I have been considering what kind of bottom paint to use in the future and it seems that most racers have a very hard/smooth/burnished bottom on their boats. So, I was wondering if there is data to support that this is important. One reason for asking is that in addition to being a sailor, I am also a cyclist. A few years ago, the hypothesis that was accepted by all cyclists, including pro teams, was that thin, high pressure tires were the fastest. Then someone actually did the experimental science, and found that wider, lower pressure tires were actually as fast or faster. Counterintuitive, but data trumps intuition, and that is why we should test obvious and intuitive assumptions. So my question is, has anyone seen actual experimental data on comparing different smoothnesses and type of bottom paint vs. boat speed under controlled conditions? Thanks- Dave
S/V Aries 1990 C&C 34+ New London, CT
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