All major yacht builders offer gyro-stabilizers as part of their extras list. Most popular across all types and brands of yachts are those designed and made by Seakeeper
Some of us find waves fun or even calming, but most of us will react differently to rolling or pitching – even at anchor in a peaceful cove, in line for tank refueling, rolling and pitching is a problem nobody wants to encounter. Best case scenario – it startles you. Everything else – appliances and dishware flying around, passengers stumbling – is more of a headache and best avoided. Although there is nothing unusual about rolling, especially on yachts with tall superstructure, we all prefer to have it ‘fixed’ – and that’s where stabilizers come into play.
Gyroscopic stabilizers, active fins or flaps – stabilizers in some shape or form are standard equipment on bigger boats and available as extra on smaller ones. Research and development have made this technology applicable to boats 30 feet in length, especially little fishermen boats so popular in the States. Seakeeper 1, powered by a 12-V battery, work their magic in several minutes and take up no more than 50 cm x 50 cm of space. Installation of this kind of stabilizing system is a good idea even if you only use your boat occasionally, for diving or fishing.
