How is the sheer of a vessel related to its freeboard?

The relationship between sheer and freeboard is pivotal in understanding vessel stability and design. Sheer refers to the upward curvature of a vessel's deck, which influences the vessel's appearance and how it interacts with water.

When sheer is decreased, meaning that the deckline becomes flatter, the effective height of the vessel above the waterline may also become lower, leading to a reduction in freeboard. Similarly, increased sheer captures more water above the baseline, thus decreasing the distance from the deck to the waterline, which also results in reduced freeboard.

In essence, both decreased and increased sheer result in impacts that can lead to a reduction in the freeboard, showing that the sheer design is crucial for maintaining sufficient freeboard needed for vessel stability and safety. This interplay underscores the significance of sheer in overall vessel design and stability assessments.