On Sun, 25 Jun 2006 22:57:30 -0400, DSK wrote:

It seems more sensible to me that a light, strongly built
boat with a fast hull, would carry loads much better than a
boxy hull that was heavier to begin with.

It really boils down to what is the impact of your cruising gear on a
light displacement boat vs heavy displacement. Let's for the sake of
argument say that you've got 4,000 lbs of cruising "stuff", e.g.,
extra water, extra fuel, larger batteries, extra anchors, chain,
windlass, solar panels, cruising canvas, food, refrigeration, tools,
spares, dinghy, motor, etc, etc.

On a 10,000 lb boat, that is a 40% increase, a considerable amount
which will no doubt adversely affect performance.

Same gear on a 20,000 lb boat is only a 20% increase.

Assuming both were the same speed to begin with, the lighter boat will
be more severely impacted.