Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Quiz · Heavy weather and stability
A lot of water has got below and is sloshing about in the bilge. What does that do to the yacht's stability?
A cross-section of a yacht's hull seen from astern, heeled over to one side. Water lying loose inside the hull has run down to the low side, its surface staying level. Label: water loose in the bilge.
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Reduces it: the water runs to the low side as she heels and helps to hold her over. This is the free surface effect. Loose water moves to the low side every time the yacht heels, shifting weight the wrong way and cutting the righting lever. The same goes for half-empty tanks without baffles, so pump the water out and find where it came from.
