SeaKeeper Ride on C 24: Anyone done it yet?

E

Edmund

Active member
Joined
Aug 8, 2021
Messages
36
Fluid Motion Model
C-32 C
Am very close to pulling the trigger on the SeaKeeper Ride trim system. From my search, everyone who has installed this system seems to use the same phrase..."GAME CHANGER." Several brands are installing these systems on their factory boats.

Very impressive looking system. Anyone installed these on a C24, or any Ranger or Cut model yet? Love to hear the feedback.
 
There are three brands in this space, Seakeeper, Zip and Humphree. I am also curious about the results of any of them myself.
 
watson1987":zhog4zna said:
There are three brands in this space, Seakeeper, Zip and Humphree. I am also curious about the results of any of them myself.
Click to expand...

Well yes and no to being in the same space.....and FTR, my hunch is that SeaKeeper RIDE is superior technology, but that Zip will do a really good job for many boats. I need to know more about Humphree.....

From what I can tell, the correct system here will take care of pretty much everything I don't like about the C24....and enhance what I already really like....
 
Cutwater28GG":zudjlzhr said:
oh im fascinated by this! keen to hear how it progresses.

I know a few folks have installed the autoglide autotrim systems from Lenco https://www.lencomarine.com/en/Products/Auto-Glide-Kits
to help with beam rolling.
Click to expand...

I just moved to a C288 from a C24. I looked at the Seakeeper but, IMO, that's a lot of money to pay. $16k to put into a $140k boat is a lot. It's a lot to put into a $330K boat too. I'd probably seriously consider it but my wife isn't getting in the boat in weather that would really make that shine so it's a waste of money.

I JUST put the Lenco Autoglide in my 288- right at $1k and super easy to instsall. I had my C24 for four years and WISH I had put this in- works really well. It's not super fast to respond but it does level the boat in adequate time.
 
After being on a boat with a Seakeeper in Hawaii, I was all set to install one in our R-23!

However, the $$$ surprised me... but I could get over that, as my First Mate has a little issue when on the hook if it's a tad windy. A Seakeeper would definitely help.

But the weight ended up being the idea-killer. 365 lbs! Not on an R-23 😱
 
Brian98133":9lyypnhg said:
After being on a boat with a Seakeeper in Hawaii, I was all set to install one in our R-23!

However, the $$$ surprised me... but I could get over that, as my First Mate has a little issue when on the hook if it's a tad windy. A Seakeeper would definitely help.

But the weight ended up being the idea-killer. 365 lbs! Not on an R-23 😱
Click to expand...

Seakeeper has two systems. The traditional Seakeeper is the gyro system -- large, very heavy, tricky to find a place to install, and requires a lot of power (generator is mandatory)! But works well and helps both underway and at anchor.

The Ride models are like super trim tabs, still expensive but much easier to install. OTOH they don't do much until the boat is on plane. For displacement speed boating or to increase comfort and stability at anchor, they won't help. So it's a compromise like everything on a boat!

And either way, the quotes I've seen (for either system) end up around 2x of the unit cost, due to installation labor.
 
some comments on here confusing the Seakeeper Gyro system with the SeaKeeper RIDE system. RIDE is a new trim tab system, not the 365 pound mini gyro.

I would never consider the gyro for the C24. I am considering the Tab system....
 
I had this system installed on my new R25 by the dealer. I highly recommend it for anyone who intends to cruise an outboard FM at planing speeds. As noted above, the Seakeeper Ride begins stabilizing at 10 mph and obtains more control authority as speed increases. It operates fluidly and essentially instantaneously. It gives these small narrow-beam boats the handling characteristics of much larger vessels.

DJI_20241122_120407_135.JPG
 
Before spending $14k on a system that works "great", I'd first try something that costs under $1k and might work "good enough". The Mente Attitude Control System, the roll pitch version, works pretty darn fast itself. Sure, it uses the already installed old fashioned trim tabs, but, in my experience, most of the attitude control issues with our narrow beam tugs is human reaction time, not the tab speed. The Mente system takes about 30 minutes to install and it can be tuned to operate very fast and to your preference.

If it's still not fast enough, you can always go with the seakeeper upgrade, but you might also save $13k....
 
Remedy2 said:
I just moved to a C288 from a C24. I looked at the Seakeeper but, IMO, that's a lot of money to pay. $16k to put into a $140k boat is a lot. It's a lot to put into a $330K boat too. I'd probably seriously consider it but my wife isn't getting in the boat in weather that would really make that shine so it's a waste of money.

I JUST put the Lenco Autoglide in my 288- right at $1k and super easy to instsall. I had my C24 for four years and WISH I had put this in- works really well. It's not super fast to respond but it does level the boat in adequate time.
Click to expand...
 
Keep in mind…Seakeeper (gyro) is for stationary or low speed pitch and roll control….Seakeeper Ride is for higher/planing speeds (I.e. starting to have effect at >16mph.
 
Sure would like to hear about a Seakeeper Ride install in an inboard, preferably an R-31CB!
 
Jcat2010 said:
Before spending $14k on a system that works "great", I'd first try something that costs under $1k and might work "good enough". The Mente Attitude Control System, the roll pitch version, works pretty darn fast itself. Sure, it uses the already installed old fashioned trim tabs, but, in my experience, most of the attitude control issues with our narrow beam tugs is human reaction time, not the tab speed. The Mente system takes about 30 minutes to install and it can be tuned to operate very fast and to your preference.

If it's still not fast enough, you can always go with the seakeeper upgrade, but you might also save $13k....
Click to expand...
Older C26: Mente + Bennett drop fins. Simple, cheap, Mente is a self-install.
/Diatom
 
JMarshallR25 said:
I had this system installed on my new R25 by the dealer. I highly recommend it for anyone who intends to cruise an outboard FM at planing speeds. As noted above, the Seakeeper Ride begins stabilizing at 10 mph and obtains more control authority as speed increases. It operates fluidly and essentially instantaneously. It gives these small narrow-beam boats the handling characteristics of much larger vessels.

View attachment 24407
Click to expand...

What did this setup cost, installed?
 
Submariner said:
What did this setup cost, installed?
Click to expand...
I believe about $7500.

(By the way, I know they have installed the system on at least a couple of R27s. Scott D., who just posted on the R27/R25 Facebook page about his new boat, has the system).
 
JMarshallR25 said:
I had this system installed on my new R25 by the dealer. I highly recommend it for anyone who intends to cruise an outboard FM at planing speeds. As noted above, the Seakeeper Ride begins stabilizing at 10 mph and obtains more control authority as speed increases. It operates fluidly and essentially instantaneously. It gives these small narrow-beam boats the handling characteristics of much larger vessels.

View attachment 24407
Click to expand...
Did you get the smaller tab or the mid size on the R25
 
I just put on the lenco auto glide on my 2021 Ranger Tug LE - i have a left over mounting bracket in case anyone is looking for one
www.lencomarine.com

Lenco Marine: Market-leading Controls for Powerboating

For superior powerboating and wake surfing experiences, take control with Lenco Marine's innovative trim tabs, actuators, hatch lifts, controls and switches.
www.lencomarine.com www.lencomarine.com
 
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