What is most likely to occur if a boat is running through a trough?

When a boat is running through a trough, it is navigating between two waves. This scenario often leads to a condition known as broaching. Broaching occurs when a vessel turns sideways to the waves, which can happen as it navigates down the face of a wave into the trough. This situation can cause loss of control, making the boat vulnerable to capsizing if not managed correctly.

Broaching is particularly dangerous because the vessel's stability is compromised; as it turns broadside to the waves, the impact and force from the oncoming waves can lead to severe rolling, potentially resulting in capsizing. The boat's ability to maintain an upright position is challenged under these conditions, especially if it is experiencing seas that are steep or confused.

The other possibilities, such as capsizing, grounding, or listing, are results of different circumstances. While capsizing can be a potential outcome of broaching if conditions worsen, broaching refers specifically to the situation where the boat is not facing directly into the wave direction and is at risk of being turned sideways. Grounding pertains to a vessel running aground, which is unrelated to the scenario of navigating through troughs. Listing implies a permanent tilt due to an imbalance of weight, which is not directly tied to the