- A ship’s pivot point is a point on the centerline about which the ship turns when the rudder is put over. The pivot point describes the ship’s turning circle.
- A ship’s pivot point is nearly always located about one
- Third ship’s length from her bow when moving ahead,
- and at or near her stern when moving astern. The location of the pivot point will vary with ship’s speed . An increase in speed will shift the pivot point in the direction of the ship’s movement
- The pivot point is generally at 1/3 ship’s length from the bow when the ship is moving ahead, and between ¼ ship’s length from the stern and the rudder post when going astern.
- But if a powerful and effective lateral force is applied at one end of the vessel, the position of the pivot point will shift at about 1/3rd ship’s length from the other end of the ship (relative to the applied force)
