In a message dated 12/26/01 6:13:45 PM Central Standard Time, AirEvacLen@aol.com writes:

Steve
There are several books with a generic formula for stability...........This will at least get you in the ball park...........I worked out the formula once for my M-23 and it came out to a 2..........Meaning it is a good coastal cruiser, but serious offshore cruising ( blue water ) would be subject to the owners interpretation of stability............Not a Dana 24, Valiant, or Island Packet,,,,,,,,,,But a darn sight better built than some of the other boats on the water.............

Lenny
M-23
Sea Horse

Thanks for the tip. I believe I'm familiar with the formula you speak of, one that attempts to screen out boats that are too beamy for blue water safety. What I'm looking for is this: how far will an M-15 or 17 heel before it reaches a point of no return and turtles? In the case of my Potter, it's not too far! On my wife and I's first sail, we managed to lay the boat on its side due to a number of mistakes made. Amy Ann was quite content to stay there until I swam around and weighted the CB, whereupon she popped back up and we continued sailing. Thus in real terms I would say that our boat has an ultimate range of stability of less than 90 degrees. With the M-boat's significantly greater ballast, I assume that their range is much higher. I'm confident it's one of the calculations Lyle Hess made and considered when he designed the M-17.

Cheers

Steve Tyree, P-15 Amy Ann