Will gyros replace "fin" stabilizers on larger boats?
 

On Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:06:48 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

There's a fellow named "maddmike" who frequents the MacGregor
Poweresailor list. He has undertaken various expeditions in a 26X.
One of the many mods he has done to the boat is some type of outrigger
system. It includes shock absorbers.
He explains them a bit here. It's the second maddmike post.
http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/vi...sc&&sta rt=15

Some kind of deployable amas seem like a workable idea to reduce
rolling, especially at anchor. They would be lightweight, and their
buoyancy would have to fit the boat. Strength/weight of the arms
and how they are attached to the hull seem to be the biggest problems.
Not trivial problems at all when you consider the forces at play.
The tunneled water tank system you mentioned seems more elegant,
natural and stress free than amas.

There have been a lot of variations on passive stabilizer systems over
the years. On the west coast it is common to anchor in harbors with
big swells and people use something called "flopper stoppers". West
Marine sells a plastic version and some one else makes a hinged
assembly out of stainless steel. Typically you suspend them out over
the water with the boom or a spinnaker pole. They act as a one way
valve that will sink easily into the water but resist being pulled up.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=flopper+stoppers

I made a set for my old Bertram 33 and they were quite effective in
slowing the roll down to a tolerable level.

Fishing trawlers and some recreational trawlers use paravanes which
are towed through the water from long outriggers to reduce roll.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=paravanes

Will gyros replace "fin" stabilizers on larger boats?
 

Steve Dashew's boat uses overhead water ballast as roll stabalizer, as
well as large underwater fins.
www.setsail.com