Feeling 286

I am considering the purchase of a Feeling 286. Does anyone have any information/advice on things to look for in general or pertaining to this boat?

Experience of a friends Feeling 920;

Weak Stanchion?? bases. Mould on hessian linings Windows crack / crazed / needed reseating Engine bearers not up to an upgraded diesel 12 - 20 hp (nor the P Bracket) Rudder Srock Problems **** sails

Otherwise good performance No osmosis Strong hull Abke to take a blow V. Good aftersales service.

[Laurie]

Way too late for the original inquiror.......what if any boat was settled upon I wonder?
Anyway, my partner & I have just bought (Nov 2011) a Feeling 286 to replace our much loved Jaguar 27 which we sailed on the east coast.
Our requirement was for a boat that sailed well, wasn't significantly longer or deeper than the Jaguar, so we could keep our mooring; but we wanted more space for living aboard & guests.....In that, the Feeling has in spades, especially for a nominal 28 footer, especially, the aft cabin. Amazing. Some have twin aft cabins like the Westerly Tempest.....
We had been looking at Kelt 850/Feeling 29DI's, but couldn't find any for the condition/price balance. Found a Feeling 850 & also considered an Angus Primrose Moody 29. Too expensive as well for what it offered. I do like them, though...
The Feeling we found by accident, there don't seem to be many in the UK, but are a few in Europe, (Netherlands & the Ionian.....)
I don't pretend it'll be the perfect boat, but it seems to offer a lot for what it is, & could? suit our purposes perfectly... Down below is very airy & spacious, with the engine (Yanmar 2GM20 in this case, others have a 9hp Volvo) under the table, giving excellent access & the prop exits abaft the keel: no P brackets...hate them!. It has a proper chart table, decent heads, & on deck the layout seems very well thought out. The shoal draft wing keel draws 3' 9", & she promises to be a lot swifter in light airs than the Jaguar which had twin keels, but will need reefing relatively early. No problem as all lines are back to the cockpit! Apart from Yachting Worlds little summary in the 80s, this one seems to have been missed by the magazines, but this summer I'll have a better idea!