Trim (Vessel And Sail)

The adjustment or resulting condition of a vessel’s fore-and-aft attitude, weight distribution or sail settings.

Vessel trim describes the difference between forward and aft draught and can be changed by loading, ballast or fuel distribution. Sail trim describes adjustment of sheets and controls to shape and orient sails for the desired drive, heel and balance.

The two meanings are related through performance but use different measurements and procedures. An apparently faster trim is not automatically safe: stability, freeboard, steering, structural limits, propeller immersion and conditions must remain within the vessel’s operating requirements.

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