Hmmm. Yes. (I always thought that was so that your arse didn't shut with a bang!)

The beautiful hull shapes are very often quicker. Look at the clipper bow and the old J-class yachts. You need an easily driven hull form for quick acceleration and high speed in light winds, as well as maximum waterline length for maximum speed if the wind/sail area combination is enough to reach the hull speed.

What I don't understand is how boats can sail at 27 knots or thereabouts. Presumably, they must be planing - but they don't seem to have the righ hull shape for this, nor to be light enough....?

Steve