Hi from a newbie. Well, newbie to the forums, not to sailing. I've been sailing on the Chesapeake Bay since I was 6 years old, first out of Annapolis, now out of Norfolk. Anyway, here's the deal... Due to the sailing conditions down here, you end up spending quite a bit of time under the iron genny. So, I'm looking for a nice sailboat that powers really well. I'm hoping for decent/good sailing plus a cruise speed under power of 10+ knots and a top end above 12 knots. A MacGregor 26x/m is NOT what I want. I want a high quality boat and have a budget of around $125,000. So, are my desires a pipe dream? I was thinking that a cat might fit this bill, but which one? Any other boats able to power at 10+ knots? Thoughts?
Sailbaot that powers fast?
- Thread starter Dave On The Bay
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Hull Speed
Hello Dave, Most monohull sailboats of a size you'd want to cruise on in the Bay have so-called displacement hulls. Their speed except under very unusual conditions is limited to a multiple of their waterline length. Waterline length is different from length overall which is the length used to describe a boat (e.g a Hunter 35 has a length overall of 35 feet but a waterline length that will probably be 3 or 4 feet shorter than that. The speed limitation for a displacement boat is called hull speed and is approximately 1.32 times the square root of the waterline length. In practical terms the limit under power of a displacement hull sailboat in the length overall range of 35-40 feet will be plus or minus 7.5 knots. McGregors can go so fast because they have water ballast which can be pumped out. However, they have other limitations. I'm personally not fond of multihulls but you may want to look there if you feel strongly about the need to power at high speeds. I'm not sure how fast they can cruise under power. Hope this helps. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
Hello Dave, Most monohull sailboats of a size you'd want to cruise on in the Bay have so-called displacement hulls. Their speed except under very unusual conditions is limited to a multiple of their waterline length. Waterline length is different from length overall which is the length used to describe a boat (e.g a Hunter 35 has a length overall of 35 feet but a waterline length that will probably be 3 or 4 feet shorter than that. The speed limitation for a displacement boat is called hull speed and is approximately 1.32 times the square root of the waterline length. In practical terms the limit under power of a displacement hull sailboat in the length overall range of 35-40 feet will be plus or minus 7.5 knots. McGregors can go so fast because they have water ballast which can be pumped out. However, they have other limitations. I'm personally not fond of multihulls but you may want to look there if you feel strongly about the need to power at high speeds. I'm not sure how fast they can cruise under power. Hope this helps. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
Annapolis Boat Show
Dave, This year at the annapolis boat show, there were sailboats that advertised a 10+ motoring speed. I don't recall sizes, prices, or makers, but it could be a start for your search.
Dave, This year at the annapolis boat show, there were sailboats that advertised a 10+ motoring speed. I don't recall sizes, prices, or makers, but it could be a start for your search.
Lancer PowerSailors
Follow the link to a site devoted to Lancer sailboats. They had a PowerSailor line in 29, 39, 44, 60 and 70 foot lengths. They were pretty well-built and had quality gear. Go to 'Resources' to see specifications. There is also a sales area and there is a 39 for sale that looks pretty decent. The hull form is flat and wide aft and the keels and rudders are a bit on the small side to reduce powering drag. The hull form is essentially similar to the semi-planing fast trawler types popular today. What you give up is some responsiveness under sail owing to the smallish rudder/keel, lots of light wind speed due to the large (sometimes multiple) prop(s), shaft and strut. Also the flat aft run and wetted area add drag too. IMHO, feathering prop(s) are a must. Also, know your fuel consumption will spike pretty good when you get over hull speed. Good luck on your decision. Rick D.
Follow the link to a site devoted to Lancer sailboats. They had a PowerSailor line in 29, 39, 44, 60 and 70 foot lengths. They were pretty well-built and had quality gear. Go to 'Resources' to see specifications. There is also a sales area and there is a 39 for sale that looks pretty decent. The hull form is flat and wide aft and the keels and rudders are a bit on the small side to reduce powering drag. The hull form is essentially similar to the semi-planing fast trawler types popular today. What you give up is some responsiveness under sail owing to the smallish rudder/keel, lots of light wind speed due to the large (sometimes multiple) prop(s), shaft and strut. Also the flat aft run and wetted area add drag too. IMHO, feathering prop(s) are a must. Also, know your fuel consumption will spike pretty good when you get over hull speed. Good luck on your decision. Rick D.
The new
Shannon 35' shoalsailer will go ten knots on two diesel engines. Cost is $325,000 or so. I had a Mac 26M and looked far and wide for a larger replacement that would retain the fast speed but would cost maybe $100K or so. Only thing that came close was the Telstar 28 trimaran, which does not have a very large cabin. If you don't need the space check out the other tri's on the market.
Shannon 35' shoalsailer will go ten knots on two diesel engines. Cost is $325,000 or so. I had a Mac 26M and looked far and wide for a larger replacement that would retain the fast speed but would cost maybe $100K or so. Only thing that came close was the Telstar 28 trimaran, which does not have a very large cabin. If you don't need the space check out the other tri's on the market.
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