These recommendations have been arrived at over a number of years and have been periodically discussed by the membership.
Opinions vary and technology advances.
These are therefore intended to be a guide rather than definitive practice and should be adopted by the cruising sailor only after careful consideration of their own craft, sailing area, climate, etc. Decisions on safety for any small boat sailor are the responsibility of the individual. The boat should be stable enough to allow the recommended weight of crew to sit on the gunwale without dipping it under or the craft capsizing. A fairly beamy hull is advised. This buoyancy should be so disposed that it is possible for the crew to put the boat back into sailing condition after capsizing or swamping.