On a recent sea trial, we compared the performance of a Seakeeper 18 and a fin system on a Sunseeker 75 Sport Yacht. Testing each separately in the same sea conditions, we found that the Seakeeper offered 88% roll elimination, while the fin system only offered 65%. Need we say more?

Axial bearingvs radialbearing

When you’re buying a boat, or choosing to refit your current boat, you could research for days about everything on board. Between the boat itself, the electronics, power, and other additional options, it can be overwhelming! But when you’re looking for stabilization, the choice is simple, and more than 25,000 Seakeeper Owners can agree! Choosing a Seakeeper over fin stabilizers makes for the most comfortable, efficient boat you’ll ever own.

Radialaxial bearing

Thrust ball bearings are designed to take axial (thrust) loads at high speeds, but they cannot handle any radial loads. These bearings feature bearing washers with raceway grooves in which the balls move.

We can’t speak for every company, but registering your products, especially your Seakeeper, can come with some great benefits!

Axial bearingvs thrustbearing

Seakeeper was designed to dampen a boat’s cyclic roll motions. It is not a substitute for adequate hull stability, and it won’t prevent instability of other types, like those caused by improper boat operation.

Underway fins can only work to stabilize the boat while it’s underway, utilizing the movement of the water over the fins underwater. More modern fin systems can change position, angling to respond to the boat’s movement and/or water movement. These “zero-speed” fins can move on their own so they can be used while the boat is at rest.

Axial bearingSKF

Thrust ball bearings are classified into “flat seat” and “aligning seat” types, based on the shape of the housing washer (outer ring seat), and as single-direction or double-direction. Spherical and aligning seat washers help to provide tolerance for mounting errors.

When it comes to stabilizing your boat, we know you have options. So why should you choose Seakeeper over fin stabilizers?

Fin stabilizers are external appendages affixed to the hull of a vessel below the waterline. They utilize either the movement of the water, or move themselves, to create a force opposite that of the waves. If a wave pushes the boat to starboard, the fin stabilizer pushes back with a force to prevent the boat from rolling.

Seakeeper is a completely internal, computer-controlled gyroscope that can eliminate up to 95% of boat roll on vessels as small as 23’ and larger than 200’. Inside a vacuum encapsulation, a flywheel spins at speeds of up to 9,750 rpm. When the boat rolls, the sphere tilts fore and aft (precesses), producing a powerful gyroscopic torque to port and starboard that counteracts the boat roll.