Model sized hull - built for efficiency and speed

Was looking for opinions on what would be the most effective hull shape when dealing with a low propulsion force (powered by tension in a large mouse trap).

Our initial idea is a catamaran inspired twin hull design that houses a paddle wheel very much like the design in the video below




Would like to know your thoughts on the hull shape that would be most effective design for straight line speed. Also the hull light is constrained to 1m or less in length.

Cheers.

 

You're on the right track. Long, skinny cat, maximum length at the waterline for a given displacement. Paddlewheel probably makes sense too, but I'll let the others get into that.

 

I suspect that a large propellor will be more efficient than a paddle wheel. A well designed monohull will have less wetted surface than a cat.