Nothing stoopid here (except me)
A very reasonable question. Polar charts (or diagrams) are a graphic depiction, also given in table format, of expected speeds at a range of wind angles and wind speeds for given boat design.
These speeds are derived from one of the racing measurement formulas now in use-using a program called VPP (velocity prediction program). In this program, certain measured dimensions from the actual boat (or a sistership), such a Length, Beam, Width, LWL, etc. as well as rig and sail dimensions are entered, along with some flotation measurements to indicate weight, and the result is a very accurate speed prediction. Designers will use this formula to predict performance of a new design by entering the DESIGNED values for these specfic measurements, and get "pro-forma" Polars.
Cruisers can use them simply to get an idea of what they can expect from their boats-or to have an idea how well they are sailing at any given time. Racers WILL use them to tweak trim and weight placement (and sail selection) to get as close to the boats' potential as possible.
It is common to laminate these tables and tape them near the cockpit, so that will reasonably good instruments a sailor can see if he is close to the potential of the boat in a given condition.
If you have a design that has been around a while and raced, these records probably exist in the US Sailing Database, and may be purchased.
If you have a one-off design you would either have to ask the designer to prepare a pro-forma measurement, and produce the Polars (for a fee, of course), or have it actually measured by a designated measurer (also not free).
Currently the IMS and IRC are being used as the measurement rules under which boats are measured (meaning these rules spell out which measurements are to be taken and how), and these numbers fit into the VPP.
In years past, the IOR and MORC rules also could produce Polar charts-although not as accurately.
This is a somewhat basic explanation-I hope it helps!
Cheers,
S