[Paddlewise] Chines and Stability

From: Coplan, Karl <KCoplan_at_law.pace.edu>
Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2000 12:26:58 -0500
Nick Schade writes:

"Initial stability is dependant almost exclusively on waterline width. 
Two boats with the same waterline width and shape will have the same 
initial stability regardless of chine shape. Obviously, parameters 
such as seat height and other factors effecting the vertical center 
of gravity will also have an effect."

Nick  -- what do you mean by waterline width here?  What you are saying
sounds extremely counterintuitive, unless I misunderstand what is meant by
initial stability.  For example, imagine a box and a cylinder of the same
length and width -- they would have an identical "waterline width" (indeed
the waterlines could be identical shape and size.  The cylinder would have
zero intial stability (and zero secondary stability) while the box would
have considerable initial and secondary stability.

What am I missing here?

--Karl Coplan

P.S. sadly put my Coastal back in the basement last week after some 70
Hudson River crossings this year!



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Received on Thu Nov 16 2000 - 09:34:04 PST

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