For those following the Internet-generated hoopla
concerning the performance of the Aquilon versus the Farrier trimarans, from my observations, those guys ought to stick to the fabulous features of the Aquilon
and quit trying to be something they are not.
In the light air of the Chesapeake during Annapolis Demo Days last year, the F-boats blew right past us. The following day when the winds picked up a bit, the difference was much less noticeable yet it was still there, especially to windward (which would be expected between a cat with diminutive keels compared to a trimaran with a maximized daggerboard).
Interestingly, three decades ago I was faced with exactly the same dilemma. Should I buy a Hirondelle 24 or a Telstar 26? Corinne and I agonized, gnashed our teeth, and created much angst over that decision. We finally settled on the Hirondelle. I must say that in those days the choice was really much closer because the Telstar 26 was much more of a cruising boat than today's comparable F-boats, and the Hirondelle had daggerboards. Why do I say that? Because the Telstar 26 has hinged solid wing decks, lifelines, and considerably more interior room than the comparable F-27 or F-28.
Of course, the Aquilon has streamlined a bit from the comparison with the Hirondelle, and it is demountable and trailerable, again narrowing the
parameters. Rather than try to compare one to the other, I think looking at the positive features that meet the most needs of the buyer is the right way to look at it.
Going on the basis that the Aquilon is a performance-oriented cruising boat, and a comparable F-boat is a cruising-oriented performance boat, I list the following table:
Positive aspects
of F boats
1. Exceptional performance
2. Highly mobile due to exceptional folding system
3. Large racing class, hundreds of boats
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Negative aspects
for cruising
1. Trampoline as only decks
2. Wet sailing
3. Seesaw syndrome
4. Cramped and limited interior
5. Difficult to install bimini top |
Positive aspects
of Aquilon
1. Payout and room
2. Solid deck in cockpit
3. Visibility and sail handling
4. Ease of installation of bimini & dodger |
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Negative aspects
for racing
1. Average windward ability
2. Lengthy disassemble time
3. Few boats available
4. Little race history |
Paul Stanek touts his double headsail rig. That rig changes the model of the Aquilon from 26 to 265. My experience with double headsails on boats in that size range has always been negative unless the apparent wind is midships or aft of midships, which it so seldom is in a swift sport multihull. There are exceptions, but they are not applicable to the Aquilon.
It seemed no different with my experience on the Aquilon. During our sail you could get the vessel trimmed perfectly with all three sails apparently drawing well, then walk up to the foredeck and touch the jib and it would collapse, having no pressure on it at all. It was obvious that the flow through the slot was keeping the jib full, but it was creating drag rather than lift. The screecher (forward-most sail) was obviously under pressure and drawing well.
There is an optional hardtop for the cockpit, but I prefer the regular canvas bimini as it is more flexible. The vessel as shown also shows a boomless mainsail. My experience with them has been entirely negative. In fact, if you follow modern mainsail development, variations of the traditional gaff rig are appearing, mostly as the fat head or square top main. A mainsail is generally easier to control and to shape than a jib because two of its three sides are controlled by spars. Lacking a boom is lacking a certain amount of control, especially off the wind.
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I understand that many of you are going to accuse me of splitting hairs, but I don't think I am at all. I think that a prudent salesperson ought to
recognize these subtle differences and try to fit his clients into the best boat for their purposes.
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- Local News for Southern Sailors
- September 2001 Next Story
