>
> The recent race ("The Race") around the world during the millen.
> celebrations had a catamaran managing 1125km for 24 hours
> (about 28-30knot average).
> The old clipper ships of the 1800's could manage just
> over half that for their 24 hour bursts (approx600km). I can
certainly
> imagine that, with some god of the sea and/or winds on your side,
and
> with magical boosting, that 300+km/day "is" (Glorantha) possible.
>
> Note that Club Med - the catamaran - is 110ft long, 56ft wide and
has
> a mast that's 136ft high!
>
> Robert
> PS. I think trying to do this in a viking longship would
be "impossible"
> It requires much better sails, higher masts, etc. Perhaps the
> "longship" terminology needs Gregging ;-)
Note that the "hull speed" of a boat (the maximum speed it can go
before it gets stopped by having to climb up its own bow wave) is a
function of its hull length. I forget the precise relationship, but
the longer, the faster. To exceed that speed you need to "plane"
like power boats do. I doubt any Gloranthan ships are built to
plane, so issues of wind strength, hull quality, etc aside, there is
a maximum speed set by the length of the hull **. This is why those
giant, clunky looking, cruise ships can actually move along
surprisingly quickly.
- That is, leaving aside issue like being carried on the back of a
giant whale, having your whole ship picked up and carried by a storm,
slipping into the godplanes and riding the primal water currents as
they invade land, finding a magical high speed current to ride (hull
speed is your speed compared to the water, add or subtract the effect
of current), the magical ability to plane along the top of the water,
or other super magical effects. (normal magic effects like summoning
a tail wind or enhancing your boats efficiency would mostly just let
you approach your hull speed and not have to tack back and forth, I
think. To exceed hull speed you need BIG mojo).
Regards;
Bryan