Stabilizer fin size

[Scarlett]

I ordered my new stabilizers from Naiad, they said I need 6 square foot fins. Today I finally got my quote from ABT and they suggested 7.5 square foot fins. We run at 9 knots most of the time. We are a 53 MY. Those of you with stabilizers what size are yours and do you wish the fins were bigger or is 6 sq. Feet about right. Thanks, John

 

[Westfield 11]

I believe you have a choice between 3, 6 and 9 square feet. We also run at hull speed and our 6 foot fins seem to be effective. However I have never been on a boat with 9’s to compare.

 

[DLCameron2]

Hi John!

I have 6 foot WESMARS. The 7.5 sound like overkill and may create a lot of drag. Lets see what others have to say. Hope all is well out there! Hang in there!

DC

 

[Pascal]

My ABT Trac are 6 sq ft. Much bigger than the Vospers they replaced. No idea if the Vospers where enough since they never worked

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Mine are 4.5 sq ft and they work well. I imagine 6 sq ft would be even better, but I would think 7.5 is overkill. I usually run at 9kts but I find that when it gets really snotty, I need to push it up to 11 to get more water over the fins.

My friend with the 60C also has 4.5 sq ft fins and his are definitely too small at hull speed but work fine at 19kts.

 

[Scarlett]

Sounds like 6 sq feet is about right. Thanks for all the input, I won’t have to change my order now.

 

[kelpy]

If you are only running 9 knots, get the largest fins that will fit. The increased drag is negligible and you won't have to speed up if it gets snotty when you really want or need to go a bit slower. Nice when you are running up or down the coast and the westerlies kick up in the afternoon. You won't regret the decision.

 

[scottinsydney]

Hi John, we went with 7 foot fins for our boat and it is quite stable at 8 kn in moving seas. However 6 foot should work ok for you. On Sydney Harbour, we sometimes get the big boat hoons coming close to us at high-speed and if we are only doing 6 kn, larger fins will work better at slower speeds. I am not sure about the setup of the NIAID fins, but we were able to program in hydraulic pressure and the movement range for the fins.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I am not sure about the setup of the NIAID fins, but we were able to program in hydraulic pressure and the movement range for the fins.

The old gyro Naiad systems can be adjusted as well. There is a needle valve that you adjust to increase pressure which makes the fins react faster.