Fastest dinghy?

Originally posted by Phil eltringham Its the go-kart effect, 10 knots+ on a topper with your bum on the surface feels a lot faster than in something with a lot of freeboard like a 200 or bigger still a yacht (having said that 10-15 knots feels pretty quick in most yachts beacuse you only get that surfing in a big breeze).

Having race karts (not gokarts) I can happily say that doing 80mph with your 'seat' about 2 inches off the floor does feel very very fast but not a huge amount more then 80mph in my car...

Now look at the formula karts (basically motorbike engines on a kart chassis) which are easily capable of 130mph plus (probably faster if pushed) and then you get speed sensation..

Also have to add that round a course (not just reaching) in an F6+ I can sail a Laser radial much faster than a full rig Laser (power an control I guess...)

For thos who have had the good fortune to have had some time with Adam Bowers just remember to arbitray 20 Unit theory, basically once you hit those 20 units it doesn't matter how much more wind you have you aint going to go any faster on a given point of sail.....

Just my 2p..

Paul

I think the feeling of speed in any sailboat is very relative to the conditions. I've seen 20 knots on a gps sailing a J-80 in 30knots+, theres just so much water flying around in those conditions that it feels like your going way faster, but then I've seen 15 on a gps sailing a tornado in somthing around 7knots true and been amazed that the boat was going that quick. If the boat feels like its really being pushed in waves and high winds it will feel like its going fast, even though in flat water and a bit less wind the boat will feel slower but quite possibly going faster.

Exactly, at 25mph your not pushing the car, say at 120 (depending on the car) you are pushing it and it feels really fast!

You managed to push your Lada to 30 - you must have a good pair of running shoes!!

What's with the helmets??