Average speeds

[Elandra]

Hi all. Im still in the process of fixing and sorting all the issues on my recently purchased Investigator 563 also called Investigator. However in the mean time i have been considering passage planning and would like to know what average speeds people get out of their boats. Say in a true wind speed of 15 knots and a moderate sea. The maximum distance i can reasonably attain in daylight hours will obviously dictate my destinations. I understand the displacement speed is about 5.4 knots but what is realistic?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Regards Andrew

[Ozzie]

Hi Andrew. I’m sure there will be experienced passage makers come on board with your post soon but all I can add is I’ve had Spritzig II at five knots plus comfortably in good winds, minimal waves and ideal conditions . That was according to my car GPS.

This was with new antifoul at the start of the season, so a clean bum. As time goes on between haulouts she slows down. Considerably. If I were considering passage making and had a non anti fouled hull I think polishing it beforehand would give you a small edge over a distance. Works when I do my kayak.

[Raya]

Andrew, my boat makes between 4 and 5 knots when the breeze is up. Your planning problem is calculating distance made good as this depends mostly on the direction of the wind. When tacking, you sail at a good rate of knots but not make a lot of headway.
Have fun on the water.
Ray

[Elandra]

Thanks Ozzie and Ray for getting back to me. Think I'll base my planning on 4 knots.

regards

Andrew