For an efficient displacement hull 30 % more drive (thrust) is needed. With the higher speed this means that 52 % higher energy input (=more horsepower) is needed. For a sailcraft this also means major improvements in the rig efficiency as the rig needs to harvest 52 % more energy from the same conditions BEFORE it can be translated into higher speed. A significant portion of the initial energy harvesting goes into kinetic energy of the craft; ergo into accellerating the craft to a high speed. This is why Macquarie Innovation needs a long track where it can pick up speed before it enters the measurement track of 500 meters.

You don't just hit 40 knots in a gust guys; you take a long time getting there.

I know some of you think :"Well it is only a short hop from 36 knots to 40 knots, how hard can it be ?"

Well, just find 50 % extra efficiency somewhere and your in.

That is not too much to ask, right ?

Wouter