Fangboats are built using the planing-type hull form developed for racing boats. They are small (30–75 tons) and fast (35–40 knots). They were designed to strike at larger warships with torpedoes, using relatively high speed to get close, and small size to avoid being spotted and hit by gunfire. They are much less expensive than large warships. Fangboats are much faster, smaller, and cheaper than conventional (displacement hull) vessels.