Understanding Ballast Displacement Ratio
The Ballast Displacement Ratio is a critical metric for evaluating boat stability and sailing characteristics. This ratio represents the proportion of a vessel's total weight that is dedicated to ballast, which directly impacts how the boat handles in various conditions.
Formula
[\text{BDR} = \frac{\text{Total Ballast}}{\text{Total Displacement}}]
Where:
- Total Ballast is the weight of the ballast (in lbs or kg)
- Total Displacement is the total weight of the boat (in lbs or kg)
Example Calculation
For a sailboat with:
- Total Ballast: 6,000 lbs
- Total Displacement: 15,000 lbs
[\text{BDR} = \frac{6000}{15000} = 0.40]
This means 40% of the boat's total weight is ballast, which is typical for a moderate cruising sailboat and provides good stability characteristics.