Initial stability is the resistance of a boat to a small amount of lateral tilting from its equilibrium position. It is determined by the difference in the volume of water displaced on each side of the boat as it tilts and is relatively independent of hull shape for small angles of tilt. Lobster boat A boat is a watercraft, usually smaller than most ships. ... A standard definition of mechanical equilibrium is: A system is in mechanical equilibrium when the sum of the forces, and torques, on each particle of the system is zero. ... In fluid mechanics, displacement occurs when an object is immersed in a fluid, pushing it out of the way and taking its place. ... A hull is the body or frame of a ship or boat. ...

The wider the boat, the greater the difference in water volume displaced during lateral tilting and the greater the initial stability.

Wide boats such as the jonsboat have a great deal of initial stability and allow the occupants to stand upright to engage in fishing activities. Fishing is the activity of hunting for fish. ...

Very narrow boats such as canoes and kayaks have little initial stability. It is essential to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible in such craft so occupants generally sit down at all times. Aluminum canoe, Upper Klamath Lake A canoe is a relatively small boat, typically human-powered, but also commonly sailed. ... For the Dutch rock band of the same name see Kayak (band) Two whitewater kayakers running the Numbers section of the Arkansas River. ... In physics, the center of gravity (CoG) of an object is the average location of its weight. ...

After approximately 10 degrees of lateral tilt hull shape gains importance and secondary stability becomes the dominant consideration in boat stability.