by GreenLake » Wed Jun 28, 2017 4:02 pm
The DSII is a tad "slower" than the original DS1, a difference that you will notice only in a race, where fractions of a knot do matter. (Btw, a knot comes to about 1.15 mph). So, for non-racers there's really no difference in how fast a DSII or DS1 will sail.
That said, the hull speed (in knots) for a displacement boat of the size of the DS comes to 1.34 times it's waterline length in feet, or a bit over 5 knots. However, for light boats that are very beamy, that traditional formula underestimates the hull speed a bit, so I'd say up to around 6 knots is still displacement mode.
In the right conditions, the DS can plane, not upwind, but on a reach. That should let you get to even higher speeds. Also possible if you surf a wave going downwind. I've heard people talking of having reached 11 knots (or mph? never know what people set their GPS to).
For the conditions you report, I would have expected that you should be pushing closer to 6knots in the gusts. However, for the 10 kt winds 5 knots is what you'd expect. Next time you are out, try to get the boat on a plane in these conditions - if the gusts last long enough (and you can hike hard enough to not have to spill all by letting out your main) then you might be able to do that.
~ green ~ lake ~ ~