Lots of info on here!
I's say our average on Cinderella is in the 5-8kt range on pretty much all points of sail.
Before we left, on the flat, current free water of Lake Union, we pushed Cinderella very hard on a close reach and cruised at 8kts. She was squatting very hard, and we had water about 2-3 inches from coming over the stern rail. Our main was 19 years old and heavily raced, and we had a big blast reacher up front.
Now, our main is 20 years old, heavily raced, and cruised over 10k nm. I don't imagine performance is anywhere near what it was before we left, and I can't imagine what a new sail would feel like.
When she loads up to the 7-8kt range downwind at sea, she starts to dance. On the bigger waves she surfs for a bit, but never too long, and never much over 12kts. The windvane is fighting pretty hard to keep her on track.
I only ever push her that hard when the sun is up, I've had a beer or a puff and I'm having fun at the helm.
Usually I reef her down and sit between 6-7kts and the surfs are only to about 8 or 9ish kts. The windvane does all the work, and things are comfortable.
As far as the windward stuff goes, I cant remember a time when the water was flat and there wasn't any current... But usually we outrun all the other cruisers. Turns out even Tayana 50s can't hang with us when we have to harden the sheets. But realistically we can sail into the trades and Cinderella will sit between 5-6kts. Usually I depower her a bit otherwise the slamming off the back sides of the waves is gut wrenching.
-p
