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My rule of thumb is 51% of wind speed.

DaveC426913 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2024 3:32 pm
I thought it wasn't unreasonable to be doing 3 knots in a 4 knot wind.

Has anyone done one of these for our boats?

It really depends on the wind speed and very much on the point of sail but you won't be too surprised (or disappointed) with a 51% estimate most of the time in moderate conditions. It's a good rule-of-thumb for a rough estimate.

It's most accurate when there is not much of an upwind component to your course. We really don't sail to windward very fast in higher winds. I recall one time crossing Lake George (the other big lake in Florida) with around 30 knots on the nose. I was heeled around 40 degrees and barely making headway.

On the other hand we do surprisingly well with the wind behind us. With a genoa or (dare I say it) a spinnaker we can be downright impressive!

I do pretty well sailing to windward, it's my favorite point of sail, that and a beam reach.

You'll get no argument from me. Running is too hot in the summer and too boring year-round. No one will ever accuse me of being a "gentleman". I prefer sailing to windward.

Yeah, I forget the AC aspect of sailing to windward, love the breeze

Be Free wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 7:42 am You'll get no argument from me. Running is too hot in the summer and too boring year-round. No one will ever accuse me of being a "gentleman". I prefer sailing to windward.