Kirie Feeling 1090

Description

The Feeling 1090 (also known as the Kirie Feeling 1090) is a popular French cruiser-racer sailboat built by Kirie (France) from 1986 to 1995 (some sources note production up to 1997). It was designed by Philippe Harlé and Bernard Mortain (Harlé-Mortain) as an evolution/extension of the earlier Feeling 1040, gaining a strong reputation for modern styling, bright/airy interiors, and solid performance in light-to-moderate winds. The design emphasizes volume (spacious for its length, often 7–9 berths over 3–4 cabins), quick handling, and versatility as a fast cruiser or club racer—light to medium displacement makes it lively but potentially a handful upwind in strong breeze without reefing early. It's a masthead sloop rig (fractional in some descriptions, but sail plan leans masthead with overlapping genoas), fin keel (standard or shoal draft options), spade rudder, wheel steering, and self-draining aft cockpit. Construction is GRP (fiberglass) with a focus on quality for the era (better than some contemporaries in build feel, though interior woodwork/carpet can age with damp issues). Owners clubs (e.g., active French group at clubfeeling1090.fr with 85+ Feeling 1090/1040 members) provide support, parts, and community.