Do you need stabilizers

[Scarlett]

This is for all who have asked if motoryachts need stabilizers. When we bought our 53 we brought it from San Francisco to San Diego, had very good weather and not much gear on the boat. We rolled some, but not to bad and we have done other trips to Catalina and Newport Beach and never really thought we needed stabilizers, until today. Tried to get to Newport Beach from San Diego, 60 miles, it was rough with very steep waves , not big, but short period and steep. We rolled our brains out and crashed stuff we have never crashed before, even though we store things pretty well. After a couple of hours we gave up and came back to San Diego surfing at 3 knots over our base speed. So the answer to the stabilizer question is if you are going to be running in the ocean you definitely need stabilizers, in fact my wife might now be convinced to add them to the boat next year at haul out. John

 

[RonNP]

Hi John,

Sorry to hear about the rough seas. I was planning on going to Santa Cruz Island this weekend. I have stabilizers and in really rough seas I get tossed around as well. They help but they can't cure steep swells. I was thinking of a gyro until I got the $$$ quote. Hope you get out later this weekend.

Ron

 

[Pascal]

There is only so much stabs (or gyros) can do.

The answer to the question is it depends on how and where you use the boat. But if you routinely run outside then yes I think they re a must on MY

I ran a non stabilized 70 footer for about 8 years and have had a lot of stuff come loose. Once approaching Nassau we were rolling so bad one of the U bolt on the waverunner ripped out of the hull. Spent twenty minutes reaecueing the damn thing. Now after 2’years running a stabilized 84 footer I don’t think I could go back to an unstabilized boat which is why I have installed Trac Stabs on my 53

 

[MVCaprice]

+1 for stabilizers.

Seems like every once in a while someone posts about removing stabilizers and selling them because they "don't need them". Every time I shake my head.

My advise in general is to maintain them well. The rougher the water the more they are used and need service. Seems like a lot of people will let them go and pin them which is horrible IMHO.

 

[Scarlett]

So now my research starts, I guess the old tried and true Naids are one choice, Trac seems to be another and I know Scott put in Veatus. So what does every body think and are larger fins required for running at hull speed. And no a gyro is out of the question. Thanks John

 

[SEVEN]

John my Niads work famously. Highly recommend them. Sorry about your trip.

 

[MVCaprice]

I am a fan of the Naiad's in general due to their service network and parts availability, but the electronic control system upgrade is 15k in parts alone and my gyro leaks regardless of what gaskets I throw at it.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

If buying new, I would go with 6 sq ft fins. I have the 4.5 sq ft on my boat and they do well, but another 53 in our marina has the larger fins. We have raced before and found no difference in speed at WOT.

 

[Red Hatt]

I would not own a 53 hatt motor yacht without stabilizers . Unless you just fit on the boat at the dock. You never know when the the seas will change . The stabilizers are worth every penny .

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Some say you only stabs if you are going out on the big water. I disagree. Some of the biggest surprises come when you are inside and some idiot wakes you and everything goes flying because you failed to secure it knowing that you would not be in big seas. I run mine all of time and I don't worry about spilling my drink when I get waked.

 

[scottinsydney]

When choosing the fin size for the Vetus stab system, they said for over 50' the larger the better, BUT they also said the largest had a maximum speed rating of 15 knots. Perfect for my boat as I'll never go that fast.

When the system was sea trialed, we had to do hydraulic pressure and roll tests at our normal cruising speed of 8.5 knots. All the controls, gyros and brains are solid state. The largest sized chosen fins were twice the size of the old Naiad fins.

Look at Vetus. Its good value, should NEVER leak and NEVER require the sealing/bearing system to be changed.

And they make a huge difference with swell and also in the harbour.

 

[Glory]

If buying new, I would go with 6 sq ft fins. I have the 4.5 sq ft on my boat and they do well, but another 53 in our marina has the larger fins. We have raced before and found no difference in speed at WOT.

Gee, I never thought of MY races.

 

[Boatsb]

The great lakes 500.


Nice idea.

All left turns and make sure they dont speed in the pit canal.

Do they change props during the race?

 

[nautibake]

Some say you only stabs if you are going out on the big water. I disagree. Some of the biggest surprises come when you are inside and some idiot wakes you and everything goes flying because you failed to secure it knowing that you would not be in big seas. I run mine all of time and I don't worry about spilling my drink when I get waked.

X2 - we don’t leave the dock without the stabs on. I had left them off soon after we bought the boat because we were staying inside Pensacola Bay on a nice day. My dear mother almost got launched off the FB when a huge sport fish passed us at what must have been their max wake creation speed. I was too slow to turn into them. Wow - unplanned rearranging of the salon too.

 

[jrmccoy]

I think the point about where you run most often would be a big point. I ran my 53'my from Demopolis, AL to Charleston, SC by way of the keys...crossed the gulf from Pt. St Joe to Clearwater etc. with no stabilizers and lived (comfortably in most cases) to tell about it.

Only time coming up Hawk Channel out of the keys broke a bunch of stuff and had to bail...they could have been useful then. But apart from that, yeah shes top heavy and narrow beam and all that, but I can deal with the swell from an occasional sport fish dug in etc. She's fairly confidence inspiring.

 

[MVCaprice]

When choosing the fin size for the Vetus stab system, they said for over 50' the larger the better, BUT they also said the largest had a maximum speed rating of 15 knots. Perfect for my boat as I'll never go that fast.

When the system was sea trialed, we had to do hydraulic pressure and roll tests at our normal cruising speed of 8.5 knots. All the controls, gyros and brains are solid state. The largest sized chosen fins were twice the size of the old Naiad fins.

Look at Vetus. Its good value, should NEVER leak and NEVER require the sealing/bearing system to be changed.

And they make a huge difference with swell and also in the harbour.

How do you cruise that slow Scott? You have 12-71s and our boats are very similar. I typically cruise in the 11-13knt range. At 2150 I can push around 16-17knts.

 

[scottinsydney]

Sydney harbour has speed restrictions for wake in my location. Lots of little boats too. Also everywhere we need to go in the harbour is within 45 minutes.

When doing trips up the NSW coast for extended holidays I do clear out engines at 1600RPM but destinations are all within 2 hours. So 8.5 knots allows me to enjoy the trip.

Kids insisted, so we have a Proline 22 for speed thrills, wakeboarding and fishing.

And fuel is probably double the price you pay in America. I've had the boat to 16 knots and last American owner said he saw 19 knots.

I believe we are hosting one of this forum’s members on our boat in November during their trip to Australia.

 

[Scarlett]

That’s me Scott, can’t wait to get there and see your boat and test those stabilizers. John

 

[luv4h2o]

I guess the old tried and true Naids are one choice /

​

I don't have a lot of experience but I am thrilled at how well these Naids work. I had Fonteneau service them and the tech spent a solid hour with me going through them (and the water maker). He said with regular maintenance they are "bulletproof" which I take as reasonable reliable for a marine system.

I definitely want to add the tabs in front of them you suggested. I am constantly picking out seaweed.

Pat

 

[kelpy]

Stabilizers and a bow thruster are two pieces of equipment that just make life aboard easier and more enjoyable and comfortable. Not required but they sure are appreciated when needed. Along with an ice maker!