Ballast takes many forms. The simplest form of ballast used in small day sailers is so-called live ballast, or the weight of the crew. By sitting on the windward side of the hull, the heeling moment must lift the weight of the crew.
The Principal-Agent Relationship. A principal-agent relationship is an arrangement between two or more individuals. Specifically, the agent of the relationship performs a task on behalf of the principal. This is often due to different degrees of knowledge and skills.
The principal is simply the person -- or group of people -- who authorizes an agent to act on his behalf. The principal is who gives the agent his authority to act and to make decisions. The principal does not typically make day-to-day decisions himself, but is legally the owner of the business and can give direction to the agent acting on his behalf.