A single-hull yacht of the same size as the F50 has a hull speed of around 12 mph, but it can be reduced to overcome frictional and wave-making drag. The top speed of a sailboat will vary based on its size and purpose, with high-end racing sailboats designed to reach maximum speeds while larger. Go-fast boats can exceed 100 MPH, while luxury sport cruisers and big center consoles may be considered high performance vessels.
Racing sailboats typically reach speeds of around 10-20 knots (12-23 mph). The exact speed of a sailboat depends on the type of boat, water conditions, and wind conditions. Most sailboats go as fast as 7 knots (8mph), but racing sailboats can easily go 15 to 20 knots (17 to 23 mph). Record holders like Paul Larsen’s Vestas can go much faster.
For comparison, the average speed of a traditional sailboat is only around 5 to 8 knots. Some custom-designed boats can reach record-breaking speeds of up to 50 or more knots. For a cruising monohull, 6-8 knots is about average for max speed. If you’re looking to go faster under sail, you’d be looking at dinghys or dinghys.
The British team hit a record 53.05 knots (61.05 m.p.h.) during practice last summer. Compared to traditional boats, what is striking in a racing sailboat is the apparent wind angle, which would be 45° off the bow and the apparent wind speed would be. The outright speed record remains pegged at 65, but several efforts are underway to take it much higher.
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