Pneumatic active fin stabilizers

Discussion in 'Powerboats' started by Brian@BNE, Jun 20, 2012.

  1. Brian@BNE
    Joined: Jan 2010
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    Location: Brisbane, Australia

    Brian@BNE Senior Member

    These systems have been around for a few years now.
    http://www.gyrogalestabilizers.com/

    Reading the marketing copy doesn't inspire me with a lot of confidence, but a few folks have the 4 fin versions fitted and are very happy with them. Does anyone here have any experience with them?
     
  2. keysdisease
    Joined: Mar 2006
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    Location: South Florida USA

    keysdisease Senior Member

    Fin stabilizers are pretty standard on yachts over about 80ft here, you see them on smaller yachts too just not as common.

    What is new to the market is a true gyro stabilizer, that is no fins, the gyroscope keeps the vessel trimmed. These seem to be the most popular for yachts:

    http://www.seakeeper.com/


    This type gyro stabilizer has been standard on ships for decades.

    Steve
     
  3. Brian@BNE
    Joined: Jan 2010
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    Location: Brisbane, Australia

    Brian@BNE Senior Member

    Yes, the gyro units are pretty slick. But take up a fair bit of space. Nonetheless, I'll try and get some prices for their 8000 model. And when I get back to the US in a few days I'll try and work out if it could fit.

    As to the pneumatic thingies, quite a lot of views to my post but no one offering actual experience. That in itself tells something. Seems to me there aren't that many installed, and although there are a few happy customers there are also a few saying they were hopeless. And they look to need a fair bit of space for the various components anyway. Maybe they are the 'Beta' in a VHS vs Beta situation.
     
  4. keysdisease
    Joined: Mar 2006
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    Location: South Florida USA

    keysdisease Senior Member

    The Gryo probably takes up less space than the combined components of the fin systems, and without puncturing the hull.

    As for the fin systems, there are indeed plenty installed, and like anything else they come with maintenance.

    Steve
     
  5. drailton
    Joined: Jul 2012
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    Location: Vietnam

    drailton Douglas E. Railton

    Hattaras in their LRC line up years ago used a pneumatic stabilizer system I believe called AirStab. Spent lots of time fxing these units from Maine to Panama to Alaska. Problems from electronics to being noisy in certain conditions when the fins reversed from the venting of the air, the stabilizers would pump from the compression of the air.

    There has to be substantial improvements since then, but when I look at some of the statements on the websites such as air responds quicker, I don’t understand that from an engineering perspective. Hydraulic fluid is approximately 800 times more dense than water. By nature, generally considered not compressible, while the action of a pneumatic system operates in a compressible environment. Would be interested to see an explanation. I don’t see the claim that the system operates better with the compression of the air to reduce the fin angle of attack. That was one of the problems in the AirAtab systems that caused the fins to pump in certain speed/seaway conditions. The quality stabilizer systems using hydraulics all have sensitivity or other similar controls for speed. Hydraulics are very reliable, just because they use a higher pressure does not make them more susceptible to failure. Lots of hype to get through. All active systems require maintenance. Anti-rolling gyros such as the Mitsubishi, Seakeeper and others offer a elegant solution to maintenance but I have been told that they are not as good as active systems in heavy seas.
     
  6. Brian@BNE
    Joined: Jan 2010
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    Location: Brisbane, Australia

    Brian@BNE Senior Member

    I spent some time chatting to a guy with the Gyro-gale units. He repaired them when he bought the boat, and after a trip to Alaska they needed repairing again. He seemed happy enough with their performance, when working correctly.

    I have decided to go with Naiads.
     

  7. drailton
    Joined: Jul 2012
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    Location: Vietnam

    drailton Douglas E. Railton

    Lots of experience with Naiads. Great product.
     
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