way back from the south coast.It was really too much boat for her experience and he kept wanting to go on long cruises and overnights.I heard he now doesn't have a boat.
Although you do spend some time in port and living on the boat you mostly buy a boat to sail and it is important to assess the performance of the boat at sea because if your wife/partner doesn't like the actual sailing/movement bit you will be spending more time in port.With young kids you will be doing a good bit of this anyway as unless they actually love sailing the boredom threshold of todays youngsters is pretty low.
 
ditchcrawler said:
....... as unless they actually love sailing the boredom threshold of todays youngsters is pretty low.
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Thankfully all four like sailing especially when heeled, and when they get bored the DS's come out.

Back to my OP, I think a re-upholster is going to have to be the order of the day. :(
 
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