Where to locate a gyro?

[jfm]

I think the strength thing is being over worried here. We're talking about making a couple of stringers using perhaps 250mm high and 100 wide of foam covered in 20mm thick glass+epoxy, bonded well to an already very decent hull, between transom and bulkhead. And continued a bit forward of bulkhead if desired. Crikey, this sk9's weight (including dynamically) and stabilisation forces (=no dynamics to consider) will be a walk in the park for that structure.

 

[[2068]]

I think the strength thing is being over worried here. We're talking about making a couple of stringers using perhaps 250mm high and 100 wide of foam covered in 20mm thick glass+epoxy, bonded well to an already very decent hull, between transom and bulkhead. And continued a bit forward of bulkhead if desired. Crikey, this sk9's weight (including dynamically) and stabilisation forces (=no dynamics to consider) will be a walk in the park for that structure.

And where are your figures to back that up?
Maths is more important here than intuition imho

 

[MapisM]

stabilisation forces (=no dynamics to consider)

I'm not sure to see what you mean, J.
I can think of cruising scenarios in which stabilization AND dynamic forces are playing together.
Or are you suggesting to NOT use the thing while cruising in heavy seas, since it's less effective than fins anyway?

 

[Portofino]

Will it fit through a window aperture in the mid cabin ,considering they both need replacing and sometime soon somebody is gonna open up the sides of your boat .
If so then reconsider the space under the bed -mid cabin .
Can,t see you having the Geny on all night ,most nights it clams down in the med and blows up inthe afternoons anyway .

It's just I think although expensive ,they need to be well looked after /protected .
Just seems too much of a risk putting it in that locker --from keeping it dry n safe point of view

 

[petem]

It's just I think although expensive ,they need to be well looked after /protected .
Just seems too much of a risk putting it in that locker --from keeping it dry n safe point of view

I'm inclined to agree with Porto. And that idea of an extractor fan to keep them dry just sounds daft to me. What's the fan gonna do, run 24/7/365?

 

[Bouba]

Just imagine a huge machine spinning impossibly fast exploding and how grateful you would be that it wasn't under your bed

 

[vas]

Just imagine a huge machine spinning impossibly fast exploding and how grateful you would be that it wasn't under your bed

hm, that alone and the fact that you may hole your hull and sink, would make me try and find a way to fit the gyro on the "spoiler"

V.

 

[Portofino]

Exploding ??--- how real is that risk
It can be turned off at bed time --- unless you are allready happy with Geny hum .
Aside during the day @ anchor /lunch etc ,more likely to take a person (s) out on the stern cum bathing flatform --in the Med -it's an outdoorsy kinda life --stern is busy with folks

Any body actually here of an exploding gyro recently ?

 

[Bouba]

Exploding ??--- how real is that risk
It can be turned off at bed time --- unless you are allready happy with Geny hum .
Aside during the day @ anchor /lunch etc ,more likely to take a person (s) out on the stern cum bathing flatform --in the Med -it's an outdoorsy kinda life --stern is busy with folks

Any body actually here of an exploding gyro recently ?

So it's just a coincidence that it's the same shape as a giant grenade?

 

[stelican]

Mike F
Think you need a bigger boat!

 

[SammyB]

Having opted for the SK9 on our boat (MC6) I would add that due to it's position -
factory fitted,in the engine room just behind the master cabin, underneath the Genny that there is no way you could sleep with it in operation! We factor in the spool down time as it takes a while to slow down so that I can get to sleep.
Tbh we find it useful when trying to cook/entertain but are happy to be rocked to sleep by any swell.
Hope that helps

 

[MapisM]

Will it fit through a window aperture in the mid cabin ,considering they both need replacing and sometime soon somebody is gonna open up the sides of your boat .

Happy to stand corrected from Deleted User if I'm wrong, but I believe that while the external glass is in one piece, there are structural pillars behind it.
And if so, there's no way that a gyro could go through those windows also after removing the glass.

