Francis succeeded admirably in utilizing all his earlier experience and familiarity with his father's great designs, and advancing them with his own independent genius and artistry. What evolved is his own pure creation, and an exceptional daysailer. Francis was partial to the advantages of comparatively shallow draft designs. He compensated for this factor by employing longer waterlines, exquisit
e, easily driven body plans and sensible, moderate-sized rigs and sail plans. The Stuart Knockabout is a splendid example of these basic design principles. She is exceptionally fast and, therefore, great fun to sail. She also has surprising power and is not slowed perceptibly by an oncoming sea. She is comfortable and forgiving, and with every unnecessary piece of complicated gear absent, what is left is an uncluttered, simple, easily handled thoroughbred. Every boat is, to some extent, some kind of compromise. But if you are looking for such attributes as space, comfort, ease of handling and shallow draft, combined with lots of speed in a larger elegant daysailer, you will probably not find a more qualified boat than this.
