Hello back! Now that racing season is in full swing, my boat and I managed first in class and shared first overall with a Flying Scott last Saturday...during that three-race "regatta", we had 10-20 kt breezes and a few lulls of no wind...our best speed upwind registered at 6.5 knots with a couple of 7 knot moments, thanks to watching the two boats ahead of me getting hit by a 25 knot burst and nearly layin' over-that puff happened to hit me at a close reach angle and we shot out ahead. I have hit 8 knots on a close reach with jib and main and wife and two kids for ballast, though (FYI my boat GPS is mounted on a bracket). Downwind, during the same race we hit eight knots dead-downwind on the gusts and kept a steady 6-6.5 knot run...very exciting!
I agree with GL on the top end boat speed. Hull speed for a daysailer is 5.4 knots...upwind. Of course, that speed can be exceeded, but one needs to have the right ballast to keep the boat at the right trim going upwind that fast; I found that bearing downwind just a tick can help push a DS1 over 6 knots in winds where close-hauled will get you 5-5/5 knots. All depends on the tactical situation when racing, of course; last week the wind gust came with a favourable shift for me, but I have been on the wrong end of a shift more times than I can count. If just out sailing for the fun of it, of course, it doesn't really matter
Cheers,
Mike
A crappy day sailing is better than a good one at home...
DS 1 #2313