How quick is your top hat?

[brendan.lyon]

17 knots sounds far fetched! You could just about ski behind it @ that speed -

I've had mine to 8.5 kts according to the GPS - but that was running before a very strong northerly on the way back from Sydney Harbour a few days after new years - with a largeish swell pushing us along. Far too much sail up, far too inexperienced - but other than a broken hand on a crew mate, far too much fun! To the crew mates great credit, he kept fetching refreshments, in spite of his obvious discomfort.

Althought they're a heavy little boat (and not great performers in club racing) they're a solid option off the coast!

[Dolphin]

I agree Brendan,
I raced Felcite in 92/93 and in one race we had a kite up in about a 20kt Noreaster coming into Botany Bay. There was a bow wave as high as the gunwhale and white water from the quarters. Crews coming the other way said they could see the keel. It was doing just shy of 8 kts, I was too scared to look. We won the Commodores Cup for the RMYC, against Cronulla SC by doing the race. In a performance handicap system they are competitive as it is the improvement of each individual yacht. In summer we used to do good, we were slower, were out longer and usually finished in a stronger breeze. In winter some times we didn't finish and got a DNF because the wind died or it got dark.
I raced on the harbour in a MK I "Kalinda" with Sydney Amatuers and Reg said he sailed it hard until the gunwhale hit the water. At that point he said the hull is like a spoon and skates over the water. If you push it further and the stantions are in the water it slows you down.
Greg.
Felicite.
Mk III