> >>That does not change the thrust of the post. > >Yes, the basic premise is the same. In order to exceed theoretical hull >speed, enough additional power must be applied to have the boat climb over >her boat wave. Agree completely. > >>Full displacement vessels of good design can be driven well above hull > >>speed with acceptable fuel consumption when compared to other vessels >at > >>comparable S/L ratios. I suspect the top speed is somewhere around S/L >= > >>1.65. > >I really hesitate to use words like "top speed". Obviously if you belayed >a tow line between a full displacement boat and the QE2 (as a horrible >example) you would go as fast as she did.... That is, until she ran aground >again. ;-) The same would apply in the case of providing enough on-board >power, but efficiency does suffer. > Maybe you would like, "practical top speed." I'm sure enough power could be provided to send it to the moon if that didn't sink it by the weight of engine and fuel. I'm not willing to buy the fuel for cruising at S/L = 1.40, so my "top speed" is much less than many others. CaptnWil 40 Pier Pointe New Bern NC 28562 (252) 636-3601 captnwil@coastalnet.com