Tranquilitiy Island

My construcrtion is to workboat level only. If you look at the quality of the workmanship and you see flaws that bother you, please keep in mind that what I do works for me. My boat is strong where it needs to be, it does what it is designed to do, and I build light-weight with just enough material to do the job. If you want to build to perfection, give it a try but you will probably never finish. If you want flawles woodwork, glass smooth paint and perfectly cut sails. go for it but if you can, and do build to that level, while you have my admiration, I suggest you put your boat on display and keep it out of the water. For me, the beauty is in the performance. I want to sail, not look at boats. Aquila is boat to be used and used hard. A few small ink marks on the sail doesn't matter to me when I see that sail drawing well and powering my boat at and above her hull speed. A small bend in a spar doesn't bother me when I'm tacking at 90 degrees and making good time to windward. I don't want a pampered thoroughbred. I just want a properly performing workhorse.

For me, it's: "Keep it simple stupid." (KISS) Comfortable sailing, easy handling, uncomplicated, safe, stable, worry free and most of all fun.

The final goal of all these modifications is to make Aquila the most trouble free sailing canoe I can without sacrificing performance.

So far so good!.