Are you an adrenaline-seeking sailor? Well, it’s totally comprehensible! The pleasure and satisfaction that speed offers you are unrivaled. Nothing can stimulate you more than the feeling of running on the water. In this article, we’re going to examine the average speed of a sailboat as well as how fast it can go. In order to do this, you should primarily think about the types of activities that you’ll be using your sailboat for. Your sailboat always meets a certain level of expectations when it comes to the type of activities and speed on the water. Above all, there are certain factors that influence the speed of your sailboat. So, don’t speed up now, until you read this article!

Length and Size of The Sailboat

Firstly, let’s examine the connection between your sailboat’s size and its length. In general, the length and power that make a vessel function are affecting the ability of a sailboat to go fast. When sailboats move through the water they create waves. These waves are situated along the side of the sailboat and cause a trough at the stern, as well as a ridge of water at the bow. So, if the length of the waves is somehow equal to the length of the boat, then this causes a huge ridge that impels the sailboat back into its trough. Therefore, this causes the sailboat to collide with a dense wall of water resistance.

So this movement lifts the bow of the sailboat out of the water and speeds up the sailboat. Thus it can overcome the resistance that the waves create. According to the physics law, the longer a sailboat is it will move faster. This is due to the fact that creates longer waves across its hull. On the contrary, shorter sailboats will create shorter waves. In general, sailboats travel according to the speed that waves create.

How Can You Measure a Sailboat’s Speed?

The nautical measurement of speed is the knot. The knot measurement is dependent on the circumference of the Earth. As stated by the World Sailing Speed Record Council, one knot is equal to 1.15 mph. In other words, if your sailboat is traveling at an average speed of 1 nautical mile per hour, it’s cruising at a speed of 1 knot. Modern-day sailboats have GPS tracking devices. These devices can measure the speed of a sailboat as well as the distance that covers.

Efficiency of the Hull

In general, hulls create the wave resistance that creates movement to the sailboat. For that reason, hulls should be carefully shaped and slim. So, a sailboat that has a fat tub-shaped hull will not be as fast as a sailboat with a slim hull. The ability of the hull to be faster depends on its buttock lines or aft. For example, if the straight line from the lowest point of the hull is connected to the transom, then the boat will move faster and will be more stable. So, keep in mind that the hull has an important role in slicing the water and for preventing it to be pushed aside and down.

Are Catamarans Faster Than Monohulls?

Cruising on a catamaran or trimaran is much faster than cruising on a monohull, approximately by 25%. Catamaran sailboats cruise at a speed of 9 to 10 knots. Cats and trimarans are located on top of the water and that’s why they displace a lot of water and thus go faster. Moreover, a catamaran hull is more comfortable to sail on and can also achieve speeds of a racing monohull. However, cats and trimarans have a disadvantage. Their hull is more sensitive to loading and their performances will be decreased when you load them. So, try to keep them as light as possible when sailing.

And, What About Monohulls?

Monohull Sailboats can cruise at a speed of 6 to 8 knots. In general, most sailboats are designed with monohulls. The monohulls placement is designed to split through the water. This provides stability and can easily slice the water.

The Wind

The wind is definitely a source of propulsion for sailboats. The wind fills up the sails and creates movement to the sailboat. Both apparent and true winds can be of great importance in moving the sailboat. True wind is basically the type of wind you feel when you don’t move. True wind is what pushes a sailboat. Furthermore, strong winds move a sailboat faster than calm winds. This is because of the wind’s direction which alters the speed.

Can I Make my Sailboat go Faster?

Yes, of course, you can improve the speed of your sailboat. In order to do that, make sure that your sailboat is designed to attain high-speed levels. In addition, you have to maintain your sailboat regularly so that it can be able to cruise at maximum speed. Ensure that the hull of your sailboat can hold tension and that its foils are cleaned. Also, don’t forget to tighten the masts and always keep sails in good condition.

Other factors that affect the speed of the sailboat are the techniques you use on your sailboat, the weight, and the adjusted settings. If you’re a skillful sailor then remember that trimming and steering can increase your boat’s speed. Also, it is important to primarily take upwind control. Moreover, you should know how to handle the jibs and genoas. As for the weight of your sailboat, it is recommended to keep your boat as light as possible. To sum up, there are various types of settings that can increase the speed of your sailboat. For example, the mast step position, the vang and shroud tension, as well as the jib car position. All these have to be properly adjusted in order to attain high speed.

Summary – How Fast Can Sailboats Go?

The highest speed of a sailboat depends on different factors, such as its size and purpose. For instance, racing sailboats are intentionally designed to reach maximum speeds. On the contrary, cumbersome and large sailboats may be slower due to friction and drag that cause. So, let’s get to the point, what’s the average speed of a sailboat? The average speed of a sailboat varies between 4 knots to 15 knots but this depends on the type and size of the sailboat, as well as on other factors mentioned before. The average speed of cruising sailboats is 4-6 knots (4.5-7 mph) and can attain a top speed of 7 knots (8 mph). On the other hand, racing sailboats cruise at a speed of 15 knots (17 mph).

Basically, the average speed of sailboats is 8 knots. However, there are several factors that affect the speed such as the waves, wind conditions, and the type of hull. So, in order to attain the desired speed, keep that in mind and you and your sailboat will reach the wind!