I am coming to the conclusion that the new modern so-called "Pizza" style boats are really designed for space and comfort. And designing them after the new mono
racing boats for the reason to go faster under average cruising conditions is only marginally more efficient.
Yes they do sail somewhat faster in certain conditions and when not loaded down, but I cannot imagine a
hull designed for planing a very good sailing shape if loaded down very much.
All the videos of these new designs I have seen sailing, are either new models with nothing in them in protected seas, or ultra-light boats that are not applicable to cruising like the one shown in the earlier posts.
What I am impressed with is how stable and smooth the new boats sail, at least in the videos I saw in mostly protected waters without ocean swell.
I would think if the hull cannot get up on plane, then its best to design it to move through the
water with the least amount resistance. Yes if the new designs could plane, they would have far less resistance than older designs, and may be possible if flying enough
canvas, but i don't think the average cruising couple would be pushing the boat that hard normally.
Therefore I believe fast cruisers are best designed for semi-displacement, so you have some lifting effect but still mostly in the
water because of the load, at the same time creates more of a cushion ride when pounding into the wind, or getting hit from a breaking wave astern.
So unless they can get the cruising Pizza boats up on plane, I don't think we will see a huge difference in speed. and the challenge is I believe a boat needs to be going at-least 12 knots to start planning, even faster depending on load.
So far the fastest modern cruising Pizza boat I saw during a trial run was a $450,000 54' Jeaneau doing 8+ knots on a broad reach in 30
knot winds, that's maybe 1
knot faster than my $40,000 40' full
keel 1967 wooden
ketch loaded for trans Pacific crossing that only has a 31' waterline length. For some reason with all of today's technology, I'm expecting more?