Dangerous thing

[senormechanico]

On a delivery of a Dragonfly 35 from Puget Sound to Newport Beach with 2 days of light Southerlies at the start, we averaged 8.5 knots for 1250 miles including the sail to the dock.
I'm the short guy in the last pic.

Steve

[Capt Phil]

Those of us who are or have been in the delivery business know very well not to commit to an arrival time and date. Sometimes you're early, sometimes you're late... The most important thing is to arrive with as many you left with and the vessel is in reasonable nick! Phil

[carstenb]

I normally figure on 6 knots as my cruising speed (hull speed is 8.4). Last summer on a 412nm upwind passage, we averaged 7.2 knots (wind speed 25+ knots), close-hauled the entire way. (double reef in main, reef in genua).

Our 6 knots is about what our friends average. We frequently sail to an island 74nm from our slip. we figure on 12-13 hours (6 knots) and we're almost never wrong. Fastest time we've recorded was just shy of 9 hours (beam reach the whole way, 20 knot winds)

[Tortuga's Lie]

About 2/3rds hull speed usually works out pretty good for me for planning purposes, which brings it in at 5 knots, which we can usually make under sail in winds down to 7 to 9 knots. Winds about 10-12 knots, we're getting closer to our hull speed.

I agree about not having to sail to a schedule, unless you can pick either the time or place but not both. Or if the distance covered is minimal (less than a days sail and sometimes that is iffy)

[a64pilot]

2/3 hull speed is a good planning number, who complains if your early?
Although if I'm going somewhere I'll crank the Diesel if speed drops below about 4 kts.
depending on sea state my sails won't stay filled with less than 5 kts of wind at times.
Without the Iron Genny I'd say half hull speed at times is a good number, seems the time of year has a lot to do with it also.