[sailaway21]

Trying to stay on topic here without getting off into free surface effect which is certainly a topic for another thread.

Val will likely negate any free surface effect by the increase to four tanks versus two. But the idea that a stiffer boat is inherently more desirable than a more tender boat is not necessarily vaild. The stiffer boat is only desirable to the extent that it allows for more efficient operation of the boats sails. All other craft spend a good amount of effort in avoiding a too stiff condition. Stiff vessels roll with a period that causes damage to the vessel, particularly at the vertical extremeties and are uninhabitable.

Fishing boats and ships have provisions for winging out tankage, thus raising the CG, for different loading conditions, particularly light ship conditions. Tankage so poisitioned increases the vessels moment of inertia and results in a better more comfortable ride. In fishing vessels it compensates for the catch stowed low in the hold.