When cruising on a small boat, you might notice that when someone jumps off the rear of the vessel, it will drift back a bit. This occurrence could be puzzling to some, but there is an explanation for it.
The main cause of the drifting is the weight distribution and the center of gravity of the boat. A typical small boat has a center of gravity that is located nearer to the center, which means that any added weight on the sides or the back can cause it to become unstable.
Therefore, when someone jumps off the rear of a small boat, the weight distribution shifts backward, causing the boat’s center of gravity to change. The change in the center of gravity will affect the balance of the boat, causing it to drift back.
The aft or rear of a boat also affects its steering or directional control. When a heavy weight is in the back, it reduces the weight in the front, affecting its steering, thus making it less responsive. Consequently, when someone jumps off the back of the boat, it will reduce the boat’s responsiveness and its course forward.
Another reason small boats tend to drift when someone jumps off is the boat’s momentum. When someone jumps off, the movement of the boat’s inertia means that the boat will continue to move forward for a short time. The boat’s movement causes water to rush in and fill the space left behind by the person who jumped off, which can cause the boat to drift further backward.
The drifting of a small boat when someone jumps off its rear is caused by a combination of the boat’s center of gravity, steering, momentum, and water displacement. Understanding this phenomenon will help you improve your boat handling skills and ensure your safety while boating. Therefore, it’s best to distribute weight evenly throughout the boat and follow the recommended guidelines for loading and unloading passengers.