1984 MacGregor 26 vs 1990 Feeling 32 — Comparison
1984 MacGregor 26
1990 Feeling 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 MacGregor 26 | 1990 Feeling 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | MacGregor | Feeling |
| Year | 1984–1995 | 1990–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Roger MacGregor | Philippe Harlé |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 9.85 m (32.3 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.15 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 0.61 m (2.0 ft) | 1.50 m (4.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) |
| Ballast | 227 kg (500 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 22.3 m² (240 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 MacGregor 26 and 1990 Feeling 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 MacGregor 26 is a 1980s design by MacGregor from USA, while the 1990 Feeling 32 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The 1984 MacGregor 26 was penned by Roger MacGregor. The 1990 Feeling 32 was designed by Philippe Harlé.
In terms of size, the 1984 MacGregor 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1990 Feeling 32 at 9.85m (32.3ft) with a 3.15m beam. The 1990 Feeling 32 is 2.05m longer than the 1984 MacGregor 26. The 1990 Feeling 32 displaces approximately 371% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 MacGregor 26 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 22.70 and 22.3 m² of sail area. The 1990 Feeling 32, with an SA/D of 14.49 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1984 MacGregor 26 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 MacGregor 26 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.04). The 1990 Feeling 32 has a comfort ratio of 20.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 22.8% for the 1984 MacGregor 26 and 36.2% for the 1990 Feeling 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 MacGregor 26 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 15L of fuel. The 1990 Feeling 32 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Feeling 32 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1984 MacGregor 26 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1984 MacGregor 26 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1984 MacGregor 26 · 1990 Feeling 32