Isn't going big to maintain higher average speeds with comfort the point. My personal interest would be to always achieve wind speed or better on all points of sail above a board reach up to close hauled in almost all condition. Who wants to lay a haul float like a cork or through milk creates over board to slow down.
 
 Here's a few clips of a large proa in a sea way at speed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWHUse-ArSk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf2pLFC5xCs&feature=related

--- In harryproa@yahoogroups.com.au, Paul Wilson <opusnz@...> wrote:

I have found the recent threads very interesting and thanks to all for 
their contributions.  One thing has been bothering me though.  Talk has 
been of large proas at high speeds.  I assume these are designs for open 
ocean.  12m, 15 m and speeds of 25 to 30 knots have been mentioned.  
This seems unrealistic to me and would be designing for an ideal of high 
wind with flat water and no waves.  Having sailed offshore, I know that 
a 10 to 15 knot trade wind that has been blowing for a few days normally 
kicks up a 2 to 3 meter swell.  Going 25 knots on a 3 meter swell with a 
light boat could launch you into the air.  These waves are what limit 
your speed as their tops crash into beams, superstructure, or you.  If 
one is designing an offshore cruising or racing boat, wouldn't it be 
better to design for max efficiency at a more realistic speed?  Say 10 
to 15 knots for a fast, offshore multihull?  This seems more realistic 
to me and may result in a boat that was more all round, easier to keep 
"in the groove" and possibly faster.

As an illustration,  I have a friend currently sailing from Galapagos to 
Marquesas.  His average speeds have been between 6 and 7 knots on a 35 
foot catamaran that in the same conditions in flat water would probably 
be 12 knots or better.  The pounding and smashing if he pushes the boat 
is always so bad that he has to limit the speed.  On my heavy 36 foot 
monohull, I have made passages in the same conditions in less time, due 
to the fact that I can push the boat harder without beating myself or 
the boat up.  Everything says the multihull should be much faster than 
my heavy monohull, yet I know offshore, the reverse is true.

Something to think about. 

Cheers, Paul

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