What is a potential consequence of having poor stability in a vessel?

Having poor stability in a vessel significantly increases the risk of capsizing. Stability is a measure of a ship's ability to return to an upright position after being tilted by waves, wind, or cargo shifts. When a vessel does not have adequate stability, it may not recover from these forces, leading to a dangerous situation where it could roll over or tip beyond its safe angle. This risk becomes especially pronounced in adverse weather conditions or when the vessel is carrying heavy or poorly distributed loads.

In contrast, while options like increased fuel efficiency or enhanced navigational speed could be desirable, they are often not directly related to a boat’s stability. Additionally, better crew morale is generally influenced by operational safety and comfort rather than being a direct consequence of stability. Thus, the consequence of an unstable vessel primarily manifests in safety risks, with capsizing being the most severe outcome.