Thanks Mike.

I searched, as you recommended, and found some references. The only real practically arrived at number was 24.6 mph (which is 21.4 knots), posted back in 12/02. This fellow measured using a GPS. I'm going to take this as a "minimum maximum speed", for now.

I'm a brand new sailor. Knowing the limits of the craft gives me something to assess my own progress against. Not that I intend to set any speed records, but it just puts my own performance in perspective.

I bought a SpeedMaster trailing impellor knotmeter. It seems to work well. I clocked 12.8 knots Monday in moderate winds. Even that modest speed was lots of fun for me. I can't wait to get out in some stronger winds. (I'll probably dump us, but I'm sure it'll be great while were flying.)