IPS

[rubberduck]

OK, having spent ridiculous amounts of money expanding the business, we now very nearly have things in place to leave the kids to it, almost!
So we are looking at taking some time out, within arms length, but a definite back seat as of next year.
One of the things we are looking at is a bigger boat on the south coast, an Absolute 47 or even the 52 / 56, which are very similar to the superb 41 we have now. Anyone any knowledge of the 52, have never seen one in the flesh.
So just how bad is IPS, or how good ?
Would also be looking at side power bow thruster & stabs retro fit, how viable is the latter ?

 

[Nigelpickin]

OK, having spent ridiculous amounts of money expanding the business, we now very nearly have things in place to leave the kids to it, almost!
So we are looking at taking some time out, within arms length, but a definite back seat as of next year.
One of the things we are looking at is a bigger boat on the south coast, an Absolute 47 or even the 52 / 56, which are very similar to the superb 41 we have now. Anyone any knowledge of the 52, have never seen one in the flesh.
So just how bad is IPS, or how good ?
Would also be looking at side power bow thruster & stabs retro fit, how viable is the latter ?

Sounds very similar to what we've done, business is doing better without me if the monthly reports I'm getting are sound!

You can look back at some of my posts for my view on IPS - it's a very nice way to relieve the stress of tighter berths, wind and swell, twisted anchors or whatever prevailing issue is messing with ones brain power. I find the fuel consumption to be very reasonable for my boat and thus far I had not one issue with my Volvo system. 3 seasons and 385 hours.
We've just done Falmouth to Vigo, (around 1200nm I think, ann is keeping count), and the uncertainty of a new marina every two or three days is less angstful than it would be for me were it not for the control that I have at the helm.

Now - I know that there's not much that can't be replicated with variable speed thrusters and a good skipper; we are travelling with a 60' boat crewed by a couple of pros and Rich can plant the thing in a 59' gap.

I'd also say that our next boat will almost certainly not be IPS as we will be slowing down and perhaps even sailing!

But right now IPS suits us really well. I will gladly report to the forum on my 500 hour service, that should be next year and I'm not in the least bit partisan toward this piece of kit or that piece of tech so hopefully my account is pretty fair.

Service costs are higher, perhaps 3k per year all in - fuel savings are certainly going to get close to covering the extra if your average annual consumption is around 6000ltrs. (In the right boat).

Any specific questions please ask and should you find yourself in the Algarve in the next few months I'll gladly take you out for a spin!
Enjoy the process and good luck

 

[IDAMAY]

Thank you kindly Nigel but your boat handling isn't at all dusty, IPS or no. Now I just have to get to Portimao without a c### up!

 

[jfm]

...side power bow thruster & stabs retro fit, how viable is the latter ?

I have just seen up close a retrofit of sidepower's smallest fins on my brother's boat. Entirely viable, but you gotta (a) have space under the floor to fit the actuators, which are incredibly small these days in the case of sidepower; (b) be able to run the hydraulic hoses and if you cant than consider electric fins but these will be taller so not as easy to fit under the floor; (c) have space for the hydraulic pack or electricals, probably in engine room

Bowthruster is piece of cake obviously. Boat will already have a thruster of some sort so you might be able to use the existing tunnel, or you can easily fit a bigger tunnel if you want

 

[MapisM]

Entirely viable

As I understood, RD asked in the context of considering an absolute 47.
Each to their own, but I'd rather change boat altogether than fit fin stabs on such hull...

 

[CharlieAlpha]

I can echo everything Nigelpickin says about said about IPS almost to the hour - I love it - a great confidence booster for close quarters

 

[jfm]

As I understood, RD asked in the context of considering an absolute 47.
Each to their own, but I'd rather change boat altogether than fit fin stabs on such hull...

Hmm, not sure i agree. RD loves Absolute and is thinking of 47 or 52 - perfectly fine shortlist. If he loves those boats and wants one, then I see nothing worng with fitting fins. Usual issues apply - can it physically be done? Choice of electric vs hydraulic. Is gyro a better answer? Where can hardware be fitted? But if +ve answers to those questions can be found then I see nothing at all wrong with an Abs 47/52 (or any 25 knot mid-sized boat) with fins.

 

[MapisM]

I see nothing at all wrong with an Abs 47/52 (or any 25 knot mid-sized boat) with fins.

Well, in a sense there isn't any choice which is positively "right" or "wrong", with boats.
But (assuming that RD is meaning the HT 47/52 - the Abs 52 Navetta is obviously a different kettle of fish), fin stabs surely aren't one of the most popular upgrades for 50' sportcruisers, are they...?
Coming to think of it, I'm not aware of any builder who even offer them as options, on that sort of boats!

