Some kayak questions. Answers please???????

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Somethings a shop told me.........

1/ A kayak has a hull speed of which it will not go faster than. Once you learn to recognise this speed, you don't waste energy trying to overpass the hull speed.
Is this true?

2/ The ends of the paddles should be at a 45 degree angle to each other which incorporates more wrist movement and less effort on the arms. It also cuts the distance from paddle to water further reducing effort on arms. I've been assembling them with paddles symetrical.
Which system do you lot use? How much difference does it make?

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These guys seem to be using their paddles symetrical.

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I am not sure about the top speed for our type of kayaks. I read an article for touring kayaks which said a touring speed was about 3mph to 4mph. with a wriggle on up to 5mph and a sprint of 5.5 may be 6mph but for a limited time. I managed a constant speed of just over 4mph for an hour on a windless flat calm day this summer. The speed was measured using a GPS. Let me tell you i was absolutely shattered so it is a good idea to pace yourself and take regular breaks to get you breath back.

The angle of one blade in relation to the other which you mentioned is called the feather. There are many angles you can choose from depending on what your style of paddling is or what type of paddle you have. The feather on my paddle is fixed i think it is 60 degrees i think that is about average but not sure. The shop told me the reason for the feather is to make one stroke to the next a more fluid motion so that the blade exiting the water on one side sets up the opposite blade at the right angle to enter the water making it easier on your wrists therefore as little a wrists movement as possible. Something which was common sense but couldn't see it at the time is when you find yourself paddling into the wind. The blade in the water is at ninety degrees to the kayak. The opposite blade which is out of the water will be end on to the wind so it slices through. If the flat surface faces the wind it makes headway much harder. I haven't used a paddle with no feather but i can see the logic behind the idea.