20 knots
37.04 km/hSpeed · definition
The quantity is exact as entered. Comparisons use the clearly stated specimen, model or nominal measurement.
Speed
Just how fast is 20 knots?
Road & rail
20 kn
DISTANCE IN ONE SECOND
20 knots
The quantity is exact as entered.
37.04 km/hSpeed
0
10.29 m in 1 s
Racing catamaran
A racing catamaran is a high-speed sailing boat with two parallel hulls, designed for competitive sailing.
43.2 km/hDefined fast sailing speed
0
12 m in 1 s
Each track shows distance covered in the same second. The small illustrations identify the movers; their sizes are schematic.
A little perspective
The fast sailing speed of a racing catamaran is about 1.17 times 20 knots.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
20 knots
Speed: 37.04 km/h; definition.
The quantity is exact as entered. Comparisons use the clearly stated specimen, model or nominal measurement.
Racing catamaran
Defined fast sailing speed: 43.2 km/h; specified; range 7 m/s–64.8 km/h.
A Formula 18 racing catamaran at the class limits of 5.52 m length, 2.60 m width and 180 kg minimum ready-to-sail mass, shown at a defined 12 m/s pace. Crew mass and momentary race speed are excluded.
International Formula 18 — Class rules
The marked defined fast sailing speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Measurement details
Why these numbers?
Compare 20 knots with the fast sailing speed of a racing catamaran. The notes below explain how each value was chosen.
Racing catamaran
43.2 km/hDefined fast sailing speed · specified · range 7 m/s–64.8 km/h
A Formula 18 racing catamaran at the class limits of 5.52 m length, 2.60 m width and 180 kg minimum ready-to-sail mass, shown at a defined 12 m/s pace. Crew mass and momentary race speed are excluded.
- Comparing
- Speed ↔ Defined fast sailing speed
- Relative size
- The fast sailing speed of a racing catamaran is about 1.17 times 20 knots. The fast sailing speed of a racing catamaran is approximately 16.6% greater than 20 knots.
How to read the visual
The diagram uses the recorded measurements. Details outside the marked spans do not set the scale.
- We use 43.2 km/h for the fast sailing speed of a racing catamaran; the recorded range is 7 m/s–64.8 km/h.
- The recorded ranges overlap, so the ordering can vary even though the central values differ.
Speed is distance per unit time; it does not specify the total distance travelled.
10.289 m/smetres per second
37.04 km/hkilometres per hour
23.016 mphmiles per hour
Mach 0.029997Mach
Change your perspective
Put it next to…
Choose a suggestion to redraw the comparison, or open its page to learn what it is.
A little smaller. A little larger.