Average sailing speed on your boat?

[chuckhughes]

Just out of curiosity, what's a typical sailing speed you get out of your boats?  I know it all depends on weather, sea conditions, point of sail, etc., but assuming a reasonably strong breeze (short of reefing), relatively calm seas, a close reach, how fast are you going?  

I find I'm usually in the neighborhood of 6.5 - 6.8 knots. I very rarely approach theoretical hull speed, which I understand is 7.3 knots.  (I don't know what the typical wind speed is for me because I don't have a wind speed indicator)

Thanks for the info.

[Hull#753]

I average in the high 5's going over, unless I close-haul it, then I can get something over 6.

When it's really nasty (windy) & I'm heading for the Isthmus I can closehaul in the low 7's, 1st reef, but it's not much fun for a single hander - too much weather helm.

Coming back is almost always mid 5's - low 6's & almost always a form of running.

All of the above figures include towing the 9.5 inflatable w/ 5hp outbrd up & out, and are GPS measured speeds exclusively.

By the way, the BLUE MOON is the fastest standard-rigged, oldschool C34 ever made.  OldSchool = OEM teak grabrails

Period.

John

[kenkillian]

Chuck,

We usually are in the upper 5's, but I just put a new bottom paint on this spring and we are now in the 6.3 to 6.5 (GPS).  The new bottom paint has really helped us.

[amazer]

We have a fresh coat of bottom paint and a few weeks ago motor sailed  up the Pamlico River on our way back from Ocrakoke.  We hit a frontal system with 30 knot winds and made max speeds of 8.2 knots (GPS)with our mainsail up and motor at 1600 rpm. We probably averaged over 6 knots.

[Larry Calfee]

I agree with the previous replies.  I do not consider myself a racer but sort of a laid back cruiser.  We sail San Francisco bay where we can get some good wind.  We have touched 8 knots (briefly) in a close haul and have done 7.2 running with main alone.  Both are not typical.  We usually are sailing at 5 to 6.5 knots and occasionally delight in reaching or exceeding 7.3 with full main and 100% jib.  We have only had the boat for 1 1/2 years but have really enjoyed her.  She is a stiff solid boat, comfortable to sail even in the stiff breezes we get here on SF bay.

[sailor2mon]

I sail the Gulf of Mexico regularly wih my 34 #616. Enchante' is a tall rig/wing keel and I have hit some 8kt speeds GPS, (correcting for current with Knot log)to achieve actual speed)

[Spirit]

We just purchased the boat and brought it down the ICW according to the GPS. Type is Garmin GPS III plus (assume some current) Trip 65.5 miles - Avg. speed 6.1 - time 10:47 Hrs/Min - Max 8.6
Under Power

[Ed Shankle]

How about engine speed? I only get about 5kts (GPS) at 2400 rpm's. And if it gets choppy, it drops right off.

[kenkillian]

At 2400 Rpm's I think you should do a little better - at least 1/2 knot better.  How is your bottom or prop?  I picked up at least a 1/2 knot sailing and under power after new bottom paint.

[Ed Shankle]

I use Micron CSC ablative bottom paint. The latest version has a biocide which so far seems to be helping to keep the slim down.
3 blade prop repitched last year to 10. Polished and coated with clear lower unit antifouling paint this year. New stainless shaft and cutlass bearing this year.

Tail Wind #866