Efficiency & Marketability

Larry
<
I don't imagine myself, with this ramble, to be telling most members
of this group anything they don't know, ...only to be speaking out
for more consistent balance in appraisal,... for recognition and
keeping-in-mind of the fact that efficiency, as measured by
speed-for-effort, is simply one-of, not THE consideration when
judging a proposed design, ...unless the activity-scope is narrowed
to racing.
 >

I do not disagree with what you have to say.  I have both cat and  
mono.  Horses for courses.

Not sure if you read Pete's web site.  It is directed at efficiency  
in the narrower sense of speed for power.

The comment on the Rocat is based on posts from Christopher Laughton  
some time ago.  I believe it is not widely known that catamarans  
suffer a 40% power disadvantage. I also have read a race report from  
a Rocat owner that indicated he was not initially aware he would be  
giving away so much to a monohull.  His expectations were not met.

All Hobie do is prove they have high bollard pull and they have used  
this as a real selling point.  Most owners are recreational users  
just out for time on the water.  On the other hand I have seen Hobie  
owners bitterly disappointed when they have been racing against  
conventional paddled canoes.

My wife just loved Mike Lampi's Nauticraft.  She has never tried one  
of my boats.  I have a good understanding there are horses for  
courses.   On the other hand I was not interested in trying the  
Nauticraft as I had the use of the Cadence.  I will put up with the  
twitchiness for the ability to hit 10+mph.

I was simply stating facts about efficiency with respect to hulls and  
propulsion systems.  Not saying any particular system is ideal to the  
exclusion of others.

Rick Willoughby