Here's a quick answer to Tom, with a cool video. More answers to come!
I am concerned about your "30 minute ferry" from Half Moon Bay. That requires a ferry that travels an average of 24 knots. Add in delays for clearing Half Mood Bay harbor and you are looking at a vessel that can transit some pretty rough water at 25+ knots. Last time I was in Half Moon Bay it did not seem like a good place for a vessel that large.
Have a look at the
Nauti-Craft Marine Suspension Systems ferry. Here's a
cool video; the comparison with the monohull at 2:05 is awesome.
If scaled 2X, it would work very well for us. Alternatively, a fleet of several of them at the current scale would be great too.
Looks like a fun ride. I would be curious to see what their maintenance requirements are with all those moving parts that are exposed to salt spray.
I would have expected a move toward
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small-waterplane-area_twin_hull for improved sea keeping. It is passively stable instead of actively stable. The potential speed gain of the Suspension Craft compared to the SWATH vessel is mitigated by long period swells that generate heave at higher speeds.
This project will be interesting to watch. Still curious how I'm supposed to tie up my sailboat when I stop by for lunch.