T&T: Active Fin Stabilizers

[Dave Cooper]

<Terry wrote: I like the roll (flume) tank notion. I like passive systems.
But for some boats (especially large ones), maybe the Naiad system would be

sensible.>

I am aware of the Naiad zero speed product. A couple of the mega yachts that
frequent the BVI have them and they do work well according to the captains
I've talked to. OTH, these systems cost a lot more than the normal fins and
require operation of the genset all the time as they are not driven off the
engine. SO if you wanted to use a smaller version on a trawler you'd need to
run the genset whenever you wanted to use the fins underway or at anchor.
Not the option I'd like to use on Swan Song

The big "gorilla" in stabilization is the Flume Company. They deal with many
of the cruise ships and merchant marine fleet.

There is much promise in the gyro's from MHI in Japan if they can solve the
cost, heat and power requirement issues.

The rudder wag system works on fast ships but doesn't scale down well and
requires the boats structure to be built in from the early design phase.

Trim tab stabilizers are slowly beginning to come on the market but again
they are expensive and only work in a limited design envelope.

Paravanes we all know the plus and minus's of.

Ditto convention active fins

We went thru all of these systems, and maybe a couple of others that I can't
remember right now, when looking at one for Swan Song's stabilization
system.

We chose Don Bass' stabilization tank and it works for us. It may not for
you nor may not even be suitable for your boat if it has marginal stability
anyway. Only a full analysis by Don or other marine design professional can
make that call.

Again YMMV and I am only trying to let folks know our experience with
something different in the stabilization arena that works for us on our boat
in the sea conditions we have encountered to date. Hell, we may find
ourselves upside down in a big sea someday again and get to say..."gee I
wish we had gone with active fins so we'd have something to hold onto
instead of this slippery bottom" ;-)

Cheers
Dave
Swan Song