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Boat Displacement Formula:
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Boat displacement refers to the weight of water displaced by a vessel's hull, which equals the total weight of the boat and everything on board. It's a fundamental measurement in naval architecture and marine engineering.
The calculator uses the displacement formula:
Where:
Explanation: The block coefficient represents the fullness of the hull form, with values typically ranging from 0.5 for fine hulls to 0.9 for full hulls.
Details: Accurate displacement calculation is crucial for determining a vessel's stability, buoyancy, load capacity, and overall performance characteristics. It affects everything from fuel efficiency to seaworthiness.
Tips: Enter all dimensions in feet. The block coefficient should be between 0 and 1, typically ranging from 0.5 to 0.9 depending on hull shape. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is the difference between displacement and tonnage?
A: Displacement measures the actual weight of water displaced, while tonnage is a volume measurement used for regulatory and commercial purposes.
Q2: How do I determine the block coefficient for my boat?
A: The block coefficient is typically provided by the naval architect or manufacturer. For standard hull forms, it ranges from 0.5-0.6 for sailboats to 0.7-0.9 for displacement powerboats.
Q3: Why is displacement measured in long tons?
A: Long tons (2,240 pounds) are traditionally used in naval architecture, though metric tons (1,000 kg) are also common in modern applications.
Q4: Does this formula work for all boat types?
A: This formula provides a good estimate for displacement hulls. For planing hulls or multihulls, additional factors may need consideration.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The accuracy depends on the precision of the input values and the appropriateness of the block coefficient for the specific hull form.