Motorboats - Speed is relative

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So for those with sails, 6 knots is exciting, and they would categorise my Sealine as being as speed merchant.
But 22kts is a pleasant speed to watch the scenery scroll past whilst retaining some hope of making it to the destination before the restaurant closes.

If we were really interested in speed, we would buy boats more like this:
Scroll to 8mins or so to see Steve Curtis hit 165mph in a leisure boat.

 
Maurizio gets over excited. Would anyone do that sort of speed in the Solent on a summers day.

I know that the Cowes Torquay has been won before with an average top speed just under 100mph.
 
I've had 5 motor boats all capable of over 30 knots and, apart from the occasional burst, pottered around at 10 knots or less. Apart from the bouncing around the racket from turbos and superchargers on a couple of them at speed made them very unpleasant. Open boats aren't much use if the weather is bad and closed boats noisy, the worst being a Beneteau GT38 on which we had to shout at anything over 10 knots when everything cut in. Now I've got a Swift Trawler 34 (avatar) which is comfortable, enough room for two, all mod cons, shaft drive, a comfy cockpit for the evening G & T and bow and stern thrusters for docking. It will do 22 knots, clean, but we much prefer 8 knots. And we can shut the doors and use it in the winter. For us the perfect boat. Our 4th boat since moving here 5 years ago - we brought one with us - but this one's a keeper. Recommended.
 
Impressive speed, and impressive engineering, but kind of pointless unless your priority is to get from point a to point b as quickly as possible. It doesn't do anything else, but go as fast as possible from a to b.

All boats are a compromise in one way or another, but that seriously compromises all other aspects in pursuit of speed.

Would love to have a go in one though,it looks fun.
 
Fast boats are FUN, my Hunton although 20 years old still has a top speed of 46 -48 Knots, We usually cruise in the high 30's

Its the wind in the hair the sense of freedom, We can get to places much quicker and enjoy longer at the destination.
No PC plod with a speed camera lurking in the bushes trying to catch you speeding in your car,

Would I like a slower boat ?? NO.
 
So I can see the point of a Hunton or Axopar.
Wind in your hair at 45kts must be good.

But that Outer Limits boat cockpit is fully enclosed.

Stick your head outside at 165mph and your ears would fall off.
 
We used to do the safety boats for Guernsey powerboat races. The cats were impressive with twin v12 lambos, unexhuasted and race tuned.
One of the drivers described a race as an orgasm lasting 45 mins.
Dont even have cup holders though
 
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