Beyond Hull Speed

CC23

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May 6, 2015
3
Hunter 23 Colonial Beach
Momentarily hit 8.9 knots on my H23 Friday. I was really surprised as this is the fastest I ever sailed it. Consistently above 8 knots in a 20 knot breeze on smooth water. 7 knots upwind! Had full main up with a big genny. I kept the sails flat as possible with the boom trimmed to the center. Is this typical for this boat?
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
However you are measuring your speed, it must be off. If via GPS, maybe current or tides factor. If via a speedo, you may need calibration. Your boat would have to be planing to do 7 knots upwind, and that's not possible in an H23, or in most boats for that matter.

Many devices will report 'bumps' in max speed that are not indicative of a actual max speed sustained for several (5-10) seconds.
 
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May 1, 2011
5,308
Pearson 37 Lusby MD
The GPS will show an instantaneous speed over the ground - definitely not sustained. I've had cases where this speed is 9 or 10 kts, usually happens when I tack the boat. I've also had sustained SOG on the order of 7kts, but that is not the same as speed through the water.
 
Nov 6, 2006
10,162
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Running in a 4 knot current?
My Garmin GPS in the PT Cruiser will occasionally read 140 mph as it catches up on or switches satellites.. Pretty sure it lies to me !
 

pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
You must also take current into account. A 5 knot current will make your speed via GPS look ridiculous.
 
Dec 1, 2007
74
-Hunter -23 Kenora, Ontario, Canada
A good way to check is look back and see if there is a "rooster tail" behind the boat. I've only done it once; racing on a broad reach, way over sailed, and a gust of wind hit me. It lasted about 5 seconds, you should have seen the look on the J24 I blew past. (He went on to beat me, of course).
-Chris
 

CC23

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May 6, 2015
3
Hunter 23 Colonial Beach
Knotmeter needs calibration

I did a longer distance test comparing the knotmeter to the actual time and distance at slack tide. The knotmeter is definitely off and the actual speed while reading 6.5 knots was more like 5. It's a Raymarine ST40 bidata. I will have to learn how to calibrate. Right not it's fouled with marine growth anyway. Thanks for your help.
 
Sep 9, 2014
30
Hunter 26.5 26.5 North Bay
A j24 is one of the few older keel boats that can plane- but only downwind with the Spinnaker up and a 20 knot wind. I've had mine over 10 knots a few times. It's an amazing feeling as the whole boat just lifts and vibrates to the wind and water.
Haven't had the Shute up on my hunter 26.5 yet, hoping to get some lift, but probably not.