Does it have to go underwater to be fast? - Not an artist's conception

[Guest]

http://www.news.navy.mil/management/photodb/webphoto/web_031104-N-0000S-001.jpg


Steve

[jim kerswell]

For those interested in more

For those interested in more information]http://www.incat.com.au/defence_fs.html[/url]

[robse]

Hi..

I live on one of

[color=#000000]Hi..

I live on one of the islands of which Denmark consists. One of these two-hulled ferries sails back and forth, holding up to 1.000 passengers, their cars, double deck'ed busses, and a load of luggage. STILL it goes about 40 knots! Each turbine pumps 15.000 liters of water every second, and the result is a *huge* wave trailing the ship.
It's a blast standing on deck when it's warm enough, but surely not that fun when the waves exceed app. 10 ft.
In short]

[feet wet]

Hi,
Here in Maine one

Hi,
Here in Maine one of these Cats runs as a ferry between Bar Harbor and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. While these do peak out at about 45 knots, they average about 30.And yes they are a blast to ride on a calm day, but watch out if there is more than a 4 foot sea. Cats tend to pitch and roll very suddenly, some might call it a snap roll, combined it can lead to a cork screw motion that can make the most experienced turn green. These boats are also rather fragile. With a hull of 1/16 high tensile aluminum, they can be holed fairly easily. Our's holed herself when she torn her stabilizing foil off in a "small" sea. Repaired herself with concrete by filling the compartment.