How fast could a ship of the line sail?

What was the average speed of a man-of-war at this time?

Three to five knots was a useful average; higher speeds were possible, but battle trim and sail handling reduced practical performance.

Three to five knots is a useful average speed for a man-of-war, with seven or eight knots possible in favourable conditions. Battle trim changed the calculation: sail handling, weight distribution, and manoeuvring arrangements all affected a ship's practical speed. Movement in combat therefore depended on more than a vessel's headline performance.