It can be done. (Score 1)

I don't have time at the moment to read all of the commentary regarding this issue and it is possible that someone mentioned my own observation. Just last week I was discussing with a fellow worker the issue surrounding the US "scientist" who was held by the Russian authorities for spying. It turns out that he was seeking information regarding a sub launched missle...that is able to travel several hundred miles per hour underwater by creating a stream of bubbles at the nose. If one were to use that same technology to help propel the submerged bow of a large ship so as to modify the laminar flow up to a particular speed...and then again the same technology on a submerged hydrofoil...the hydrofoil would be able to raise the large hull out of the water. Traveling on a small surface area will surely make the boat go faster. Forget standard sailing hulls...they cannot touch hydrofoils. With the current technologies available they just need to set gyroscopes to the systems developed. As for fast and large boats go look to the Playstation II and it's competitors. Many are 75 to 120' long and are now setting world records WITHOUT HYDROFOILS.