Right behind Vestas sailrocket 2 is
Antoine Albeau is the fastest windsurfer in the world after posting a run at 53.27 knots in Namibia.
Apparently Namibia is faster.
40 years ago, when I was in high school, the world speed record was broken and held for years by a sailboard. For monohull sailing, I give it to the boats that look more and more like a sailboard. Just look at where the design trends have slowly been going. Flat bottom, hard chine, fin keels, no rocker. They ride on top of the water more than through it. I would go centerboard for the reasons stated by rgranger and to allow for better control over center of lateral resistance. No going fast of you have to compensate for poor balance with your rudder.
Cats have proven fast because they have less wetted surface and better righting moment. Their skinny hulls bend the water around them less, so less energy wasted on displacement.
I would go with wide and flat in a monohull to stay shallow and maintain better stability. The hard chine would equal skinny when heeling.
The biggest problem with this assessment is that Simon asks about all points of sail. That means every hull is going to have its deficits on one or more of those points compared to others. When running with the wind, low wetted surface is the champ, when reaching, good righting moment is called for, etc. There needs to be some calculation that accounts for time/distance spent at each tack.
The solid wing sail is very efficient and when running with the wind, a big shute can't be beat. Fortunately, both can exist on one rig.
The very best, most efficient sailboat, however, is a seaworthy, cruiser that isn't too deep to get into the best bays, is wide and stable at sea, has an easily adjustable sail plan and room to accomidate the supplies, captain, crew and guests without asking for too much sacrifice in comfort for ocean crossing.
- Will (Dragonfly)