Regardless, the more I read in this thread, the less I feel inclined to consider a gyro, also for a potential future installation on my DP - in spite of a perfect spot that there would be for it in the stern lazarette... :nonchalance:

 

[MapisM]

Mike F
Think you need a bigger boat!

LMAO, nail and head spring to mind.
Eventually, you suggested what he wanted to hear from the beginning of this thread, I reckon!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

It seems that this matter is beginning to progress thanks to the power of the forum. The representative from Seakeeper Europe saw this thread (ciao Filippo) and called me and we had a long chat. It seems that there may have been something lost in translation between Nemo and I. Apparently what they actually said was that they could locate the gyro in either the spoiler compartment or the engine compartment but their preference was the engine compartment (I can see why now - more of that later). Then I was contacted by Ventura who made me a very good offer of installing the gyro in either the spoiler or the engine compartment, according to my choice, for the same price. Basically they said that nobody would put their c*** on the block to guarantee absolutely the structural integrity of the spoiler compartment and for that reason wanted to give me the choice of putting the gyro in the engine compartment

Subsequent to that, they sent me some pics of a Ferretti 630 with an OEM Mitsubishi ARG gyro installed and to my surprise it is not at the rear of the engine compartment as I first thought but at the forward end

This puts the gyro pretty much over the CoG of the boat and not only that but its mounted straight on to the existing engine bearers. The SK9 has slightly different dimensions but I am told it will go in the same position. There are some issues with relocating the primary fuel filters on my boat and access to the fuel tank valves and gearboxes will be impeded but on balance I'm happy to go with the SK9 mounted in this position so I've placed an order. Further good news is that Seakeeper have a SK9 in stock in the USA so it can be in Europe in 1 month max by seafreight which suits my timing

To answer jfm's question, the actual work will be carried out by a yard in Barcelona which is owned by the owner of Ventura so there is a connection there and of course they are already familiar with Ferretti boats

I will try to post some pics of the installation on this thread as it progresses

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

That's great news Mike, and undoubtedly the best installation location for the gyro. How do they physically get the unit in there - is there good enough access through the cockpit floor, or does it have to go through the saloon floor?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Having opted for the SK9 on our boat (MC6) I would add that due to it's position -
factory fitted,in the engine room just behind the master cabin, underneath the Genny that there is no way you could sleep with it in operation! We factor in the spool down time as it takes a while to slow down so that I can get to sleep.
Tbh we find it useful when trying to cook/entertain but are happy to be rocked to sleep by any swell.
Hope that helps

Thanks SammyB. On my boat, the crew cabin and fuel tank is located between the engine compartment and the master cabin so I'm hoping that if it is ever necessary we can sleep with both the genny and SK9 running but of course we wont know that until we try it

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

That's great news Mike, and undoubtedly the best installation location for the gyro. How do they physically get the unit in there - is there good enough access through the cockpit floor, or does it have to go through the saloon floor?

Hi Jimmy. No they should be able to lower the gyro through the main access hatch to the engine compartment in the cockpit but I guess there'll be some awkward handling to get it forward of the engines. Worst comes to the worst, the whole cockpit floor can be removed. Its secured with some bolted clamps and is designed to be removed if an engine ever has to come out

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Hi Jimmy. No they should be able to lower the gyro through the main access hatch to the engine compartment in the cockpit but I guess there'll be some awkward handling to get it forward of the engines. Worst comes to the worst, the whole cockpit floor can be removed. Its secured with some bolted clamps and is designed to be removed if an engine ever has to come out

Sounds good - should be all done by the time we've chased each other round the Alps again...

 

[BartW]

good going Mike,
you've found the best position of all options undoubtly,

soon you'll be in "stabilised boats" league
and your boat will stand out from the crowd in a couple of years when you're buying your SL

you're looking forward to a stable summer season
congratulations!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Sounds good - should be all done by the time we've chased each other round the Alps again...

Er I think thats by the time I've chased you around the Alps or more likely given up chasing you