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Seakeeper stabilizers..?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Scott B Jones, Aug 20, 2021.

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  1. Scott B Jones

    Scott B Jones New Member

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    Looking to install Seakeeper stablizers on a 2013 66' Viking sportfish. Anyone have experience with this??
  2. RER

    RER Senior Member

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  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Any seakeeper dealer should be able to handle that.
  4. gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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  5. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    The synopsis is he owns about $50 million worth of Sportfishers scattered around the world. They all have Seakeepers and he says they don’t do what they’re supposed to do.

    I can understand if you don’t want to open certain links but I’m not going to take the time to go through the whole story because of it.

    All his boats are named BAD COMPANY. Among them is a 60’ Viking with 4 Seakeepers that is currently on the market. He’s all over social media under his own name with the story, including his Facebook page. It’s all out there if you’re interested enough to find it.
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2021
  6. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    If the goal is stability at anchor and low speed, then Seakeeper should help. However, I see them being installed into many planing hulls and they're just not of much help at speed, so if that's what you're looking for, you may be disappointed.
    bayoubud likes this.
  7. gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    Thanks, that's plenty. Unhappy customer making waves. I appreciate you pointing it out for anyone who may be more interested. I didn't want or expect you to take the time to go into any detail. Thanks again.
  8. MYTraveler

    MYTraveler Member

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    This particular customer's dissatisfaction may be well justified. He was very knowledgeable about boats and didn't sue because he needs the money (I believe he was a billionaire), and doesn't have a reputation in business for being litigious. He died not long ago -- perhaps that is why the suit was dismissed.
  9. Av8torjim

    Av8torjim New Member

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    Believe it or not, I think that was a different Anthony Hsieh. The one who died founded Zappos. The one who is an avid sportsfisherman founded loanDepot.com, among other companies. The litigation apparently was settled.
    MYTraveler likes this.
  10. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Correct. Same name. Different billionaire.

    The Bad Company fishing team is very much alive and well.
  11. wiredup

    wiredup Member

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    I installed 2 6's on my Hatteras GT 60'. They work well, especially adrift. When trolling, boat still rolls some, I should have gone with at least a 9 and a 6, for even more effect. It is worth it imo. On a 66', you would need at least a 26.
  12. bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    I can see they might be a benefit at anchor or drift fishing but not at speed.
  13. Danvilletim

    Danvilletim Senior Member

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    Seems like you would want to have a contract that would outline the amount or roll diminished, but I don't know if there is really a reliable way to measure this?
  14. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Actually quite easy to measure roll with and without the stabilizers activated.
  15. Bucksh0t

    Bucksh0t Member

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    How about in a quater following sea on plane? What if your boat is one of those that bow steers and can lean outward if the swell is steep enough? Will a stabilizer help keep the boat from leaning as much? I can name a few mid size hulls that are a handfull in a following sea.
  16. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    In this situation I've found seakeeper exasperates the problem. The hull leans outward and the seakeeper stiffens the ride and makes it stay leaning for a minute or two before it naturally flops back over. Seakeepers have their place, but no stabilizers make up for a bad hull design.

    Like last night I ran a 62' MY down the ICW with 20 people on it for a dinner party, it was as level as being in your house, despite some 1-2' boat wakes in the fast speed zones.
    alvareza likes this.