Anti-Roll Gyros (SeaKeeper, Tohmei, etc)

[Rennsail]

My admiral doesn't do great in rolly seas. She can handle it with Dramamine, but even a 1/2 pill pretty much knocks her out (naptime). Anybody have any experience using one these ARG units on their sailboat? They're getting cheaper and smaller units run on 12v.

[AlfaGTV]

12V units? How much power do they use?
I've been on a Princess motoryacht that has a Seakeeper gyro. The boat has a dedicated generator (20kw) to power the gyro. Those gyro's also take hours to spin up/down.

[Rennsail]

Originally Posted by AlfaGTV

12V units? How much power do they use?
I've been on a Princess motoryacht that has a Seakeeper gyro. The boat has a dedicated generator (20kw) to power the gyro. Those gyro's also take hours to spin up/down.

Here is a link to the specs on the Seakeeper 5. Spool up times I am seeing are more in the 20 to 30 minute range. I do think these bigger units would be power hogs. But running a generator occasionally to eliminate a rolly night on the hook might just be worth it. My admiral is great, but without sleep, Cap'n Bligh is a distinct possibility.



https://www.seakeeper.com/seakeeper_...s/seakeeper-5/

[LakeSuperior]

Based on the weight, cost, and infrastructure you could spend a lifetime yachting and come out money ahead by staying in marinas and dining onshore.

There are a whole host of issues that contribute to anchoring out anxiety. You could skip all that. If you think about it, most (not all) yachters don't spend much time hanging on the hook. You could forego those few nights under starry starry skies.

Also consider, you may invest in this unit and integration thereof on your sailboat only to find your wife still is not comfortable.

Consider that this unit weights as much as five normal people.

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by Rennsail

My admiral doesn't do great in rolly seas. She can handle it with Dramamine, but even a 1/2 pill pretty much knocks her out (naptime). Anybody have any experience using one these ARG units on their sailboat? They're getting cheaper and smaller units run on 12v.

How about a multihull instead of a mono?

[Rennsail]

Originally Posted by Bill O

How about a multihull instead of a mono?

Cats have been in the discussion for awhile But I am starting to wonder/consider the price differential between a newer 50' mono with an ARG vs. a 42' newer cat.

[sailormed]

Multihull would be the cheaper solution. These gyros need to be fixed in the grid that is part of the hull. The existing grid needs to be reinforced seriously to take the load. Better buy another boat then going down this road.

[tomrealest]

Buy her a relief ban at reliefban.com. I have had 2 on my boat for years and they have worked for most people. I have the original version that not hi-tech. I don't know if the newer version is better or not. FOLLOW the instructions.

[MartinR]

Under what conditions does your boat roll? Dead downwind is easily avoided by broad reaching instead. Then the sails stabilise the roll, probably more than a gyro could.

At anchor is still easier. Use a spring on the cable to point the boat into the waves.

Also, except downwind, narrower boats tend to roll less than wider boats.

[dougweibel]

That Seakeeper 5 wants 1 to 2 kilowatts of power depending on sea state. Don't confuse the control power requirement with the operating power requirement in their specs.

I'd be very interested to hear what the Seakeeper people say about installing one of their units in a keelboat with several tons of lead hanging on a keel. I expect they'd tell you you need to upsize their unit substantially to handle the the load. The angular momentum on a 45' keelboat is nothing like that of a 45' express cruiser.

[johnn33]

Perhaps one of these would help your wife whilst you are anchored
Offshore Sailor: Flopper stopper - make your own
John

[MartinF]

On the side, I find Stugeron to be more effective than Dramamine, AND not soporific. You could use the dramamine as sleeping pills!
M

[Jono as 2234]

Originally Posted by MartinF

On the side, I find Stugeron to be more effective than Dramamine, AND not soporific. You could use the dramamine as sleeping pills!
M

I agree. Ancolan was very good too, but I believe it's out of production. When you visit Oz, bring your own Stugeron, as it's not available domestically.

[Mike Banks]

If it is just sleeping, try using a hammock. Ship rolls--hammock swings--snoring continues.