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Typical methods of boat stabilization This featured product is on the subject of boat and vessel stabilization. I know everyone has succumbed at some point to boat motion in a seaway either in rough condition or just a gentle roll. Eliminating roll can make your boating experience so much more enjoyable. There are several ways you can stop your boat rolling around, either in chop or waves, underway or at rest. Here are some;
This featured product looks at the SeaKeeper Gyro which is a Control Moment Gyro like the ARG Gyro. Press Release from SeaKeeper; Seakeeper is pleased to announce it has signed a significant partnership agreement with Azimut Yachts, a world leader in luxury yachts. Under the agreement, Azimut Yachts has agreed to buy a significant portion of Seakeepers production for the next few years, Seakeeper Gyro article Links What is Seakeeper Gyro Technology how it works Seakeeper in action Other reviews Conclusion What is Seakeeper Gyro 7000  The 7000 Gyro system is designed for boats 35-feet and up to 55ft. SeaKeeper dampens rolling by tilting the gyro through the rams at angles determined by a the motion sensing computer.  Seakeeper Gyro uses a device known as a
Control
Moment Gyro.
The gyro exerts a powerful righting force that smoothes out boat roll. Like the control moment gyros used to position spacecraft since space is a vacuum, SeaKeeper uses a flywheel spinning in a vacuum. SeaKeeper does come with a lofty price, with the Gyro 7000 costing $55,000 (plus installation costs). This is early days and costs could well be more affordable the concept is adopted en mass.. Seakeeper Gyro Technology (how it works) We all know the spinning top theory. Spin it faster and
the top will stand more upright  The SeaKeeper gyro is called a Controlled Moment Gyroscope. Inside the gyro is a spinning flywheel which like the spinning top analogy resists roll by trying to remain upright. The hydraulic arms then tilt the gyro fore and aft to transfer the gyroscopes energy to the boat. The Seakeeper Gyro unit tilts fore and aft in its housing to control sideways (athwartship) roll. Gyroscopes control motion in the plane 90 degrees to the tilt of the gyro. The gyro sophisticated sensors determine the attitude of the boat and then make corrections using the energy stored in the gyro. How does SeaKeeper compare to The Mitsubishi ARG gyro or other gyros. One of the improvements SeaKeeper has on the ARG gyro is that it operates in a near vacuum. This reduces resistance allowing for much faster spinning. less resistance means less power to spin. Faster spinning means that the weight of the gyro can be less. There are many problems that had to be addressed working in a vacuum. One of the SeaKeeper secrets is the cooling system for the bearings, which in a vacuum heat cannot dissipate through air. Due to the use of a vacuum the gyro is energy efficient compared to other gyros only needed 3KW for the warm up period of 25 minutes and then 1 1/2 KW to maintain. The SeaKeeper gyro creates 3 1/2 tons of force by spinning its relatively small flywheel very fast 10,000 rpm. The gyro weighs about 900 lbs and its size is 31.4 inches by 38.7 inches wide by 26.4 inches deep . Maintenance is annual refreshment of the vacuum. SeaKeeper Gyro in action  Seakeeper
Gyro
This video demonstrates boat roll on this sports fisherman at zero speed.
Watch the gyro ball in the cockpit floor as it starts to move fore and aft and then see the boat roll smooth out.
Other reviews boat test video Rob Smith from BoatTest talks to Bill from Seakeeper. They discuses weight and position of the gyro, and improvement on other gyros on the market
This is an expensive option. However when you look at the total investment already made in a Motor Yacht the option makes more sense. You can enjoy your investment without resorting to seasickness patches.
Other factors come into account such as navigation. Imagine trying to use binoculars to see where you are, but cannot see because of a blurred image.
Safety is another concern. Seasickness or just a case of queasiness can drain strength from anyone.
The other advantage compared to vanes or fins is that there is no drag associated causing loss of fuel and performance.
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