Stabilizer (is it worth the cost)

a_nyc_scott":2vbv7jwl said:
Hi All!

I recently read an article about a company called "SeaKeeper". They make gyroscopic stabilizers for a wide range of boats. Their smallest version is for boats roughly 30' - 40' in length. I would think the ranger 29's and 31's fall in this range (I'll call SeaKeeper to ask). The performance seems pretty amazing. Here is the website in case you are interested: https://www.seakeeper.com/

Has anyone seen one of these stabilizers in practice? If so are they as impressive as they seem? Has anyone heard of one being installed on a ranger tug? If they could be installed (I'll ask Andrew) would this be worth the $ (they are not cheap, the website indicates they are priced around $27,000 for the smallest one they make, plus the installation costs)? Interesting cost/benefit question!

Scott
Click to expand...

I think this one would win an award for "Least Practical Modification on a Ranger Tug"!

But, on the Selene that we're moving to...
 
knotflying":2v71gx1b said:
Use the extra money and buy a bigger boat! :lol: Or - accept the fact that you can only handle seas up to XX and do not go out if the environment exceeds your comfort level. If you get caught in an uncomfortable situation get through it. I can see using a stabilizer on larger boats since they will tend to run further and in open water where there is more of a likelihood of rough seas, but I do not see the practicality on our boats.
Click to expand...

Solid appraisal, right there!
 
Just like air conditioning or the stereo, it is good to have it if we would like to use it.

 
Brian 27 OB":1fdczzvb said:
Just like air conditioning or the stereo, it is good to have it if we would like to use it.

Click to expand...

What did that little beauty cost you?
 
Hi!

Just chiming in. I have not yet seen a stabilizer in a Ranger Tug, but I have seen one on a Cutwater 302 a couple of years back. The owner decided to place it in the quarter berth. The boat did have to go through some extensive reinforcements and integration into the stringer system for it to work. Seakeeper has been really pushing into making their systems more smaller and efficient. I would take a look into their products.

Thanks!
 
Marco- thanks for your help with the stringer details and adhesives used. The photo I posted makes it look like they just bolted down the unit, which is not the case. They cut the boat apart and glassed in transverse beams and tied into stringers as well as aluminum plates (say goodbye to my hull warranty...lol). They put new colored gel coat over everything and it really looks like it wasn’t aftermarket.

Vertigo- not sure what just the SK cost. I had lithium batteries and a fair amount of other work done all at once. This is our first cruising boat without a generator. Hopefully she works out for us.
 
Brian 27 OB":1gpy6nvt said:
Marco- thanks for your help with the stringer details and adhesives used. The photo I posted makes it look like they just bolted down the unit, which is not the case. They cut the boat apart and glassed in transverse beams and tied into stringers as well as aluminum plates (say goodbye to my hull warranty...lol). They put new colored gel coat over everything and it really looks like it wasn’t aftermarket.

Vertigo- not sure what just the SK cost. I had lithium batteries and a fair amount of other work done all at once. This is our first cruising boat without a generator. Hopefully she works out for us.
Click to expand...


Sounds like a lot of work! Looks great, whoever installed it did a great job! How do you like it so far? How is the noise?
 
It’s not too loud. I don’t want to say it anywhere near silent. It’s sounds like a high end dishwasher running.
 
The feedback I hear is that they are amazing (in general).

My wooden sailboat and wooden chris craft cabin cruiser had no bow or stern thruster. I used to be the "old" guy at 50 y/o, saying, "what competent captain needs a bow or stern thruster? in my day we learned how to dock a boat". "Garmin chart plotter? hah, in my day we used paper charts and a hand bearing compass and dagnabbit we did just fine...."

Got to admit, I really love my RT29's bow and stern thruster, and love my Garmin.

prediction: optional equipment on all coastal/great lakes capable boats 25' and over w/in 5 years.........

DK
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

  • Tugnuts.com is the community hub for Ranger Tug, Cutwater, and Solara owners. Since its inception in 2008, the Tugnuts forum has grown into an active and thriving community of more than 9,000 members. It serves as both a meeting place for the best boating community online, and an invaluable archive of information.

  • User menu
Back
Top