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How stable is the boat bearing in mind that it has a centerboard?

The question of stability generally (not just for the OVNIs) is a tricky one, and I must admit that I am not an expert on the theoretical aspects of it. Looking at it purely subjectively - and having sailed some 30,000 miles on the OVNI43, including crossing Drake Passage twice (once in winds over 50 knots) as well as being battered in Le Maire Strait -
I can say the following: apart from the inherent stability factor itself, a lot depends on:

  1. Sea and wind conditions
  2. How the crew handles/steers the boat
  3. Luck (good or bad!)
I believe that if you encounter the wrong conditions at the wrong place at the wrong time... you will probably capsize the QE2.!

My feeling is that with 3.5 tons of ballast, the 43 is quite a stable boat. So if the boat is sailed properly, reefed early, etc you have absolutely no reason to be concerned. As far as I know, of some 600 OVNIs built in the last dozen years (between 30 and 45 feet LOA) none has capsized  or got into any serious trouble because of its design.

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