> The theoretical speed (in knots)of any displacement hull type of boat is
> about 1.4 * (LWL)^.5 or said in english: 1.4 times the square root of the
> water line length. So, if the CLC 17 has a 15 ft waterline (i'm guessing)
> take the square root which equals 3.8 knots (nautical miles per hour)
> Multiple that by 1.4 adn you get 5.4 knots. This is as fast as you will
> ever go - unless you can surf down a wave. It is just impossible for the
> hull to push through the water any faster no matter how much energy you
> apply.

Hull speed is not an insurmountable speed limit. Long narrow boats can often be propelled beyond hull speed. Planing boats all exceed hull speed. Instead hull speed tells you when the waves produced by the hull have the same length as the hull. In most cases this will mean the boat becomes much harder to propel any faster.