The Benefits of Seakeeper Gyro Stabilizers

The Benefits of Seakeeper Gyro Stabilizers

Are you tired of having to deal with side-to-side rolling and rough sea conditions when out in your yacht? If so, a gyro stabilizer from Seakeeper, one of the most trusted brands in the market for gyros, is something that can greatly benefit you as a boat owner. Gyros are capable of reducing roll out on the water by up to 90 percent, which means installing one can make excursions on your boat significantly more enjoyable for the majority of your guests.

Read on for some information about gyro stabilizers and what they can do for you, from a provider of yacht services in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The basics of gyro stabilizers

If you’re familiar with gyro stabilizers, chances are you’ve also heard of fin stabilizers, which for years had been the industry standard for stabilizing boats. These rudder-like protrusions would be located below the waterline on the boat and would help to stabilize the boat during periods of roughness, but the problem with them is that they are susceptible to damage and can significantly reduce speed, performance and fuel economy.

The gyro stabilizer is the answer to these problems—a way to keep the boat stable without having to sacrifice performance. They do not stick out from the bottom of the boat, or even interact with the water in any way at all.

Seakeeper is the gold standard in the world of manufacturing gyro stabilizers, though there are a couple other brands out there that also do fine work. Seakeeper has a range of active-control models that can fit boats as small as 30 feet, whether they’re for business or for pleasure. Active control involves hydraulic rams controlling the speed and angle of gyroscopic precession, which is a term that refers to the gyro’s tendency to react to an input force at a right angle to the force. These hydraulic rams are controlled by inputs from hi-tech sensors. This entire system makes for an efficient and effective means of stabilizing a boat in a wide variety of weather conditions, including both very calm and very rough seas, without you having to manage the system (it’s all computer-controlled).

Active technology is a bit more expensive and complex than passive technology and requires a little bit more maintenance, but if you’re looking to get the best possible experience when out on the water, this is the kind of tradeoff you’re probably going to be willing to make. This is also why so many yacht owners around the world opt for Seakeeper gyros  – the technology they use is second to none.

There are ways you can retrofit Seakeepers to be used on old boats, though there can be issues with placement and weight (Seakeeper models can be anywhere from 550 to 4,000 pounds). Seakeepers often come standard on new yacht models today. If you do wish to retrofit, the Seakeeper can be tied into an existing stringer, though you may need to have the stringers sistered to get the proper span for the mounts.

If you’re interested in learning more about the work being done by Seakeeper and the steps you’d need to take to retrofit your yacht with a Seakeeper gyro, contact Starboard Yacht Group to learn more about our yacht services in Fort Lauderdale, FL today.