wrote in message
...
On Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:16:33 -0500, "KLC Lewis"
wrote:



Rocket engines would be silly.

No argument


There is a point at which, regardless of how
much engine power you have, the propeller will be unable to do anything
but
cavitate and the hull will not go faster through the water because of
drag/resistance. We are talking about displacement vessels, of course.


Yes, we are

I did not say that surfing was necessary, I only offered that as an
example
where displacement vessels can easily exceed hull speed.


Personally, I define hull speed as a measurement of speed through water",
rather
than "Speed over ground" , so surfing isn't even really part of the
discussion


And with wind power, the sails will rip themselves to shreds or the vessel
will be dismasted before the boat will exceed hull speed by any
significant
degree.


Baloney. Complete baloney.

Can displacement vessels exceed hull speed? Yes, but...


You have given very strong evidence that you don't really understand the
terms
under discussion.

Hull speed is not "speed over ground", it is "speed through the water"

Hull speed is not the same thing as "Top Speed"

Hull speed is not an absolute, it's an approximate calculation and is not
very
precise.

Bottom line: Many sailboats exceed THEORETICAL hull speed all the time,
without
any tricks.



Yes, they do. But do they exceed that theoretical hull speed by a
significant degree? If hull speed is calculated to be 6 knots for a
displacement sailing vessel, can you make that hull move through the water
at 10 knots? 12?

Theoretical hull speed for Escapade is 6.29 knots at her 22' length
waterline. I've had her knotmeter up to 7.6 on several occasions, flirted
with 8 once and it was a true white-knuckle e-ticket ride. How much more
force would it take to get her up to 10 knots? More than can be provided by
her sails with her rig remaining attached to the boat, and more than could
be provided by any engine that could be installed.

Would she go 10 or 12 knots if she was being towed by an aircraft carrier?
Perhaps, but I suspect that she would be sucked under the water.