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Seakeeper

Discussion in 'Stabs, Tabs & Gyros' started by Dan balmer, Jul 10, 2020.

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  1. Dan balmer

    Dan balmer Member

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    Hi all Have post 50 and wanted to consider installing seakeeper or such on the rig and looking for any info on the practicalities of doing that and know you guys have experience with that
  2. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Go to the SEARCH feature and put in Seakeeper. There's several threads that may help.
  3. alvareza

    alvareza Member

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    I put one in my Ocean Yacht 46. Happy to answer any questions.
  4. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The biggest challenge beside the cost is finding the place. Very difficult on some boats.
  5. Dan balmer

    Dan balmer Member

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    So I guess there’s no body on here with the 50 Post that has done it and could tell me where and how. Saw one being installed in yard next to me here in cape Canaveral Florida while I was on the hard next to a 61 sport fish and they put two smaller units in the place of each deck fish box inserts. I have 2 large fish boxes and could give up one if that would work with just one unit of appropriate height in that spot. Anyway it comes down to getting somebody from the company to give me a visit and consult and cost
  6. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    If you go with 1, it has to be centerline in the boat.......2 are usually on the outbound sides........call seakeeper, they can tell you and are really good to work with. Given the price range of the seakeeper, and the price range of a 50' Post, I'd imagine very few people would spend close to $100k to put a seakeeper in a $300k sportfish........
  7. alvareza

    alvareza Member

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    My Seakeeper went in the engine room between the two engines. It sits pretty low, easy to get over to reach everything. Two extensions were built on the sides of the main stringers to support the Seakeeper. I will try to find a picture.

    Installed cost was ~$60k.

    When planning the install Seakeeper would only provide me with informal guidance. My understanding is they review refit installs with the dealer in more detail. Seakeeper’s guidance to me for more a more detailed formal analysis was to hire a naval architect.

    I was able to connect with Dave Martin the architect for Ocean Yachts, who was retired but graciously gave me some advice. He concurred that placing the SK between the engines would not negatively impact running attitude, CG etc.

    He was a very nice old school guy and suggested toughening up or Dramamine as more cost effective alternatives to a SK. Sadly I believe he passed away last year.
  8. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Amen to that.
    There are enough maintenance headaches on boats, without adding a major one like a SK... :eek:
  9. alvareza

    alvareza Member

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    Here is a picture where you can see the extensions to the stringers to support the Seakeeper. There is a metal plate glassed into the extensions to accept the bolts holding down the Seakeeper.

    upload_2020-7-21_0-3-3.jpeg
  10. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Nice clean installation. Looks like it was born to be there.
  11. alvareza

    alvareza Member

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    So far... Maintenance has been minimal, change zinc anode, grease and clean the strainer. Only ~300 hours in 2-years.
  12. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    From photo it looks like you could have mounted it lower. Is there a reason you did not?

    Are you happy with the performance? Big difference? I'm considering one in my 54'
  13. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Keeping CG low is generally good in marine applications, but a gyro should be mounted as close as possible to the axis of rotation, near the waterline and/or center of mass.
  14. alvareza

    alvareza Member

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    It could have been mounted 1/2 inch to an 1” lower. The globe with the flywheel hangs below the mounting points and there is a clearance spec below it for maintenance. The installer left a little extra room there. If I did it again I would try to save the inch. Climb over it often.

    The difference for people who get seasick easily it is transforming. My daughter can get seasick at the dock. Now she likes to go fishing.

    I took a group of experienced captains, two of them lobster men, who roll all day, out fishing at the canyons. After a day they were spoiled. No rocking, bracing etc. it makes for a more comfortable and safe fishing platform.

    When cruising, especially non boater guests, drinks don’t spill and getting around the boat is easy.

    It works great drifting or hull speed up to about 6’ seas. Bigger waves or large ship wakes will sometimes push it to the limit of its range and the boat will rock.

    When running in beam or following seas it eliminates the diagonal wallow motion. I turn it off when following seas get larger as the boat seems to track better with it off. And I turn it off when entering inlets.

    I was able to roll the cost into the purchase loan. The bank considered it would increase the value of the boat. Idk if that’s really true.