Yacht Stability
The centres of buoyancy and gravity

The centre of buoyancy.

The position of the centre of buoyancy changes as:

• The vessel heels.
• The vessel is loaded.
• The trim of the boat changes.

The centre of buoyancy is the point that the forces created by the buoyancy of the hull can be considered to act through.

 

The centre of gravity.

The position of the centre of gravity is governed by:

The lower the centre of gravity the better for stability.

The centre of gravity is the point through which the weight of the vessel can be considered to act.