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Old 09-27-2017, 08:29 AM   #108
steelydon
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City: Beaufort, NC
Vessel Name: Legacy
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 48E
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 124
This is an important question and the 2012 Silverton incident brings it home in a tragic way. When studying for captains exam I came across a CG-4006 worksheet provided by The USCG for a simplified stability test procedure. Simplified may be an overstatement but you can decide after reading the test procedure.

It may have been said but if your plan for stability is to keep passengers equally disbursed around the boat remember that plan falls apart when something very interesting happens on the other side causing a rush to see.

Anecdotally, there are a lot of small builders on the coast of NC turning out quality boats. Many of these boats are built without plans using what they refer to as the "rack of the eye" method. One old timer indicated that he measured flybridge capacity by placing water barrels on the edge of the FB till the boat listed 14 degrees then the weight of the water determined capacity. No blue barrels? Use a 200 gallon rectangular kiddy pool from Amazon for about $20 and digital gallon counter on the hose to determine how much water is in the pool. I have not vetted this method so perhaps others will respond with their comments.

Good thread!

Don
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