Seakeeper Stabilizer Gyroscope

[rognvald]

O.K. Boys and Girls,
We are now truly approaching what the Buddhists would describe as Nirvana--The Seakeeper Stabilzer Gyroscope. No more rolling boats, no more cadaverous rail huggers, no more spilt drinks or wayward containers, just pure unadulterated on the water bliss--a platform so stable you'll think you're taking a walk in the park. Ah, for a life on the rolling seas? Not this guy . . . and you think you had everything! Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/W9uNrR2Dx-k

[nimblemotors]

Or get a catamaran with a suspension. Always thought why don't boats have suspensions, even horse drawn carriages had them..

[Capt.Alex]

I wonder what would happen if you installed one in a mono hull sailboat? Would it prevent heeling, or just rolling?? Anyone tried it?

[a64pilot]

Heeling? No
Just like a kids gyroscope toy, gentle pressure will have it tilting, but they resist short term forces rather well.
Gotta power the thing though and I bet it uses quite a bit of power

[Stumble]

Their smallest option costs $30,000, weighs 800lbs and requires a constant 2kw power source to operate. There is a reason gyros are used regularly in large yachts but not in smaller vessels.

I guess you could install one and just use it when you need it. But it takes about an hour to get up to speed, it isn't just an on/off switch.

[TacomaSailor]

When I was looking at big trawlers I did a lot of research on the SeaKeeper Gyro. One of the interesting issues is where and how to mount it.

All the torque from resisting the roll is transferred from the gyro thu the frame member the gyro is attached to. Even worse, the torque is a high frequency load that is constantly changing force and direction.

Several clever engineers on a couple of the trawler and powerboat forums calculated the loads and they were substantial. It sounded like many power boats did not have enough structure in the frame to absorb the energy from the Seakeeper.

And, no one could figure out if constant, repetitive twisting of a frame would eventually lead to stress fractures.

They are an interesting idea.

[TeddyDiver]

It's an old invention. The original Skene's Element's of Yacht Design has something about it..

[Ex-Calif]

I always thought it would be interesting to gymbal the cockpit of a sailboat. just like a stove.