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SEAKEEPER DESIRABILITY

Discussion in 'Stabs, Tabs & Gyros' started by jsschieff, May 8, 2022.

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  1. jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    Looking at a couple of large day boats, 38 footers. One has a Seakeeper, one doesn't. Price difference is about $60K.

    I would try to avoid going out in lousy weather, no anchoring in open roadsteads. I'll make short open water passages, but only in good weather. I've run small boats for many years, making open water runs in New England without a SeaKeeper and never had a problem with the motion. Big fast outboard boats have considerable dynamic stability when up on plane. $60K is not an enormous sum but would be happy not to spend it unless it is highly advisable to get the one with the Seakeeper.

    Not sure if a SeaKeeper would make a huge difference or simply be a heavy, high-maintenance object taking up space. Would welcome advice on whether a Seakeeper is a necessity, desirable, or unnecessary.
  2. maldwin

    maldwin Senior Member

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    I think it might widen the boat’s resale audience. I am sure there are some wives who would veto a non stabilized boat.
  3. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    It depends on where and how you use the boat. In open boats it s very nice for fishing but if you re just running outside and then anchoring in sheltered anchorages you don’t need it.
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    You and mate need to take a ride on the equipped boat. Idle and drift in some light swells.
    While spinning, they can be enabled/disabled to compare.
    Yes, it's some bux up front and some maintance but you and mate will have to determine if it is worth it.
  5. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    So I'll ask a few questions.
    What type of vessel, hull form and cog.
    How old and what model seakeeper. What part of the world will boat be used.
    Different hulls react to different waves in unique ways.
    Some sea keepers are really bad, some not.
    The company tries to get as much roll resistance as possible from a small package. This over loads bearings and dampers. The hd versions are simply spun a little slower and last along time.
    Big swells vs chop? Seakeeper won't do much in swells but will in chop when sized correctly in the right hull shape.
    You'll get plenty of trouble codes with all models, sometimes they reset, sometimes not.
    Rebuilding them is bunch of work, I'd say similar to a tranny.
    Sportfish boats on east coast, they're a must. Displacement or semi displacement hull not so much.
  6. jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    Full planing hull - Boston Whaler. year 2020, I assume Model 3 Seakeeper. Boat will be used in Rhode island, trips from Jamestown to Block Island, Peconic bay, Martha's Vineyard. lots of anchoring for a swim in sheltered coves.
  7. saltysenior

    saltysenior Senior Member

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    buy more Dramamine w/ the 60 Grand.
    Fishtigua and bayoubud like this.
  8. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    That boat would benefit from seakeeper when anchored or low speed operation. If you get it plan on rebuild in a few years. Personally I'd not get it on that type of boat. I'm for simplicity whenever possible. Enjoy your boat.
  9. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    There is a reason people are installing on Whaler's and a reason Whaler is offering them on new builds. I don't know if you're talking a Realm or an Outrage but similar issues.

    Whaler's tend to get tossed around more than you'd expect at slow speed and anchor. I looked at a review hoping it would say "unnecessary" but this is how it read: This boat also has a SeaKeeper gyrostabilizer so we powered that unit up for a look. No surprise, it worked great and this is a feature that will not only be appreciated by the families but the fishermen that will be standing for long periods.

    Now, I'd only do it if factory installed or if done per factory specifications as the boat has a panel designed to house the unit.

    The comments on adequate sized seakeepers is right on target. A lot of undersized units from salesmen seeking not to increase price.

    All that said, if you'd run the boat with no knowledge of Seakeepers you wouldn't be concerned. However, if you'd used it with one, you wouldn't want one without it. It's a bit surprising to see a builder offering it on a CC under 40', but if the builder sees the need and some of their customers do also, they understand their boat and their buyer. I'd talk to someone with the builder, not a Marine Max salesman, about it.
  10. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    We managed a American Tug (40 something) with one.
    Quality boat but I did like the jungle gym in moving from one interior area to another.
    It did have the SeaKeeper gyro.
    There was a difference in cruising the St Johns river with it. Definently kept the boat level and hardly felt the roll from another boats wake. Still pitched but a improved ride with it on. At anchor was its best part. Even rigged an 240Vac inverter for it so the gen set did not have to run. That could last 4 to 6 hours.

    It was inclosed in an aluminum framed box with clear side panels and blue lighting. You could watch it on one of the ER cameras. Cool to watch.

