In life of boats John H. does a nice write up on the evolution of the CLC Sailrig and covered a lot of the things people would seek of the craft and generally - the content of the title of this post.  I recall quite clearly my interest - even zeal, for this 20 knot sailrig. It didnt help either that Chris K. the founder of CLC estimated 20 knots in a craft called the Trika ( not up be confused with the YouTube vids of a different craft altogether).  It had a windsurfers sail on a large double seating kayak and one of the most beautiful aka/ama  configs Ive ever seen - however impractical.   In reality Chris never hit 20 knots that day - or 18 for that matter. Still, the seed for that screaming speed was planted. If the Trika can hit 20 - so can my sailrig - or darn close - so I surmised.  This was circa 1997.  Now its a different take all together.

 

You can keep twenty knots.  The fact is - in ANY multihull sail craft that can reach it - the amount of water sprayed into the air from the hull impacting waves is nuts.  Even on a catamaran - at 20 knots the spray cloud can be so huge it towers over the sailors hiking out on the flying ama. Imagine if these same folks were sitting with there butts 4" below the waterline.     In the realm of the imagination where a strong wind is blowing across a millpond - this high speed can actually work.  In the real world wind/wave conditions its prescription for excessive bow froth and face stinging spray you wish you had a divers mask and snorkel for.  It'd be a thrill to do that speed - briefly.  I know a fella whose got 265 sq ft of sail on a Hobie tandem island (reinforced) and he's hit 18-20 knots. With enough sail area even the MKI sailrig can hit 20 with proper and extensive reinforcing. But for that matter so could a floating log if it was rigged enough.  The point is though - whats the point?

 

Speeds in my sailrig have shown me the light and my 20 knot fantasies are a thing of the past.  I much prefer to sail OVER waves than drill a hole through them. I find anything over 3.5 knots and I call it underway - not fast but respectable.  At 5 knots the fun starts - most people would find this speed gives a fine sense if travel and sense of accomplishment for the effort.  Great distances at this speed is sublime. Over 6 knots and it starts to get wet and sloppy but not at all out of hand .  Beyond 8 knots and its thrilling but not exactly relaxing.  Not in a bad way at all but there's a lot happening now pretty quick. Its wet to be sure but not abusive . Beyond this point?   I don't know - haven't done it - yet. But all the same Im no longer hellbent on it either.  I've come to see the comfort of swift smooth travel over fast frothy and wet.  I'm not so sure Id want to tack on too many miles with face stinging spray and so much submarining.

 

frankly I don't think Id opt for 20 knots at half the price!

 

just my 2 cents

 

Pete