Those of us that sail small boats quickly develop an appreciation for stability. All it takes is a gust of wind or a large wave, and we're wet. Larger boats, especially those designed for cruising, respond much slower and usually give the impression of having a great deal of stability. Whether going for a day sail or leaving on a world cruise, It's important that you answer these questions and understand the key factors that determine stability.
Stability is the resistance of a boat to forces that tend to induce heeling.
Evaluating the overall stability of a blue water cruising boat requires the consideration of both static and dynamic stability issues. The first three factors determine static stability. The length of the righting arm is the horizontal distance between the buoyant force and the center of gravity. The righting arm begins at zero, increases to a maximum at around 40 degrees of heel, and then decreases until it reaches zero again around 130 degrees. When that angle is exceeded, the boat capsizes.