Whitelighter
Well-Known Member
Perhaps they ,ran the modular way you can use multiple small gyros if space is tight or you want an option for less stabilising with less power consumption when full stabilisation isn't required
Gyro stabilizers
- Thread starter curiouskb
- Start date
Perhaps they ,ran the modular way you can use multiple small gyros if space is tight or you want an option for less stabilising with less power consumption when full stabilisation isn't required
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Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
You can that with Seakeepers
Whitelighter
Well-Known Member
Did not know that.
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Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Well in truth I dont know of an installation where several Seakeepers have been installed in a row but certainly it is quite common to have 2 or more of them on larger boats or boats where installation space is tight
stillwaters
Well-Known Member
They may be, however I was only offered the Seakeeper 5 @50,000euros +vat list price on the Navetta 52 just a couple of weeks ago at Dusseldorf.
Although I understand this thread is to do with gyros, and I have no wish to drift it, but as the debate seems to centre so strongly on a choice of one gyro over another, would I be right in thinking that gyros are now being seen as preferable to fins? Interestingly, because the installation was more compact, one builder I know of has decided to only offer the Sleipner fin set-up on a new model, at a list price of £56,500 +vat.
On a different point about gyros, a comment was made earlier about the comparative proven track record of Seakeeper. Although I'm sure it's a fine product, surely even it is still in its relative infancy, and therefore its longer term reliability, especially compared to fins, will only be proven over time.
jfm
Well-Known Member
Nope. There are things that fins unquestionably do better than gyros, and vice versa. The choice involves identifying your priorities and making compromises, unless you fit both. I had a choice in a new build, twice, and deliberately chose fins, for example. There are also practical issues, like which will fit.
The big unknown is bearing life, and the fact that boat builders sometimes don't install seakeepers in a place where you can reach them to do a bearing change. Nick H on here is the first case of bearing failure that I've heard of
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curiouskb
Well-Known Member
I was told by an engineer that retrofitting the fin probably requires considerable strengthening of the fins anchoring points in the P43 due to its relatively thin resin infused hull bottom. High cost.
Just been invited on board a Ferretti 50 fitted with a MC2 20. The boat weighs 25 tons so it is a bit "undersized" for the gyro rated for under 20 tons. Nevertheless I am impressed by the reduction in roll esp at anchor. I did not do any period counting etc, just simple observation and feel. The gyro effect came in only after the first wave passed under. The controls are simple, just on and off. Dials show the percentage of max rpm attained and also the temperature of the primary and secondary bearings. Maintanence only occasional bearing lubrication through the grease nipple. Seems effective and simple enough.
BartW
Well-Known Member
do you mean that during the first wave there is no (or little) stabilization effect ?
in that case I wouldn't be impressed (?)
but good to hear that there are real installations in real boats ;-),
hopefully soon one can compare with the efficiency of SK
TK Blue MAX
Well-Known Member
I would be very nervous about maintenance by a grease nipple ,too much grease= wrecked bearing, too little grease=wrecked bearing ?????
stillwaters
Well-Known Member
Re the extra strengthening requirement for fins compared to a gyro, my recent quote for either was similar for the parts, but the additional £20k +vat for the fin installation was due to the additional strengthening materials and labour required.
Can I ask which country the Ferretti you were on is in? More to the point, do you happen to know if there are any UK suppliers/installers, as my google search seems to suggest that all installations have been to Italian boats, such as Apreamares, Mangustas and the like?
Good to read though that you have now experienced one of these, hopefully this will help you in your own decision making. As Bart says though, rather surprising that it didn't react until a wave had passed, was it that it just didn't react fully initially, but maybe partially? You also say you were impressed by it "especially" at anchor, does this mean that it was not that good underway, either at displacement or planing speeds?
