Which mechanism limited the hull speed of 18th-century sailing ships, irrespective of sail area increase?

💡 Explanation

When a ship moves through water, it generates bow and stern waves; at a certain speed the wavelength equals the ship's length, increasing drag due to wave-making resistance dominating because the energy input is converted to wave energy. Therefore, wave-making resistance limited hull speed, rather than separation, weakness, or cavitation which require different physical conditions.

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