Dec 16, 2008 · A boat’s ability to go fast is a balancing act between its length and the power driving it, whether supplied by wind or engine, says Jerry Milgram, William I. Koch Professor of Marine Technology. In the 1800s, William Froude, researching warships for the British Admiralty, observed that models run at speeds in proportion to the square root of ... There are so many factors that affect boat speed that it is hard to make accurate estimates of what the real top end will be. Mercury Marine uses the following formula to estimate potential top end, this calculator uses this formula. The Square Root of (Total Shaft Horsepower / Weight ) x Constant = SpeedTRACKER® Boats builds a full line of Mod V, Deep V and utility / jon boats in our Missouri manufacturing facility. Founded in 1978 by Johnny Morris, TRACKER was the first to offer a ready-to-fish boat, motor and trailer package at a nationally advertised price—which revolutionized the boating industry.