Gil, thanks for your reply. Let me suggest there are many valid questions to
ask, including mine. When looking for opinions on the value of an accessory
for boats, I can not think of any better population to poll than people who
have the accessory on their boat with experience in its use. Today I crossed
Pamlico Sound, returning from Ocracoke Island to New Bern, NC in small
following seas. As always happens, a rather large Sea Ray came charging past
our boat and a motor yacht about 80 feet long ahead of us. Our boat took a 3
degree roll (roll gauge installed) and I will estimate the roll of the motor
yacht at 15 degrees. It certainly depends where you boat, what boat you have,
and what you want to spend, but active fin stabilizers, when under way are
outstanding. I also believe a key element of offering comparison opinions, is
experience with the items you are comparing. This is not always the case in
this discussion of active fin stabilizers.
Pete
----- Original Message -----
From: Gil Johnson
To: TWL
Cc: pdrez@cox.net
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 4:40 PM
Pete asked: Would you prefer to have your boat without the stabilizers?
Reply: The unamous answer is probably no, but is this the right question to
ask? My boat has reinforced pads installed ready for active stabilizers, but
they'll probably go unused. Why? Two answers; first, in actual use we have
found our semi-displacement hull to be very stable at hull speed. That's not
to say the ride wouldn't be better with active stabilzers, it's just my
opinion that based on our cruising stabilzers wouldn't be worth their expense
(installation and life cycle support). Secondly, we spend a lot of time on
the hook so if I was going to really get maximum benefit from stabilzers it
would probably be with paravanes that would dampen the roll both while uder
way as well as at anchorage.
Gil
Gil, thanks for your reply. Let me suggest there are many valid questions to
ask, including mine. When looking for opinions on the value of an accessory
for boats, I can not think of any better population to poll than people who
have the accessory on their boat with experience in its use. Today I crossed
Pamlico Sound, returning from Ocracoke Island to New Bern, NC in small
following seas. As always happens, a rather large Sea Ray came charging past
our boat and a motor yacht about 80 feet long ahead of us. Our boat took a 3
degree roll (roll gauge installed) and I will estimate the roll of the motor
yacht at 15 degrees. It certainly depends where you boat, what boat you have,
and what you want to spend, but active fin stabilizers, when under way are
outstanding. I also believe a key element of offering comparison opinions, is
experience with the items you are comparing. This is not always the case in
this discussion of active fin stabilizers.
Pete
----- Original Message -----
From: Gil Johnson
To: TWL
Cc: pdrez@cox.net
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 4:40 PM
Pete asked: Would you prefer to have your boat without the stabilizers?
Reply: The unamous answer is probably no, but is this the right question to
ask? My boat has reinforced pads installed ready for active stabilizers, but
they'll probably go unused. Why? Two answers; first, in actual use we have
found our semi-displacement hull to be very stable at hull speed. That's not
to say the ride wouldn't be better with active stabilzers, it's just my
opinion that based on our cruising stabilzers wouldn't be worth their expense
(installation and life cycle support). Secondly, we spend a lot of time on
the hook so if I was going to really get maximum benefit from stabilzers it
would probably be with paravanes that would dampen the roll both while uder
way as well as at anchorage.
Gil
