SEAKEEPER RIDE: Automatically-operating Trim Tabs to Reduce Roll and Pitch
Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2022 11:55 am
The SEAKEEPER company that has been producing gyroscopic stabilizers for larger boats is about to introduce a new product suitable for smaller boats, branded as the SEAKEEPER RIDE. The product will use two trim-tab-type actuators to control the pitch and roll motions of the boat. The actuators will be controlled by a sophisticated control system that will result in a reduction in pitch and roll motion in seas on smaller boats.
The SEAKEEPER RIDE 450 system for boats 19 to 26-feet will be priced at $4,500.
The SEAKEEPER RIDE 525 system for boats 27 to 30-feet will be priced at $7,500.
The SEAKEEPER RIDE 600 system for boats 31 to 35-feet will be priced at $10,500.
Based on an exploded-view illustration, the actuator unit is to be through-bolted to the transom with four or more long bolts. Installation of the actuators might not be particularly simple on a Boston Whaler Unibond hull due to the nature of the hull at the transom at a location outboard from centerline.
I believe the expectation at this time is the system will mostly be installed by OEM boat builders as a build option. SEAKEEPER has indicated in the future it plans to expand sales to individual boat owners who want to install the system themselves on their own boat.
For more information on how the SEAKEEPER RIDE system works, see
https://ride.seakeeper.com/how-it-works/
The operating principle that makes SEAKEEPER RIDE distinct from manually controlled trim tabs is the position of the SEAKEEPER RIDE trim tabs can be changed in 0.01-second in response to input from a sophisticated control system. The actuator position change speed is 300-mm-per-second or about 1-foot-per-second, or about 0.12-inch in 0.01-second.
While operating the SEAKEEPER RIDE is described as consuming about 7 to 10-Amperes (of what is assumed to be 12-Volt DC power). This means a very robust battery bank must be available to power the device. Unlike the gyroscopic stabilizers, SEAKEEPER RIDE will not work when the boat is not underway. The systems only begins to operate when the boat speed reaches about 10-MPH.
The maximum benefit from the SEAKEEPER RIDE occurs in a boat speed range of 20 to 25-MPH. For many Boston Whaler moderate V-hull designs, an on-plane speed below 25-MPH is often not particularly easy to maintain in rough seas, although in rough seas with the stabilizer working it might become tolerable.
The SEAKEEPER RIDE 450 system for boats 19 to 26-feet will be priced at $4,500.
The SEAKEEPER RIDE 525 system for boats 27 to 30-feet will be priced at $7,500.
The SEAKEEPER RIDE 600 system for boats 31 to 35-feet will be priced at $10,500.
Based on an exploded-view illustration, the actuator unit is to be through-bolted to the transom with four or more long bolts. Installation of the actuators might not be particularly simple on a Boston Whaler Unibond hull due to the nature of the hull at the transom at a location outboard from centerline.
I believe the expectation at this time is the system will mostly be installed by OEM boat builders as a build option. SEAKEEPER has indicated in the future it plans to expand sales to individual boat owners who want to install the system themselves on their own boat.
For more information on how the SEAKEEPER RIDE system works, see
https://ride.seakeeper.com/how-it-works/
The operating principle that makes SEAKEEPER RIDE distinct from manually controlled trim tabs is the position of the SEAKEEPER RIDE trim tabs can be changed in 0.01-second in response to input from a sophisticated control system. The actuator position change speed is 300-mm-per-second or about 1-foot-per-second, or about 0.12-inch in 0.01-second.
While operating the SEAKEEPER RIDE is described as consuming about 7 to 10-Amperes (of what is assumed to be 12-Volt DC power). This means a very robust battery bank must be available to power the device. Unlike the gyroscopic stabilizers, SEAKEEPER RIDE will not work when the boat is not underway. The systems only begins to operate when the boat speed reaches about 10-MPH.
The maximum benefit from the SEAKEEPER RIDE occurs in a boat speed range of 20 to 25-MPH. For many Boston Whaler moderate V-hull designs, an on-plane speed below 25-MPH is often not particularly easy to maintain in rough seas, although in rough seas with the stabilizer working it might become tolerable.