Volvo Penta Interceptors

[ixlr8]

Check out the Lenco Auto Glide Trim Tab Control System. They work with their trim tabs which have Lenco Electric Actuators.

Looks interesting, certainly less expensive than the Interceptors or a SeaKeeper. I suspect it would be easier to install. I found prices in the $900-$1000 range for the Lenco Auto Glide kit, but doesn't include some cables and connectors that are going to be boat specific.

 

[BB marine]

Concerns:

Not are about other RT or cutwaters, but my RT27 transom is not perpendicular to motion of the boat, meaning the outside edges are more forward than the center. Any interceptor would hit the water at some angle and will interfere with steering.
Just slight offsets during installation could cause the same interference. I experienced this when I added drop fins to my boat. Due to some units needing room inside for the servo, installation on the RT or CW may not be possible. Transom angle towards boat movement may need to be compensated with a wedge between unit and transom.

If you have an outboard, you already have a trim system and the aforementioned may only contribute to roll reduction

The biggest concern is the transom angles where intercepters would be installed. Last winter I wanted to increase triming capabilities of my C26. I had installed Drop fins that helped considerably but as stwendl has stated the transom angle created some issues. The marina I store at is a Volvo dealer and sells Prestige motor yachts. They installed several Intercepter systems and Sea Keeper systems on 45', 50,and 55 Pestige's. One does the trimming, (Intercepter) the other takes the roll out ( Sea Keeper). Installs of both systems - parts and laborer close to 100K on the 55'.I wasn't concerned about the roll, I wanted better control of trim angle and level running when at speed. I measured for the installation for the servo's and with a small amount of storage compartment plywood flooring removal the servo's would fit. The big issue was the transom angle. A shim would have to be used and should be glassed to the hull to make the shim and hulls one. It was going to be a large investment with a unknown pay off. My answer was modified drop Fins.The drop fins have a wider mounting flange that allows for adjustment of the angled transom. The drops run parallel to the Keel. They work well, more trim angle when needed, lifts stern and levels list at lower speeds, adds to a better cruising speed ride. The only draw back is I must be very careful if the boat is lifted with forks. Pics of modified drop fins in my Album . It would be great if a Tug or Cut owner would give the Interceptors a try and post results. The cost is high but if the results were good I would invest.

 

[davez]

Check out the Lenco Auto Glide Trim Tab Control System. They work with their trim tabs which have Lenco Electric Actuators.

Looks interesting, certainly less expensive than the Interceptors or a SeaKeeper. I suspect it would be easier to install. I found prices in the $900-$1000 range for the Lenco Auto Glide kit, but doesn't include some cables and connectors that are going to be boat specific.

It seems Auto Glide works well for pitch control and for boat leveling (to counter someone moving from one side of the boat to the other). But can it provide dynamic roll stabilization to limit roll in:
a) side-on long smooth rolling waves, and
b) side-on choppy stormy seas?

I have sent Lenco an email with this question.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

seems to me the seakeeper and these automatic trim tabs have very different use cases. the seakeeper being more useful when the boat is stopped or going slow and rolling with the waves whereas the automatic tabs being more useful to manage people moving around or a change in wave direction as you are cruising. The videos of seakeeper all seem to be when still - i.e. fishing.

i do like the idea of the automatic tabs though - most of my time when cruising is managing roll with the trim tabs on a 8'6" beam boat!

 

[davez]

I beleive the seakeepers are designed to reduce roll for every (all three) cases:
1. when stationary
2. when trolling, and
3. when cruising.
(Maybe most seakeepers videos are made while stationary because it more clearly demonstrates the seakeeper On and Off cases)

The interceptors will only work for the 3rd case (at cruising speed) because they need significant water flow to work.

So if you want roll reduction while trolling and/or stationary, you need a seakeeper.

Personally, I don't care so much about limiting roll when stationary or trolling. I want to limit roll when I've got a 4 hour crossing in rough waters with waves on my beam. Yes, seakeepers would do the job (I think). But what caught my interest was the claim that interceptors, with their fast response time, could also limit roll at cruising speed. Given that you need some kind of trim control (horizontal plate trim tabs or vertical plate interceptors) in any case, my question is; if you already have interceptors (or could spec them on a new boat) and if they do in fact limit roll while cruising, then why pay for a seakeeper? The additional cost for the electronics to upgrade basic interceptors to include auto pitch and roll control is a fraction of the cost of a seakeeper.

So, that's my quetion: At cruising speeds, can interceptors with auto roll & pitch control match seakeeper performance?

If not, I'd still consider something like the Lenco Auto Glide Trim Tab Control System mentioned a few post ago because:
- it works even with horizontal plate trim tabs
- it includes left and right trim tab position indicators
- it effectively auto adjusts for pitch
- it may not work well enough to continuously counter roll due to broadside waves, but it will auto level the boat to adjust for uneven loading (people, fuel, water, holding tank).
Or so it seems from the sales info.

 

[stwendl]

Just a thought. If one had to add a wedge for any of the interceptors then that added space may be suitable to House an embedded depth sounder flush with the bottom.

Not sure however if the selected water runs any interference. Technically it would cause the same interference on our internal sounder which is mounted forward to the stbd trim tab , at least on my r27

The wedge would possibly even enable the installation and of a sidevue sounder without interfering with a trailer bunk