AQSailing

I've had her out about 7 times now. I like her better each time and as I get used to her I'm making changes here and there that are adding to the comfort level. I need a thicker cushion for the floorboards but that's not a big problem at all. I need to make a new sail that is a bit taller and has a shorter boom because even using the forward mast mast step she's not quite as balanced as I 'd like. My first sail was just over 50 square feet and I had a jib with another 15 but found that way too much for my comfort level. The current sail is about 42 squares and that seems about right for the average wind level here.

There have been a few times I've been hit with a good puff and had to luff up to keep from heeling uncomfortably . My Featherwind sailed a lot flatter than Aquila does. She's 15' 8" LOA and her beam is 3' 2". I'm glad I put in the extra beam because it's nice to have the stability when youre between islands and land is a long way off. I'm staying in the lee of Panggangan and not pushing things at all.
Aquila has good turn of speed. I'm using a Garmin Yellow GPS set to Nautical measurement and I have clocked her at 5.3 kts running before the wind. That's a bit over 6mph and according to the "Hull" data readout for Aquila that's over her maximum hull speed. I know she went faster on a reach but I was too busy to check the GPS. Foot pedals are a great conveniences and it's nice to have your hands free for tending the sheet, getting a drink or taking pictures.

Aquila is a very dry boat so far. The pic on the upper left shows how much water she took on a 3 hour sail today. Waves got up about 18" to two feet and when she runs into a wave or drops onto one with her bow it's gently and any splash is more off to the sides than over her deck. the fine entry does it's job and there is very little pounding. The more I sail her the more I think I hit a good combination of sailing charicteristics. Her construction is pretty amateurish. In my first attempt at designing and building my own boat from scratch I learned a lot. In a beauty contest she'd not fair too well but in the water she's sweet, good manered and quick. I shouted "Mayun Buntag" (good morning) to a fisherman in an outrigger as I passed him. His response was: "Very fast. Joe."

Hee Hee...