Probably a little more than I was looking for but very insightful. I will
print a copy of this email.. give me a "go by".


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wrote in message
oups.com...
Stowage principles (from the operating manual of my cruiser)

Rule 1: Keep the ends of the boat (bow, stern and masthead) light.

The formula by which pitching moment of inertia is calculated is:

Pitching moment of inertia = mass x (distance from CG)^2

Moving a mass equal to just 1% of the displacement of the boat (ie 60
kg) from midships to the bow or the stern would increase the total
resistance due to heave and pitch by about 1600%. This is especially
important when beating to windward.

Rule 2 (a repeat of Rule 1, because it is important and yet easily
ignored): Keep heavy objects as close as practicable to the centre of
gravity.

Sailing yachts are fastest when the mass is concentrated in the middle
of the boat. The more mass in the ends, the more the boat tends to bury
in one wave and lift high over the next, slowing her down.

Halving the distance between any heavy object and the centre of gravity
reduces the contribution of that object to the pitching moment of
inertia by one-quarter.

Rule 3: Keep heavy objects low and inboard.

Mass higher than the ballast reduces the righting arm provided by the
ballast to the extent of the product of that mass multiplied by its
height above the ballast. Mass outboard of the centreline similarly
reduces the righting arm provided by the ballast, depending on the
tack.

Heavy stores should be in the lockers below the settee and the sea
berth.

Rule 4: Do not allow the loaded waterline to be raised above the design
waterline by more than 1% of the LWL.

Rule 5: Stow as if the boat will roll 180°.

All loose objects have to be stowed in a locker. All lockers must have
positive latches. Nothing should be stowed on the cabin sole, the chart
table, workbench, or counter tops.

Rule 6: Stow to maintain longitudinal (fore-aft) and athwartships trim.


Avoid stowage that lists the boat to port or starboard. Avoid stowage
that makes the boat trim bow down or stern down. A bow-down boat has a
tiny advantage over a boat trimmed on her waterline on an upwind
passage. Similarly, a stern-down boat has a tiny advantage on a
downwind passage. Trimming bow down or stern down by exactly the right
amount is elusive however, so the better option is to aim to trim the
boat on her waterline.

Rule 7: Stow for accessibility and with logic.

Often used items have to be stowed for easy retrieval. A few commonly
used tools - screwdriver, pliers, shackle key, knife - have to be
accessible without unpacking the tool bin. Food stowage has to allow
meal preparation with minimum preparation. The medical kit and other
emergency items have to be stowed so they can be accessed quickly.

Put similar items together. Put items close to where they will be used.

Rule 8: Avoid stowage that obstructs critical equipment and controls,
including seacocks and diverter valves. Do not allow electronic
appliances (eg mobile phones) to be used or ferrous objects to be
stowed near the steering compass or either of the two fixed electronic
compass units.

Rule 9: Budget time to reposition items (over-stowage), locate lost
items, and put away items at the end of tasks.

The International Space Station standard is to accept that each crew
member spends 45 minutes on over-stowing each day. Measures to minimise
over-stowage are good, but eliminating it completely may not be
possible. Returning tools and stores to their assigned location - and
so making them accessible - is always possible.

Rule 10: Document stowage, maintain a location coding system, and allow
for occasional non-standard stowage. Maintain an inventory to prevent
oversupply of unnecessary items and undersupply of necessary ones.

Rule 11: Stow for compactness and silence. Use tea towels to keep
galley gear (crockery, pots) from moving and clattering.

Rule 12: Protect sleeping berths from stowage.