I think i finally figured out the IX boat appeal

[U-Bones]

Originally Posted by Kaleun

hi,

Same as today, US engines are not as efficient - a 4 or 5 litre engine built in the US today will produced as much horsepower as a European or Japenese designed 2 or 3 litre engine. A lot of US family cars have large engines and go just a fast as their European counterparts that use smaller engines as standard, because the cost of fuel in Europe is far more expensive. Also in Cars and WW2 subs i'm sure weight has something to do with the performance difference - US subs and Cars are/were heavier!!

Kaleun

Another factor - you can throw 100* the horsepower on a given hull - but there is a limit on how fast that hull can be pushed through the water. There are diminishing returns after a certain point - very little gain for lots more energy expended.

Speed on a displacement hull is more a factor of length at waterline than of horsepower.