The innovative Seakeeper employs a gyro stabilizer to minimize boat roll by as much as 95 percent.
By Gregg Mansfield
Contrary to common assumptions, not every boater has an ironclad stomach. For some, encountering a few turbulent waves on the water can lead to discomfort.
To combat seasickness, boaters frequently use over-the-counter medications and acupressure bands. What if there was a way to eliminate seasickness while on a boat? The Seakeeper gyro stabilizer could be the key to an enjoyable day at sea.
“For newcomers to boating, it alleviates some anxiety and creates a more enjoyable experience, reducing seasickness significantly,” said Kelsey Albina, communications manager of Seakeeper Inc. “The lateral roll is often responsible for seasickness, hence enabling individuals who previously struggled with boating to have that chance now.”
Established over 15 years ago, Seakeeper introduced gyro stabilization technology into the recreational sector, previously exclusive to large vessels. Now, even boats as small as 27 feet can take advantage of this stabilization technology. The Maryland-based company aims to make stabilization accessible to everyone.
“Our aim is to stabilize every boat, creating a future where people don’t recall the days of boats rolling,” Albina commented.
This year, we had the chance to test a Seakeeper 2 on a 30-foot center-console boat in Miami. Without the Seakeeper 2’s stabilizing effect, the V-bottom vessel was jostled by wakes from passing boats in the bay. After activating the Seakeeper, the boat stabilized in about 25 minutes, completely unaffected by the wakes thereafter.
Two large individuals on the boat attempted to shift their weight, but the center-console remained steady, credited to the gyroscope rotating at 9,000 RPM behind the leaning post. Albina noted that the target for every boat is at least an 80 percent roll reduction, and during the Miami demonstration, it felt nearly like 100 percent reduction.
When Seakeeper launched in 2003, the challenge was to scale down a bulky gyroscope, previously impractical for recreational use. Although gyroscopes have been utilized on cargo and military vessels for over a century, designing one for smaller boats presented unique obstacles.
“In older photographs, the individual standing next to a gyroscope appears minuscule, so it was impractical for many uses,” Albina remarked.
After five years of development, engineers found a solution and launched the first Seakeeper in 2008, focusing on vessels exceeding 50 feet in length. Currently, the company offers seven recreational models and five HD models for boats 27 feet and longer. Albina mentioned that roughly 75 percent of Seakeepers are installed on new boats, but older vessels can also be retrofitted with the gyroscopic stabilizer.
“The most remarkable aspect of our product is that we spin the flywheel within a vacuum, allowing us to reduce weight, halve energy requirements, and manage heat generated inside the vacuum due to our patented cooling technology,” she explained. “We have transformed the age-old concept of using gyroscopes for stabilization into a viable solution for the everyday boater.”
Seakeeper has miniaturized the gyroscopic stabilizer to allow use in boats measuring 27 feet or more. The flywheel spins up to 9,000 RPM to prevent a vessel from rolling.
The vacuum seal enables the flywheel to spin three times faster than it would in the presence of air resistance, protecting essential components like bearings and the motor from the tough marine environment.
The core component of the Seakeeper is the flywheel, which can rotate at speeds of up to 557 mph, generating sufficient force to counteract rolling. A cooling system removes heat from the flywheel and releases it via a glycol/seawater mixture. Each unit features active control smart technology that assesses sea conditions and adjusts accordingly.
The smallest model—Seakeeper 2—weights 414 pounds and is slightly larger than a cooler (24.8” length x 25.5” width x 20” height). In contrast, the Seakeeper 9, designed for boats measuring 50 to 60 feet, weighs 1,210 pounds with dimensions of 33.5” length, 35.6” width, and 28.3” height.
Seakeeper collaborates with over 200 boat manufacturers who have already specified the appropriate Seakeeper model for their vessels. For retrofits, a Seakeeper dealer assesses whether a boat is suitable for the installation.
“Space is the primary obstacle,” she stated. “Many boats aren’t designed with additional space for equipment already when they are completed.”
Renovations typically require reinforcing the stringers along with some fiberglass work. The dealer also evaluates if the boat needs an extra battery to operate the Seakeeper 2 or Seakeeper 3, Albina stated. Larger Seakeeper models utilize AC power or a generator.
Though this particular boat features a Seakeeper positioned along the centerline behind the leaning post, the unit can also be located in the bow or transom while still providing effective stabilization.
The test vessel in Miami had a Seakeeper 2 unit centrally located behind the leaning post. The Seakeeper can also be installed below deck and does not necessarily need to occupy the centerline, Albina mentioned.
Regular access for maintenance is essential, and the company advises inspections of the Seakeeper every 1,000 hours. Technicians will check the brake bushings, hydraulic cylinders, and flush the hydraulic oil lines when required. For larger Seakeeper models, Albina stated that the zincs should be replaced approximately every 150 hours.
The smallest Seakeeper designed for vessels between 27 and 32 feet retails for just under $20,000 excluding installation. In contrast, larger units, like the Seakeeper 16, retail for $109,900 prior to installation. While the cost may seem steep, consider the worth of comfort, especially for those who struggle with seasickness.
CONTACT
Seakeeper, 410-326-1590,
www.seakeeper.com
View a video demonstration of the Seakeeper.