Expeditionyacht.org » Stabilizers

Maglift stabilizer update

thorwald — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:07:10 +0000

Since the 2007 Fort Lauderdale Boatshow, we have been in touch with Quantum Hydraulics to design a 2-rotor system that could tame the roll of this expedition yacht. As you can see on videos in earlier posts in the stabilizer section of this blog, stabilizers will certainly improve comfort under certain sea conditions. That this system works can also be seen in the video in this post.
Over the last few months we have looked at the placement and the illustrations below show the solution.

This is how it looks from a distance.

Actually a pretty neat solution if you ask me. No 4 big fins sticking out but 2 decent sized retractable rotors. While we sacrifice about 30 tons of fuel tank space (about 60 remaining), we created 2 water tight compartments as class rules requires with the hydraulic unit neatly tucked away there and still with room to move around.

Below a few more images to illustrate this solution. Click for a bigger view.

For more information on these systems for your yacht, concact Mike Perkins of Quantum Hydraulics in Ft. Lauderdale at mperkins @ quantumhydraulic . com

Need for stabilizers

thorwald — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:33:23 +0000

Just found this video made during the crossing. It shows that stabilizers wouldn’t be a bad thing . Of course, on this video we have a 3+ meter swell coming in from behind, not the most typical weather conditions encountered near the coast but still… Walking around was kind of a low-impact aerobics exercise in these conditions.

On the other hand, with a different course, these vessels do just fine.

(C) Flying Focus, aerial photography in Bussum, The Netherlands

‘Maglift’ rotary stabilizers @ zero speed

thorwald — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:09:16 +0000

This has been my “stabilizer” week although it feels more like a roller coaster. I started with a post about the retractable Rolls Royce Aquarius stabilizers. Great equipment but pricey, heavy and big.

I then got a quote from Mike Perkins at Quantum Hydraulics in Ft. Lauderdale, the folks that market the Dutch made fin stabilizer systems. This was for a 4-fin system. And while the price was a lot better, well, I just continued to dislike the idea of 4 big blades (2.5 m2 each) sticking out of my hull. I had also gotten in touch with NAIAD as their site listed both traditional fins and retractable fins but unfortunately, this is one of those sites that is not kept up to date and they don’t sell any retractable systems. Besides, they seem have some serious design issues at NAIAD.

Quantum hydraulics also offers the “Maglift” stabilizers. A very interesting solution, using rotary stabilizers that make use of the so-called “Magnus effect”. These are perfect for my slow moving trawler but, they currently only offered models that would also require 4 stabilizers. While retractable, that still left me with 4 rotating stabilizers and maintainance was my main concern. After all, we’re talking about 1-ft diameter “tubes” that spin at up to about 700 rpm.

However, Mike told me there had been discussions in Holland about a bigger rotor system what would allow us to use a 2-rotor system so I decided to call the big boss himself, Theo Koop and find out if I could expect the development of such a system for my size vessel within the next 12 months.

The answer was yes! My rotors would probably 33 cm diameter with a length of about 2.5 meters. The maintainance issues are totally resolved due to a new design and they want to make 2008 the year of the Maglift stabilizers. I look forward to that.

More in the near future. Meanwhile, check out the Quantum Hydraulics website and, visit John Caro’s site to read the story about the Maglift rotary stabs as they are installed on the Inace, a Brazilian-built explorer yacht and his very good explanation of roll issues.

This video below – showing an older model stabilizers – shows the concept actually works very well . And for an animation of how this system works, check this link.

Convert trawler to Rolls Royce?

thorwald — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:42:17 +0000

Well, who knows? As our transatlantic journey showed us, if we want to be really comfortable under all circumstances, we simply need stabilizers.

Unfortunately, all the options out there require 2 sets of stabilizers (= 4 fins). Except one: this one.

This stabilizer solution offers a few big advantages:

It works at anchor
We need only two fins (less complicated installation and allowing
installation at most effective location)
They are retractable so they are out of the way when you don’t need them
(handy in port and safer at anchor when guests want to swim)
We have space in the center fuel wing tanks so they won’t take valuable accommodation space (although it would cut our range to ‘just’ 7000 nm’)

OK. It’s not cheap but it’s probably the most cost-effective solution with a proven track record and reputation of a major brand.

We’ll keep you posted regarding this exciting solution.