Design and Construction
Barrett's hull form is a fiberglass monohull with a spooned raked stem and an angled transom, built of solid glass rather than a cored laminate. The 35 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio and a capsize screening value near 2.53 describe a modestly proportioned coastal boat, while the 139.55 displacement-length ratio confirms a relatively heavy, low-powered hull for her length. A retractable centerboard and transom-hung rudder on a tiller give her the shallow-draft flexibility typical of a trailer-sailer, letting her gunkhole where fixed-keel boats cannot retractable centerboard.
Rig and Handling
The Aquarius 21 is rigged as a fractional sloop — a Bermuda-rigged, fractionally stayed layout carrying 163 square feet of sail. With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17 and a hull speed around 5.72 knots, she is built for gentle coastal sailing rather than speed. The PHRF average handicap of 273 places her firmly in the slow end of the racing spectrum, a number consistent with her ballast-heavy, short-waterline hull form PHRF racing average handicap of 273.
Accommodations
Below, the Aquarius 21 uses a pop-top cabin to gain standing room, sleeping two people in a double V-berth forward and two quarter berths under the cockpit in the main cabin. The galley sits on the port side just forward of the companionway ladder and is equipped with a stove and a sink, while the head is tucked under the bow V-berth on the port side. The arrangement is compact but functional for weekending, with the quarter berths making practical use of the space beneath the cockpit sole.
The Verdict
The Aquarius 21 is a straightforward, small coastal cruiser whose appeal lies in her shallow-draft centerboard versatility, simple outboard power, and usable sleeping layout in a trailerable package. She is not a performer by racing standards, but her documented proportions and accommodations make her a sensible entry-level or pocket-cruiser choice.
Pros
- Retractable centerboard gives 1-foot shallow draft for launching and gunkholing
- Pop-top cabin with double V-berth and two quarter berths sleeps four total
- Simple fractional sloop rig with outboard motor for easy ownership
Cons
- PHRF 273 confirms she is slow relative to other racers
- Low 17 sail-area-to-displacement ratio limits light-air performance
- Compact galley and head suit only minimal cruising needs
