On 20 Jan 2006 06:11:41 -0800, "
wrote:

I have been wondering if a displacement hull that moves fast enough
would create a sort of "sonic boom" just as an object moving fast
enough in air does. In air, the shock is created when the aircraft
moves too fast for the air to get out of the way. In water, a
displacement hull attempts to climb its bow wave which effectively
limits its speed. Apparently, this hull speed is not a mathematical
limit but merely a practical limit as sufficient power can move a hull
over hull speed. However the power necessary to produce any further
increase in speed radically increases above hull speed. If you did
manage to produce enough power, could you power through the bow wave
and thus produce a shock wave?

I don't believe a displacement hull could produce a sonic boom. When
you push a displacement hull past it's hull speed it doesn't plane, it
starts to roll/wallow.
More than likely it would just roll over and sink.
Mark E. williams