Speed restraints and potential
Ahh, the laws of design. Benny is right to point out that there are design limits of bigger full keel boats vs "smaller lighter" shapes. My point and the orig question was regarding the potential of the portly, wide flat bottom 26/260 which (very)remotely resembles the faster, flatter stern section, hull shapes of the Open 30/40/50/60 designs. While I don't expect to be skipping along at 30+kts, with a little attention to weight distribution, drag and max sail area some hull designs will perform beyond a generalized rule. In the mean time I can usually gain 1.5kts+ over the "general design law" for a brief sprint in flat water(without a current or even surfing). Light air is a whole other story in which I get spanked often due to my attention drifting when boat speed reduces to under 3kts. *zzz too peaceful to be uptight.All for fun, Michael