Out of Trim

Out of trim describes a vessel floating with an unintended longitudinal inclination, the bow and stern drafts differing from the wanted condition because weights are unevenly distributed fore and aft. Trim equals the difference between forward and after draft; a ship trimmed by the stern sits deeper aft. Being out of trim raises resistance and fuel burn, reduces propeller immersion or rudder effect, and can break stowage or breach load-line drafts. It is corrected by shifting ballast or cargo, calculated through the moment to change trim one centimeter (MCTC).