The template value of .4 indicates more emphasis on gravity controlled stability rather than form stability. This ratio measures the fineness of the hull. Many newer designs favor wider hulls which have larger interior volume, sail flatter, and have high reaching and down wind speed potential. One note of caution when making comparisons, longer boats tend to be finer then short ones. Our template value is 3.4, which is fairly fine.
Fine hulls tend to be well balanced and have low inverted stability.
They concluded that boats with values greater than 2 should not compete in ocean races. It does not indicate or calculate static stability. Some modern coastal cruisers and many racing designs have problems meeting this criteria. An interesting note, the study concluded that static stability was relatively unimportant in predicting dynamic capsize. Beam and weight were much more important factors.