The current limitation of in-water sailing vessels at the moment is cavitation. Cavitation is the process by which the pressure of water is reduced so low on t

The current limitation of in-water sailing vessels at the moment is cavitation. Cavitation is the process by which the pressure of water is reduced so low on the trailing edge of a foil at high speeds that the water instantly boils, turning to vapor, making your lovely laminar flow over the trailing edge of the foil turn into a turbulent flow. No fun if you were nicely balanced ripping along at 40 kts on an AC75. Now only the leading edge of your foil is working, it needs a higher angle of attack to maintain the same lift, which increases the drag, slowing you down and causing your owner to cry into his billions of dollars because you just lost him the America's Cup.