seakeeper vs vector stabilization fins

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pascalsunseeker

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Dear forummembers,

I own a boat in the south of france. The boat is a sunseeker predator 60 2012. I want to install or a seekeeper 9 or vector fin stabilization from sleipner. I have asked quotion for both systems. What i have heard is that underway (+-20 knots) the fins are effective and the seakeeper not, but for anchor the seakeeper would be better on anchor. Do somewhone have experience whit both systems en can recommand me something and give me some advice ? thank you Pascal
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/private.php?do=showpm&pmid=944232#E5uQovOhkKThEpb3.99
 
Yes, gyros are really only effective at zero or displacement speeds, whereas fins have traditionally been more effective from lower speeds up, whilst underway. There are even some boats with both fins and gyro because of this, however due to recent developments, it is now possible to install zero speed fins. In fact, Sleipner make some very effective ones, with the fins being curved to utilise lift. Most other makers, such as ABT and Wesmar etc. also now supply their own zero speed versions. Potential downsides to fins is their possibility to creep at anchor, and for gyro, the requirement to spool-up before use and down afterwards, all with the need to run the gennie (potentially noisier) or shore power for the AC supply. This has already been covered in some detail on this forum, but anything that happened before yesterday can be difficult to find on here. Doubtless though, there will be some first-hand experts along later, so keep watching - oh, and welcome to the madhouse, by the way.
 
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Hi Pascal,
welcome here,

We have retrofit zero speed fin stabs on our 70ft boat,
Although I have no personal experience with gyro’s
the general knowledge here is that gyro’s are much less effective during navigation

you have a rather “fast” planning boat,
Drag from fins becomes more important the higher the speed,
So if you mainly sail short distances at fast planing speed, in settled weather, than you are better off with a gyro,

If however you travel long distances, a lot at slower speeds, and not much more than 20kn,
(as I do) imo fins are the preferred choice

I have heard that there are boats with both systems, (gyro would be better at anker than fins)
We don’t feel the need for better performance at anker with our zero speed fin stabs.
But again no personal experience with gyro’s.


I think a retrofit of a gyro is slightly more easy than fins, the installation cost of fins might be higher compared to a gyro
Also space availability is a issue,
In my case there was no space (practically) for one or more gyro’s
However there was space and acces to install fins (the drives) under the floor in our master cabin.

The fins we have installed are CMC electric fins,
We are very pleased with the performance, and I think that electric fins are more easy for a retrofit than hydraulic fins,
Another advantage of this electric system is the low power consumption, during navigation we run the stabs from the power of the engine alternators through 2 x 5kw invertors.
At anker we can run the fins from the battery’s for a short while (and ofcause from the genny)

But I think that CMC is not interested in smaller systems than ours,
afaik our system is the smallest they ever installed, they do mainly bigger system.


Here is a report of our stab installation project:
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...el-engineering-question&highlight=stabilisers

and in this thread from post #610, more pics from the installation
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?295561-Blue-Angel-(Canados-70s)-Rebuild-thread/page61

where are you in SOF?
There are quite a few posters on here with boats in Cote D’azur,
Some have experience with gyro’s and or stabs,
they might come along soon to share their opinions.
 
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Dear Bart,

Thank you for your advice ! I receive the quotation from the vector fins stabilzation next week, I hope the price isn't to bad :) My boat is in Beaulieu sur Mer almost in front of the famous restaurant Africa Queen. The name of the boat is Lady Ice. Where are you located ? greetings
 
Humphree electric fins will run all night at anchor from a 24volt battery bank. As they are electric they can turn through 360 degreees to prevent the boat from creeping forward over the anchor. Some will say that they are noisy but only the early ones were with straight cut gears. The new ones have helical gears and are very quiet. It's worth looking into http://www.humphree.com/trim-and-stabilisation.
 
pascalsunseeker said:
Dear Bart,

My boat is in Beaulieu sur Mer almost in front of the famous restaurant Africa Queen. The name of the boat is Lady Ice. Where are you located ? greetings
Click to expand...
Nice place to have the boat, I like that marina !

the last 3 seasons we were and we still are in Porto Montengro (Tivat Montenegro),
before that we were in SOF,
coming summer in Salerno Italy

regarding your question,
you could send a PM to:
NickH he has a 60ft Princess with a seakeeper (retrofit)
and
Jfm, he has Sleipner vector fins in his 78ft Fairline, and is installing the same system in his brother's 70ft Aquastar, right now.
I think he's too busy with that, otherwise he would have posted in this thread ;)
both forumites are based in PV Antibes
 
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