Why the endless need for speed?

[zstine]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

...
The difference between fast and slow on most cruising boats is a range of about 5 to 9 knots. ....

Um, you haven't been paying attention to the multi-hull market have you? I think that range is more like 5 to 20 knots.
from Yachting world review of the (now old) gunboat 55.

"The 55, however, consistently made 15-20 knots reaching, comfortably, stably, easily, whether in waves and big winds under jib or asymmetric, or on flat water with the furling R1/screecher sail up. The 55 is a passagemaking mile-gobbler, and one that had me hooked.

Read more at http://www.yachtingworld.com/reviews/boat-tests/gunboat-55-boat-test-is-this-the-coolest-boat-in-the-caribbean#ZDFogI4ks3McM5Bo.99"

[zstine]

Originally Posted by BandB

You mean one of the ones that fell apart?

I know of one dis-masted gunboat and abandoned because the owner was running low on wine and wasn't comfortable/able to jury rig. The boat drifted for a year and was found and recently salvaged. On the flip, I know of several Beneteaus that have lost keels, sank and have had major structural failures right out of the factory some resulting in deaths.

Again, speed is not about pushing limits. It's about design. You can go 20knts safer than some cheap 6knt production boats, but it's expensive. That I'm willing to concede.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by zstine

Um, you haven't been paying attention to the multi-hull market have you? I think that range is more like 5 to 20 knots.......

You haven't been paying attention to what was just written have you...

'The difference between fast and slow on most cruising boats is a range of about 5 to 9 knots. ....'

[daletournier]

And 2-4 extra knots is quite alot over decent length passages, days in fact depending on passage length.

[boatman61]

True.. solo on a Bendi 331 took me 21 days SMX to Horta.. took a 70footer 17 days and 8 crew..

[TeddyDiver]

The biggest culprit are irrational schedules. Without a schedule there's no hurry to anywhere, instead why not to stop in the middle of nowhere just to bake some pastry and enjoy them with a cup of good coffee and sip some madeire for sundowner. Night diving and stargazing... That's how limited time here should be spent, not rushing around..

BR Teddy

[nicholson31]

I often explain the difference between a power boater and Sail boater as this;
A power boater is always trying to get somewhere, a sail boater is already there!

But to answer the question, I 'm in my happy place @ 6-7 knots..

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by nicholson31

I often explain the difference between a power boater and Sail boater as this;
A power boater is always trying to get somewhere, a sail boater is all ready there!..

[conachair]

Originally Posted by TeddyDiver

The biggest culprit are irrational schedules. Without a schedule there's no hurry to anywhere, instead why not to stop in the middle of nowhere just to bake some pastry and enjoy them with a cup of good coffee and sip some madeire for sundowner. Night diving and stargazing... That's how limited time here should be spent, not rushing around..

BR Teddy

Calendars can be one of the most dangerous things you can have on a boat..

[Captain Mark]

While my boat isn't the fastest one out there, heck you ever been passed by a Cat on the way to an anchorage that makes you feel like you are sitting still? Oh, I digress... I certainly want to be able to make passages in the shortest time possible, but I am also happy to sacrifice speed for seakindliness, that said I feel it's a balance. While I love sailing, being on a multiday passage, one beer left below, land is a welcome site to explore... and get more beer! With regard to speed, that's why I have a 25 HP on my dinghy!

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by conachair

Calendars can be one of the most dangerous things you can have on a boat..

Mono-hulls shouldn't have schedules, only destinations!

[ccannan]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

I never said or implied our boat was biggish.[emoji2] But you are correct, the boats here would make the average greenie or socialist have a coronary.

We had a 175ft ketch anchored next to us last evening, what a beauty. Looked like a much larger version of this one.

Why only greenies or socialists?

[SecondBase]

"Fast to beat weather" is one oft opined theory. Another one is slow down and check your weather windows more carefully ...

[Polux]

Originally Posted by boatman61

For me speed = breakage.. more stress on rigs that are of dubious quality so slow and steady wins the race..
....

Why? On a old heavy boat there is needed a lot more sail to sail at a lower speed than on a modern light boat going faster. The light boat goes faster doing much less efforts on the rig, winches and even on boat structure since the old boat tends to bury itself on the water while the light one tend to go over the water.

And speed is relative does not mean only absolute high speeds. Today I sailed with 8/9k winds going upwind between 6,5 and a bit over 7K. All old heavy sailboats were motorsailing, going slower than me.

Speed is also (and mostly) the difference between sailing and motoring. Well that can be very important for the ones that really want and like to SAIL and irrelevant for the ones that motor, but we are talking about sailboats and sailboats are designed to sail.

[a64pilot]

The old heavy boat is sometimes more comfortable due to its inertia, where the light weight boat slams due to riding over the waves.

Leroy Grumman founder of Grumman aircraft had a quote above his office door. It read
Light makes right, right up to the point of structural failure.