"Gary" wrote in message

One of the things you have to remember with designs like the Sea Sprite,
is that they increase waterline length significantly as they heel and they
always heel. If you increase her waterline by 2 feet the D/LWL drops to
335. 3 feet makes it 290. The Sail Calc numbers are just for upright
boats. Unlike modern boat with fat asses, the older boats were meant to
be sailed on their sides. The old boat I sail has a waterline length of
63 feet or so but we always sail her on her ear and the water line is up
around 80+ feet. The length on deck is about 96'. Modern boats gain no
WL when heeled and in fact some racers try to heel them in light airs to
reduce wetted area. They are meant to be sailed flat as they lever the
rudders out when heeled excessively. Note the prevalence of twin rudders
lately so sleds don't wipe out as much.

I can concur with your observations Gary..... yet it's not LWL alone that
will qualify speed potential. Basically I believe both the Sea Sprite &
Nordica are downwind oriented vessels. Sail Area, wetted surface and
displacement are mitigating factors as to speed potential off the wind. My
Nordica carries her beam well forward and aft of amidships. From the
description of sailing given by Max... I can agree with his descriptions of
fair upwind and absolutely astounding downwind performance with my vessel as
well. I don't have a racing boat... not even close. I cruise and take my
time. It's the journey and not the destination.

CM