In ship design the Tumblehome is the narrowing of a ship's hull with greater distance above the water-line. Expressed more technically, it's present when the beam at the uppermost deck is less than the maximum beam of the vessel. A small amount of tumblehome is normal in many designs in order to allow any small projections at deck level to clear wharves (Pursey p. 218). Tumblehome was common on wooden warships for centuries. In the era of oared combat ships it was quite common, placing the oar… (More on Tumblehome)