"Bob Engelhardt" wrote in message
...
On 7/6/2015 7:43 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:
... The skipper of an ocean racer
needed rear view mirrors in case he was being overtaken by a faster
US
nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

That would be a great video: a long helicopter shot of this sleek
racer slicing through the water; zoom in on the racer to see its
on-the-edge trim, its heel, and the spray coming over as it sizzles
along; the essence of speed. From on-board the racer pan over to
the discernible shape of an approaching aircraft carrier. Stay on
the carrier as it nears the racer, growing larger and larger until
it fills the frame, dwarfing the racer as it passes. Then back to
the chopper for the opening view, but with the carrier pulling away
and the racer looking puny. I love it.

Bob

IIRC the racer couldn't go as fast as the carrier in heavy seas
because he would become airborne off wave crests.

A carrier's theoretical hull speed is somewhat over 40 knots.
1.34 * SQRT(1000) = 42.37

-jsw