Sorry about all the questions, but the dimensions of the 20 at 61cm cubed do seem to make this unit more workable than the SK for many of us, maybe?
jrudge
Well-Known Member
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Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Do you mind me asking how you get that invite and who you are talking to on the MC2? I wasn't very impressed by the MC2 personnel at Dusseldorf and the single dealer seemed to be Dutch so I came away thinking that actually they weren't ready to properly market the product yet
stillwaters
Well-Known Member
And in Utrecht in the middle of Holland , I believe, so do they also handle the installation work, otherwise this could lead to a blame game later on if problems develop. Typically, Dutch prices also tend to be higher than UK, hence my earlier question about there being any UK dealers.
curiouskb
Well-Known Member
I am now living in Hong Kong and this Ferretti 50 boat test is arranged by the local MC2 dealer through the courtesy of the boat owner. It is a boat yard retrofit and the installation seems straight forward enough. I think there are 3 or 4 boats retrofitted with this MC2 here. Interestingly one is a 80 footer Chinese wooden junk fitted with 2 MC2, a very heavy boat indeed but I was told the owner is happy with it. We had force 4 to 5 wind and 2 to 3 feet swell. We just let boat drift along beam sea and it is a much more comfortable ride than my P43 without gyro. Did not do any measurements and roll periods etc. Should be wonderful lying at anchor.
There are also a number of SK5 boats in Hong Kong. Talked to their boat captains, they are happy with the anti-roll effect but complained of "quite a bit of minor troubles and headaches" with them. Dont know what are these "troubles" though.
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Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Thanks to stillwaters and curiouskb. Anyone know if there is a list of MC2 dealers in Europe?
jimmy_the_builder
Well-Known Member
Have you tried the Quick sales manager that we met at LIBS?
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Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Nope. I'll have to try to find his business card
jimmy_the_builder
Well-Known Member
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Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
cheers Jimmy
stillwaters
Well-Known Member
Here is some update info on the supply of MC2 Gyros in the UK, for anyone who might be interested.
Quick have this week set up an office in Hythe Marina Village. For the time being, they will not be selling direct to the public, but have made an agreement with Hamble Yacht Services and Ancasta Group to be the official Quick MC2 installation point in the UK. Purchase at the moment would actually be via their partner company, AJS Technical Services, and their list price of the 20, which they say is fine for up to 25 ton boats, is 24,900 euros +vat, excluding installation. A 15% new launch promotional discount is offered for orders with at least 30% deposit being paid before March 31st, which would lower the price to 21,165 euros +vat. Initial deliveries are anticipated for late March or early April and Quick will provide full after sales support regarding product quality or spares worldwide. I am still currently awaiting a promised quote for installation, though this could presumably be subject to degree of work involved.
Incidentally, they have also retained their inherited Dutch supplier, Cloud International near Utrecht, though I have no details of their handling of installations.
This info has come from Quick's Area Sales Manager, Oyvind Andreas Karlsen, who would be happy to hear from anyone interested in contacting him, however as he will be in the Middle East for the next two weeks he has suggested his colleague, Andy Sims, is also available.
Contacts:
akarlsen@oakseatrade.com
asims@quickitaly.com
Quick have this week set up an office in Hythe Marina Village. For the time being, they will not be selling direct to the public, but have made an agreement with Hamble Yacht Services and Ancasta Group to be the official Quick MC2 installation point in the UK. Purchase at the moment would actually be via their partner company, AJS Technical Services, and their list price of the 20, which they say is fine for up to 25 ton boats, is 24,900 euros +vat, excluding installation. A 15% new launch promotional discount is offered for orders with at least 30% deposit being paid before March 31st, which would lower the price to 21,165 euros +vat. Initial deliveries are anticipated for late March or early April and Quick will provide full after sales support regarding product quality or spares worldwide. I am still currently awaiting a promised quote for installation, though this could presumably be subject to degree of work involved.
Incidentally, they have also retained their inherited Dutch supplier, Cloud International near Utrecht, though I have no details of their handling of installations.
This info has come from Quick's Area Sales Manager, Oyvind Andreas Karlsen, who would be happy to hear from anyone interested in contacting him, however as he will be in the Middle East for the next two weeks he has suggested his colleague, Andy Sims, is also available.
Contacts:
akarlsen@oakseatrade.com
asims@quickitaly.com