    In the 5 years we worked on her, one valve failed. Factory support sucked. A S Fl shop returned my call and he talked me thru the troubleshooting and mailed me the valve. The back side of the unit was installed against the aft bulkhead. Replacing the valve was a PIA because of this. If it was forward a few inches, no problem. With the clear side panels removed, all other areas were easy to reach.
    The micro zinc was replaced yearly. In these waters, about half gone. Shot of grease, what squose out was always clean.

    When she sold, a rep came up (same shop) for the buyer to check it out. Vacume was still great and reported great condition.
    Maybe 900 hours on the unit.

    A comment above about rebuilding? I am not an expert by far, what really is there to rebuild?
  11. captholli

    captholli Senior Member

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    Seakeeper's require annual maintenance and have an "hour's operated "schedule for replacing components such as:
    Hydraulic accumulators @ 2,000 hrs.
    Brake bushings @ 1,000 hrs.
    mechanical safety latch @ 1,000 hrs.
    heat exchanger @ 1,000 hrs.
    cooling glycol @1,000 hrs.
    So, it would be safe to say that if the life expectancy of a unit is 9 to 10,000 hrs. you would be rebuilding or replacing components @ 4, 000 hrs to extend the correct operation of the unit to reach that 9- 10,000-hour mark.
    Seakeeper also recommends or has a list of " inspect and replace" components such as hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic hoses every 1,000 hrs.
    and of course, there's the well-known ceramic bearing failures that have resulted in service bulletins being sent to owners at specific hours run for bearing replacement. Not so much as an install it and forget it as most people think.
  12. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Ah, so this one was still a baby.
    Still don't see any great expense vs the cost of the equipment.
  13. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    I might consider the one with the Seakeeper, at $60k less.
    And I just might, mind.

    PS: just for fairness/balance, I know close to nothing on the BW you are considering.
    But if a 38' planing boat needs a gyro as badly as Olderboater seemed to suggest, I'd rather look at something else.
  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Oh, Bad experience?
  15. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Not personal, thanks God - but yes.
  16. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Seakeepers are expensive to maintain which Capt holli pointed out.

    Seakeepers do very little for stability at 30 knots. Perhaps a 15-20% increase, sometimes they make the ride worse as they stiffen up the boat too much and it counter acts the hulls natural self righting traits at 30 knots. NOW, at trolling speeds, anchored and drifting, they're worth their weight in gold. One can always be added later.
  17. sgawiser

    sgawiser New Member

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    Our experience with a Seakeeper was outstanding. Not only at anchor, but in some marinas where there was consistent wash, we were not impacted at all by the waves. I suspect the most important thing is to be sure the boat was designed for the Seakeeper and was sized and installed correctly.
  18. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    As captholli stated there are numerous maintenance items. Bearing replacement is a common one and pain to do.
    Lot's of sportfish guys are pulling them out for rebuild or replacing with new.
    Again seakeepeer is trying to get to much out of too little. I can get my briggs and Stratton lawn mower to produce 3 times its rated power but for only a short time. Have the tech derate the unit and she'll last a much longer time. The hd seakeeper is identical to regular just spins a little slower. They dbl the warranty with hd. What does that tell you???
  19. Gulfer

    Gulfer Member

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    - OldBoater

    We had a Southport 33FE without a Sea Keeper, just picked up a 2022 34' Regulator with a Sea Keeper. I was a little skeptical about the sea keeper, seemed like "black magic", and too good to be true. However, today I'm 100% believer in the sea keeper. (And family loves it too)

    As for running (at speed), we use it depending on the conditions. Honestly, it's debatable of it's value solely with this.. But, it certainly helps at times. We'll be cruising along and wonder if it's making a difference. Turn it OFF, and quickly the family says "Turn it back ON".

    Low Speed Cruising, Snorkeling, Scuba, Fishing/Trolling, Deep Drop Fishing, and just hanging out out.. It's a godsend. Amazing the difference it makes. I'll never own another boat without one.

    If the boat doesn't already have shore power connection, I recommended it. It takes awhile to spin-up, I think 60 minutes or so. (Can't remember) Yes, the it can do that on the battery, but it's seemed a logical upgrade to us. Its nice to start it up while before we head out.
    rocdiver likes this.
  20. jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    Thank you for informed, first-hand input! Just what I wanted from Yacht Forum members. Sounds like the SeaKeeper lives up to the hype and to the $60 grand price tag.