Mastering motion on the seas
Adam Fiander takes a look at the latest energy saving ideas in yacht stability, and with today’s superyacht owners being more informed about the latest technology within the market, they all have their eyes on improving the experience and comfort when at sea.
From diminutive gyros for small boats, to the science behind some of today’s elegant, swept-curve fins, it’s been fascinating to learn about different ways that stability product manufacturers have moved the game forward over the past 5 to 10 years.
More recent technology such as magnus effect rotors and dynamic foils have added voice to the argument about which system is best for which type of boat and prevailing conditions.
But the one thing that connects this glorious technology is that it has been developed, predominantly, with motorboats, as opposed to sailing yachts, in mind.
It’s good, therefore, to throw some light on a retractable foil stability system that has made a name for itself exclusively in the sailing yacht world.
The system is DSS ‘Dynamic Stability Systems’ and like many of the best ideas, it’s a relatively simple one ‘in theory’ and is based upon a retractable foil deployed on the leeward side of a sailing yacht, that creates lift and therefore increases the righting moment (the angle of heel) in a way that a canting keel, or water ballast does when deployed on the windward side.
As we know, yachts sail faster when upright, and the added benefit of crew and passenger comfort also comes to the fore.
But anything in the water in addition to the hull will create extra drag, and all foils require speed to work so that the lift created exceeds the drag. So when the boat is not at sufficient speed it gains no performance benefit from the foil when talking about increased speed.
However, there remains the dual benefit of reduction in heeling and pitching. Generally, the worse the sea state, the greater the benefit of DSS in relation to the motion and comfort on board.
Never a company to rest on their laurels, Sleipner Motor have refined the shape and profile of their patented Vector Fins™ even further, with three subtle variations of their fins, namely V3, V4 and V5 with the variation in shape and profile barely perceptible to the human eye.
These scientific variations enable boat owners, captains, builders and refit yards (with guidance from experts at Sleipner) to seriously ‘fine-tune’ their fin + actuator choice to maximise stabilizing advantage.
There’s none of this ‘off the shelf’ malarky here. Sleipner’s choices offer two or even three different fin options for each actuator applicable based mainly upon size and installation possibilities for boats from 14m to 45m.
The skill lies in the ability to tweak final fin choice for optimal performance based upon factors such as a boat’s maximum speed, and with the guesswork taken away, this is bespoke tailoring at its finest, controlled via an attractive MFD display that will connect with other existing onboard systems for a unified display.
Last but not least, three ‘set-piece’ functions, namely, Dock mode, which limits fin stroke angle to avoid hitting the dock or other submerged structures, Eco mode, which limits power consumption to extend battery life at anchor and Dynamic Positioning mode, which prevents fin-lock during low-speed reversing, all with low energy consumption possibilities makes you wonder what else can be done to improve these Vector Fins™ any further!
Remaining on the subject of fins, in March last year, Quantum’s new F45 Integrated Hybrid Power System was installed for the very first time on a significant 47m Feadship.
The owner states, “I am extremely pleased with the power savings and have a lot of confidence in the performance of the Quantum systems. As a yacht owner, I feel a responsibility to support new technologies, especially as it relates to clean energy alternatives.”
The result of four years’ worth of development and six months of intensive testing, resulted in a power system that achieved unexpected efficiencies, using technology to power stabilizers as needed, when needed. A traditional hydraulic system must remain at 40% power, even at Idle, so there is a lot of wasted energy, whereupon the F45 remains at 1kW in standby mode.
The F45 represents a breakthrough in stabilizer technology, with the design merging the best aspects of electric and hydraulic power together – hence a true ‘hybrid.’ When compared to a traditional hydraulic system, the results show power savings at 60% in zero speed mode and 80% recovery energy in underway mode.
The downside is that extreme power fluctuations such as this, can sometimes cause problems for generators and a yacht’s overall power demand. The solution? An energy recovery system called MESS (Mass Energy Storage System) that stores and recovers energy generated as a result of the fins flapping to and fro at both zero speed or when underway, and using flywheel technology, the energy recovery system is part of the F45’s ability to manage these power fluctuations accordingly.
In terms of efficiency, Italian manufacturer, Smartgyro Srl, now part of Yanmar, are doing all they can to make installation and servicing of their gyro systems as quick and efficient as possible. Fabrizio Stifani, R&D Manager, told me: “Our modular design concept ensures components such as the base frame are engineered to be disassembled for easy installation through narrow access hatches, making retrofitting efficient and cost- effective.
“Our stabilizers are compatible with existing setups, making them an excellent choice for retrofitting or upgrading without the need for significant vessel modifications, and our unique sphere modularity allows onboard servicing, reducing the need for complete system replacements and minimises waste during maintenance. Vessel haul-outs and downtime are without doubt less.”
Noise pollution is another distasteful occurrence on board a boat that can be minimised with intelligent engineering and Smartgyro’s day and night mode allows users to switch to nighttime operation which reduces gyro revolutions per minute and is said to save up to 35% of power consumption in this mode. Perfect for quieter environments when all you want to do is to get some sleep, knowing you might even be saving a few quid in the process.
Did you know that you can now attend a university dedicated to the art of keeping upright?
No, it’s got nothing to do with the amount of alcohol consumed in the marina bar, instead, it’s a relatively recent initiative from gyro manufacturer, Seakeeper, who have set-up a combination of at-home and in-person training sessions for anyone needing to improve their technical ability when it comes to installing, servicing and maintaining predominantly Seakeeper gyros with a range catering for boats from as small as 23ft to 85ft plus.
Based in San Salvatore, Italy, boat technicians from dealers and boat yards across Europe, the Middle East and Africa can apply to attend the courses just like going back to school, with dedicated workplaces, toolboxes and demo gyro units provided for hands-on instruction in learning how to properly install, service, maintain and sell the benefits of a Seakeeper.
The numbers are very impressive and a press release on the Seakeeper website states that approximately 10,000+ ‘students’ have already completed the e-learning modules and the programme has successfully trained more than 1,100 technicians in hands- on certifications. Outside of Italy there are other dedicated training centres in Tampa, Florida and Australia’s Gold Coast.
Product-wise, the 38 to 44ft boat size range (Seakeeper 4) and the 40ft to 46ft range (Seakeeper 4.5), for example, have seen power outputs increase in the latest models while physical footprint sizes have decreased, in some cases by up to 7%, meaning a trade-in of an older style Seakeeper gyro can be had with no hull or infrastructure changes required.
Modern yacht owners are more informed about the market than ever, and now they have their eyes on the cutting edge of technology for new solutions with the potential to improve their overall yachting experience. The future of stabiliser systems promises even greater benefits. Emerging technologies such as AI-driven stabilization, integration with eco-friendly energy systems, and advanced materials for lightweight construction are on the horizon. These developments not only enhance comfort but also align with the industry’s growing focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
Whether at anchor or underway, the fusion of cutting-edge technology with the timeless appeal of yachting ensures that stabilizers remain a cornerstone of innovation in the superyacht world, offering unmatched luxury and performance for years to come.
