K wrote:
: Hi. I'm looking to the experts (the boating experts, not the political
: experts) for some technical help with a writing project I'm working on.
: Say there's a small, open, no frills, 12 or 13 foot boat with an outboard
: motor. In the boat are two adults and their ten year-old son. Assume that
: the boat is sitting stationary in relatively calm waters (bay or harbor),
: and that there's no water inside the boat. How likely is it that the three
: of them might capsize it if they were to all simultaneously put a foot up on
: the same side of the hull with most of their weight? Maybe they were all
: reaching out for something. Would they flip the whole thing over and get
: dumped in the water? Is that conceivable? Likely? Doubtful?
: Any thoughts welcome.
: Thanks...
: -Ken

Been around boats for 45 years. Owned some small ones.

I'd say "likely". Especially if it were a light weight aluminum hull.
They'd get rather "tippy" with this relatively heavy load and I'd
guess if it had little freeboard, that one side would take on water. Once
that starts happening, it's an additive effect and the boat would more
likely swamp from the side rather than turn over 180 degrees.

b.