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Sea Keeper Ride, Zipwakes, or Humphree Lightning

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by motoryachtlover, Oct 4, 2023.

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  1. motoryachtlover, Oct 4, 2023
    #1
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    Contemplating putting one of these systems on my 2016 23 Everglades DC. Do any of the forum members have any experience or thoughts about one of these systems or know someone who does? Thanks.
  2. MBY, Oct 5, 2023
    #2
    MBY

    MBY Senior Member

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    We have installed Zipwake since they debuted and overall have been very happy with them. They install easily, the user interface is nice and you can operate the interceptors single handedly without even looking. We decided to try a Humphree lighting system on our first 43 and we eventually removed them and replaced them with Zipwake. In Humphree's defense, the interceptors we had were beta versions but they never did work 100% for us. The first pair we put on lasted 10 minutes before water intrusion took them out, the second pair never worked because of software glitches and we never once were able to get the lighting to work. In my opinion, they are meant for an entry level boat and don't really represent the quality product Humphree is known for. As for the Seakeeper ride, I have no personal experience with them but they are ridiculously expensive, very large compared to Zipwake and Humphree and will do the same thing the other guys do at the end of the day.

    Of the three you mentioned, I'd go Zipwake if I was putting them on my boat.
    YachtForums likes this.
  3. YachtForums, Oct 5, 2023
    #3
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    f3504x4ps likes this.
  4. motoryachtlover, Oct 5, 2023
    #4
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    Thank you both.
  5. f3504x4ps, Oct 5, 2023
    #5
    f3504x4ps

    f3504x4ps Member

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    I was just on a demo ride today on a 26ft CC with Sea Keeper Ride, we were very impressed with the operation. Went out with the Sea Keep Ride off. Did a hole shot twin Merc 250OB and the bow rise was high, turned on Ride system and did same hole shot and the bow was about 35/40% reduction in rise. Then we went over another boats wake the was about 2’ high. Very smooth, carved tight turns at 40mph again the ride was smooth and was impressive with minimal lean. I looked at Zip Wake but cans not compare the two as their was not a demo of them. They have been around longer then Ride. Only maintenance is 4 zincs 2 on each unit.
  6. motoryachtlover, Oct 5, 2023
    #6
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    F350 that is good info for me since I am contemplating fitting one of these symptoms on my 23. I have eliminated the Humphree based on MBY’S post. The seakeeper ride system is the more expensive of the 3 and they want only their dealer to do the install. Which I don’t care for as i have a trusted boat shop that I know their work and at this point I want my shop to do the install.
  7. motoryachtlover, Oct 19, 2023
    #7
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    I went with the zipwakes. $6500 labor and material installed. Hopefully will have boat back in a week or so. Will update the forum when I have run it some.
  8. motoryachtlover, Oct 30, 2023
    #8
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    I had the zipwakes installed. Zipwake recommended the 450S and we went with their recommendation. I have only had 2 days to play with them as my chart plotter went blank in the middle of those 2 days. The chartplotter going down denied the zipwake GPS coverage which takes away the automatic function so I got to use the zipwake system manually which made me use zipwakes like standard tabs. The automatic roll adjustment is a big improvement. Makes automatic adjustments to keep the boat balanced when the wind changes, people move, etc. I did not like the auto pitch control as adjusted as it kept my bow down when going over larger wakes from bigger boats, which led to the bow digging in. I adjusted the pitch to allow the bow to rise higher and it is much better. The auto pitch definetly keeps the bow down when coming on plane. I would like some more time to evaluate the pitch control feature but it seems to be much better but did not do a lot of overtaking larger boats pulling big wakes. So far I like it but is it worth the $6500 cost installed on my 23 footer? I will need some time fiddling with it to answer that.

    Attached Files:

  9. LuvBigBoats, Nov 8, 2024 at 10:46 AM
    #9
    LuvBigBoats

    LuvBigBoats Member

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    Bringing this back up. Buying a 33' center console with stepped hull that already has the Zipwake system installed. The boat has a Seakeeper also, and I need to have some work done on the boat requiring the Seakeeper be moved out of the way to access something that needs to be replaced.

    The Seakeeper dealer doing the work is saying that I should install the Ride system as it's night and day better than the Zipwake.

    Anyone here have enough experience to comment on whether they agree with that?
  10. f3504x4ps, Nov 8, 2024 at 11:54 AM
    #10
    f3504x4ps

    f3504x4ps Member

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    If the zipwake system is working fine, then I would stay with what you have now. If you had issues with zipwake and they’re not working then I would see what the cost is for seakeeper ride system. Unless the seakeeper dealer is giving you an exceptionally good price I’d hang tight to what you have.
  11. CaboFly, Nov 11, 2024 at 12:13 AM
    #11
    CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    I would consider the source. Not doubting the ride system isn't probably marginally better in performance but you already have Zipwakes and they do have some advantages as noted above.