Abbigail
Your quilt is beautiful. It probably looks even better now that it is quilted. I don't know much about sailing, boats etc., but the patches you used in middle of the bottom and top look like signal flags. It gives me an idea for some of the panels I have in my stash.
I found a book a few weeks ago that encourages the use of panels and large motive fabrics. It uses nine patches that dance though the quilt or blend like a water color quilt without all the work. "9-Patch Pizzazz" by Judy Sisneros. Her ideas give movement throughout the quilt like yours does.
Petra