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Stabilizer question

Discussion in 'Stabs, Tabs & Gyros' started by Trinimax, Jul 5, 2017.

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  1. Trinimax, Jul 5, 2017
    #1
    Trinimax

    Trinimax Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2010
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    Location:
    Trinidad and Tobago Yacht club
    I have a quick question regarding fin stabilizers. A friend of a mine is the captain of a 110 ft lazarra motoryacht. And he has a small problem and he asked me to post a question here looking for some second and third opinions. The boat is currently fitted with niad fin stabilizers as well as seakeeper zero speed stablizers. Apparently one of the fins was found to be missing. Fortunately. No water leakage detected. Now here is the question. The captain is planning to make the 1800 mile trip from Trinidad to Miami within the next few days, while running at displacement speeds of 12-13 kts. He wants to know if it will be safe to operate the niad stablizers with only fin and if it will cause any issues. Or should he not use the fin stabilizers and just rely on the seakeepers.

    Thanks in advance for the advice
  2. Capt Ralph, Jul 5, 2017
    #2
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    As long as the missing fin shaft is intact, not bent or binding near the outer seal, there should be no issues, The working fin may swing more side to side doing the work for two. Why not run both systems anyway?
    A lil more speed may help but at 1800 miles, that won't work. I'm a bit reserved he wont be able to maintain over 10 knots before bingo fuel.
  3. Trinimax, Jul 5, 2017
    #3
    Trinimax

    Trinimax Senior Member

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    Trinidad and Tobago Yacht club
    Hi rcrapps. The captain reported that the break was clean. He plans to run the niad stabilizer and the seakeepers. I believe the concern was the Extra stress caused to the niad system from operating on one fin. I don't think he plans to make the run without refueling. I bemeibe there are plans to stop in the BVI for a few days. So I assume they will take fuel somewhere in that area.
    Thanks for the quick response
  4. Pascal, Jul 5, 2017
    #4
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Not familiar with niad but with Trac you can use only one fin

    The safest answer would be to call niad and ask.
  5. Trinimax, Jul 5, 2017
    #5
    Trinimax

    Trinimax Senior Member

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    Trinidad and Tobago Yacht club
    Just spoke to my friend and he said he spoke to the manufacturer and they said it won't be an issue to run on one stablizer. All he has to do is deactivate the one with the missing fin. Which could be done from the control panel at the helm. So sounds like an easy fix. He just has a bit more rocking for this trip.
    Thanks again for the responses fellas
  6. Capt J, Jul 5, 2017
    #6
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    As calm as the ocean is this time of year, it shouldn't be much.....with seakeepers at that speed it shouldn't hardly rock at all.