Bluewater Design: Weight and Dynamic Stability

Make sure your bluewater boat has a load capacity appropriate to your cruising plans, and a hull shape suited for dynamic stability and comfort.

1
Do you know how much weight your boat can hold and still operate at the desired CE category?

It is not enough for the boat to be able to handle the conditions, she also has to carry a crew and everything they need, and give them a safe and relatively comfortable space to live in on passage. When you're crossing an ocean there is nowhere to stop and re-supply or get spares. I know this sounds obvious, but it has major implications.

To continue reading this article or issue you must be a paid member.

Join Practical Sailor

Get full access to Practical-Sailor.com – more than 4,000 articles – for just $34.
Join today and save 42% off our full price.
Already a member?
| Forgot your password? | Activate Web Access
Roland Stockham got his start sailing Olympic-class 470s and Finns in his native England. He started his journey as a voyager crewing for yacht owners sailing to Europe because he was handy at diesel repair. His first cruising boat was a 26-ft. Folkboat with no engine. He lives in British Columbia and sails a 35-ft. Colin Archer design. He is a Royal Yachting Association certified Yacht Master and is qualified to make trans-oceanic deliveries.

1 COMMENT

  1. Where in BC do you live ? Have you any thoughts on the suitability for off shore , and how about the stability of a Passport 42 ? We have a 1980 Fraser 36 and one of my brothers is looking at a 1982 Passport 42 .