The huge difference between the best and the worst

[petem]

November's MBY looked at the Princess V42 and compared it to the competition.....

Princess V42 - 41ft 5in - 38knots with KAD300's
Gobbi 425SC - 42ft 5in - 34knots with KAD300's.

Now you might think the above is a sizeable difference. Think again. How about the following.....

Fairline Targa 30 - 31ft 2in - 38knots with KAD32's
BMB 29 Sport - 30ft 5in - 28knots with KAD32's

YES, a massive 10 knots slower. Beat that then!

 

[tcm]

are these true figures?

The light and perfectly-formed testing chap jumps on a new boat which has no weed, not much water and not much fuel, no kit and possibly not much anchor chain, blasts around. Then I get hold of a real boat and the flippin thing goes five knots slower....

 

[petem]

Re: are these true figures?

I used to get 38 knots out of mine with a clean arse, measured on the GPS at slack water. Interesting the pre-launch Fairline advertising played heavily on the 'Life Begins at 40 (knots)' theme but they revised their claim downwards post launch. I have taken the BMB figures from MBY December 2002.

 

[BrendanS]

Re: are these true figures?

Think I've been spoilt for future upgrades.

Doesn't matter whether it's just me aboard for a quick evening spin, or 4 up with tons of gear fully laden for a weekend away with full fuel tank. GPS says it does 44knts top whack no matter what.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I agree with tcm. These figures need to be taken with a large pinch of salt. There are so many variables that affect speed...weight, weight distribution, fouling, air temperature, water salinity, engine/drive condition, fuel condition, hull design, trim tab and drive position and so on. Also, I would'nt believe manufacturers stated weights either; you dont know whether its a measured or estimated weight, full of fluids or not
Just because a boat is tested to be slower than its competitors might not be a bad thing anyway. A very fast boat might have a very flat bottom or a very flimsy lay up weight. A slower boat may have a deeper V hull or a more strongly built hull