Note: Planing hulls (like motorboats) can "break" this limit by lifting themselves out of the water, greatly reducing drag.
Overview
Boat speed is measured in knots (nautical miles per hour). Hull speed is the theoretical maximum for displacement hulls. Understanding boat speed helps with trip planning, fuel estimation, and navigation.
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Pro Tips
The longer the boat, the higher its hull speed.
Going faster than hull speed in a displacement boat requires a massive increase in power for very little gain.
Fun Fact
Did you know? Large container ships have bulbous bows to create their own wave system that cancels out the bow wave, improving efficiency!
