1. What is Water Displacement?

Water displacement refers to the weight of the water that a boat displaces when it is floating, which is equal to the total weight of the boat. This calculation is crucial for boat design, stability assessment, and loan evaluations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the water displacement formula:

Where:

• \( Length \) — Boat length in feet
• \( Beam \) — Boat width in feet
• \( Draft \) — Vertical distance between waterline and bottom of hull in feet
• \( Block\ Coefficient \) — Hull fullness ratio (0 to 1)
• \( Density \) — Water density in pounds per cubic foot (64 lb/ft³ for seawater)

Explanation: The formula calculates the volume of water displaced by the boat and multiplies it by water density to get the weight.

3. Importance of Displacement Calculation

Details: Accurate displacement calculation is essential for determining boat stability, cargo capacity, and loan valuation. It helps lenders assess the boat's value and risk.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all dimensions in feet. Block coefficient typically ranges from 0.5 for fine hulls to 0.8 for full hulls. Default density is for seawater (64 lb/ft³).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is displacement important for boat loans?
A: Displacement correlates with boat size, construction quality, and value - key factors in loan underwriting.

Q2: What's a typical block coefficient value?
A: Most boats range between 0.55-0.75. Sailboats tend to be lower (0.5-0.6), while barges may approach 0.9.

Q3: How does density affect the calculation?
A: Freshwater (62.4 lb/ft³) gives slightly lower displacement than seawater (64 lb/ft³) for the same volume.

Q4: Can I use this for irregular hull shapes?
A: The calculation assumes a rectangular prism shape. For complex hulls, professional naval architect calculations are recommended.

Q5: How does displacement relate to boat loans?
A: Lenders use displacement as one factor to verify boat specifications and determine loan-to-value ratios.