Here is a very interesting design from Marc Lombard for the French company, Feeling. This is the first new boat I have seen from it in a few years. The promotional material says it could be a boat for “A circumnavigation in ultimate comfort.”

This is a very good looking boat with some interesting features.  There are “mini fins” with end plates on them port and starboard, outboard of the centerboard trunk. The idea is that combined with the twin rudders the Feeling 13.9 will be able to sit on the mud with dignity. This can be very important if you cruise in areas with big tides and mud flats. It’s far from dignified to lay over on your side waiting for the tide to return. This is the first time I have seen the problem attacked with fixed struts.

The promotional material calls the centerboard a lifting keel so that would seem to indicate to me that it is weighted. The centerboard trunk is partially below the hull and can be accessed for maintenance when the boat is afloat. Draft with board down is 9 feet 2 inches and board up a scant 3 feet. The hull has a prominent single chine starting at the bow. Note the deep forefoot. The D/ L in loaded condition is 184. L/B is 3.2. Just for reference the D/L in light condition is 151. That’s quite a difference.

The unusual thing about the interior layout is that there is only one layout. Most modern, European production models have at least three or four interior layout options. Not this one. I’d consider this a raised-saloon configuration. Raising the saloon allows the entire lifting-keel trunk to be below the cabin sole. There are twin quarter cabins aft with double berths. The aft head is located to starboard. To port is a large galley. The nav station is forward of the head. There is a U-shaped dinette to port opposite a settee berth to starboard. The forward stateroom features a centerline double berth with adjoining head to starboard and shower stall to port. Nothing unusual or novel here.  This layout should work very well.

The rig has the mast stepped well aft with a long boom. I have images for one version with an arch to carry the mainsheet and another sailplan drawing indicating a bridle-style mainsheet. I like the idea of the arch as it gets the mainsheet totally out of the cockpit. The sailplan shows a very nice looking profile with a low windshield protecting the large cockpit. The SA/D is 20.09 using the loaded displacement.

Marc Lombard has a very good reputation for good performing boats. I suspect the new Feeling will sail very well while keeping the crew quite comfortable.

---

LOA 45’2”; LWL 41’5”; Beam 14’1”; Draft 3’ to 9’2”; Displ. 24,250 (light) 29,321 (loaded); Sail area 1,194 sq. ft.; SA/D 20.09; D/L 184 (loaded); L/B 3.2; Auxiliary 75-hp Volvo or 80-hp Yanmar; Fuel 53 gal.; Water 105 gal. 

Schedule