 

[jfm]

Agreed! But sometimes customers can be ahead of builders! Every boat, and every boat mod, has pros/cons. For sure there are several pros/cons to weigh up when choosing fin or gyro, for example. But fin isn't wrong in my book, and I have much empathy with RD's thought process - I see nothing wrong with a 50 foot planning hull with fins, especially in UK waters if the least seasicky ride for Mrs RD is the #1 priority

 

[aquatom]

Have a look at Humpree electric stabilizers. We have fitted some of there equipment to boats and the quality is extremely good. http://www.humphree.com/trim-and-stabilisation

 

[jfm]

The dubstep noise of humphree fins is a bit worrying though, isn't it?

 

[vas]

The dubstep noise of humphree fins is a bit worrying though, isn't it?

with such small motors (or are they subwoofers??? ) I'm sure you can do a proper soundprrofing.
If not, you'll just have to find the right wind over tide situation to enjoy the music

When fins drop down to 5K I'll consider them...

V.

 

[rubberduck]

The dubstep noise of humphree fins is a bit worrying though, isn't it?

Now 1 keyboard further away from being able to afford it

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

OK, having spent ridiculous amounts of money expanding the business, we now very nearly have things in place to leave the kids to it, almost!
So we are looking at taking some time out, within arms length, but a definite back seat as of next year.
One of the things we are looking at is a bigger boat on the south coast, an Absolute 47 or even the 52 / 56, which are very similar to the superb 41 we have now. Anyone any knowledge of the 52, have never seen one in the flesh.
So just how bad is IPS, or how good ?
Would also be looking at side power bow thruster & stabs retro fit, how viable is the latter ?

If two cabins work well for you I would go for the Absolute 47 which is much faster with IPS600 (Volvo D6 435hp) [38-40 knots max] and is IMO a better engineered boat to the 52 (30/32 knots max with same engines). 52 is just powered okay with IPS600.
Okay the 52 gives you patio door, main deck galley, and the three cabins.

Absolute 56 is slow with twin engines, triple engines are okay but remains IMO three problems.
If you want a triple engine IPS boat though my first look will always be the Azimut 55S which is an interesting tech concept. Hull is three engines IPS dedicated.
Surely the Azimut 55S is the best triple engined IPS boat on the market and the trade off is incredible sea keeping and economy numbers out of this world for 55 feet sport yacht.
Problem is the 55S sell for a lot of money both used and new. Think it starts from about 1.2 million EUROS new ex VAT, while used they sell at about 1.1.
A different league to what the Absoule 56 would sell, but to be fair the Azimut is a much newer boat.

Here is an idea of the 55S technology see how the boat works well by using only two engines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxGF0UlWPWE

As for the argument of gyro and active fin stabilizers, I am all for gyros in boats of this size.
Possibly personally for planning boats I would take that size up to 23/24 meters.
Active fin stabilizers means drag and planning hulls are about minimizing it to go faster and more efficient.
I think it is a bit of oxymoron with fins, unless they do not have a place they go in and become invisible (flash with the hull) when not used.

 

[rubberduck]

Thanks PY, not looking to spend that sort of money as it will sit for extended periods unused while I get dragged all over the world by Nicky !
On the Abs 47, where would a giro fit ? Is there space under the rear cabin ?
Also, do you know what years the 47 was produced ?

 

[Whitelighter]

How much are the Humphee stabs?

 

[jfm]

On the Abs 47, where would a giro fit ? Is there space under the rear cabin ?

No way I'm afraid. These are big beasts, and they need height. The 47's aft cabin floor is already stepped to follow the v of the hull, so you can be sure there is no big void underneath it. Remember also, stabiliser size doesn't drop proportionately with a smaller boat: a boat like the Abs 47 will be hard to stabilise at anchor (no problem underway) because its roll period will be short and it will react fast to a roll-inducing wave. Those features lead you to gyro more than fins actually, at least if at-anchor stabilisation is your priority but I doubt a gyro will fit unless you chop up a lot of boat and create the space (underway, fins are always better than gyro once the sea gets big) .
In truth, if you want stabilised boating (and it is a whole nuther world...) you ought to consider some different boats from Abs47, but I was answering the question you asked!

 

[jfm]

...when not used.

You wound never not use fins. They're on all the time.

 

[benjenbav]

You wound never not use fins. They're on all the time.

From the OP's post it sounds as though for the first time in a long time he and Mrs OP are going to have the time to kick back a little bit and take in the scenery. In my book, that would be an awful long time to sit at anchor regretting not having stabs of one sort or another.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

No way I'm afraid. These are big beasts, and they need height. The 47's aft cabin floor is already stepped to follow the v of the hull, so you can be sure there is no big void underneath it.

Isn't that why Seakeeper go for 2 smaller gyros rather than 1 large one sometimes? I still don't think they'd fit under the aft cabin of any 50ft sports cruiser but you might just squeeze 2 smaller gyros in the engine bay. Agree on your general comment. Probably better to consider a larger shaftdrive boat with the space to fit either a gyro or fins