If you’ve spent any time out on a boat before, you probably know just how important it is to have a high-quality stabilizing system in place. Without one, you’re going to experience a whole lot more rocking with the waves, and a much greater likelihood of seasickness. But it’s not just seasickness that occurs when your yacht isn’t stable—you’re more likely to deal with serious falls, broken equipment and a much more challenging environment to move around in.
A gyro stabilizer is a type of computer-controlled system featuring a flywheel that spins up to 10,700 RPM and tilts both fore and aft in up to a 140-degree range. Why have a gyro stabilizer in Fort Lauderdale, FL? The purpose is to counteract the natural wave motion that you would typically experience in a yacht. Today’s most modern gyro stabilizer technology has been in use in recreational yachts for over a decade, and is more reliable and effective than ever before.
Here are just a few examples of some of the benefits of a gyro stabilizer:
- Reduced pitch and roll: We can’t emphasize enough the benefits of significant reduction of pitch and roll provided by gyro stabilizers. It makes the entire experience much more comfortable, not to mention safer. You can protect yourself and your equipment on the boat by investing in a gyro stabilizer.
- Versatile with sizes: Gyro stabilizers will work with a wide variety of yacht sizes; you can use them on vessels ranging from 30’ to more than 100’. The type of system you select might depend on the size, but for most types of recreational yachts, you don’t have to worry about size preventing you from using a stabilizing system.
- Works in a variety of situations: The stabilizer works in a wide variety of situations. It will stabilize while you’re anchored or docked just as well as it will while you’re cruising or getting up to speed out on the open water.
- Different sizes and configurations: Gyro stabilizers are available in a variety of different sizes and can be implemented in multiple configurations depending on the layout of the yacht. You might get by with one larger stabilizing unit, or you may get better results from multiple smaller ones.
- Energy efficient: Gyro stabilizers require much less power than one might expect. When in startup mode they need only 3kw, and then just 1 or 2kw during regular operation.
Of course, there are a few drawbacks associated with the use of gyro stabilizers. They can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to really warm up to the operating speed you’re using, so the beginning of your voyage might be just a bit bumpy while the stabilizing system adjusts. They also require a lot of dedicated space, which is harder to accommodate in some yachts than others. The biggest drawback for many yacht owners is that these systems are not cheap. You should be sure to get a quote and determine whether or not you’re willing to put that kind of investment in your boat.
Why are gyro stabilizers important? For more information about gyro stabilizers in Fort Lauderdale, FL, contact Starboard Yacht Group LLC today.