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Ballast Calculator

Calculate ballast weight and volume requirements based on displacement and target stability ratio.

Quick Samples
Try these common configurations to get started

30ft Cruising Sailboat

Good stability for cruising

25ft Racing Yacht

High stability for performance

35ft Traditional Cruiser

Moderate stability, heavy boat

Hull Dimensions
Enter your boat's principal dimensions

The total weight of the boat including everything.

Typically 35-45% for cruisers, 45-55% for racers.

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About This Tool
The Ballast Calculator is a fundamental tool for sailboat design, helping you determine the required weight and volume of ballast needed to achieve a desired stability profile. By inputting your boat's total displacement and target ballast ratio, this tool calculates the necessary ballast weight for different materials like lead, iron, or steel. This is a crucial first step in ensuring your boat has adequate righting moment for safety and performance.

Key Concepts:

Displacement: The total weight of the boat, which is equal to the weight of water it displaces.
Ballast Ratio: The percentage of the boat's total weight that is dedicated to ballast. A key indicator of stability.
Righting Moment: The force that causes a heeled boat to return to upright. More ballast, lower down, increases it.
Center of Gravity: The balance point of the boat. Lowering the CG with ballast increases stability.
Frequently Asked Questions

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