--- title: How to choose the right stabilizer for your boat description: What to consider when choosing the right stabiliser for your boat? Gyro or fin-technology? image: https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/Skjermbilde%202019-10-31%20kl.%2012.54.34.png --- [![Side Power by Sleipner](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Side_Power_by_Sleipner_R_300px.png?width=214&name=Side_Power_by_Sleipner_R_300px.png "Side Power by Sleipner")](https://blog.side-power.com/en?hsLang=en) ![](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/Template%20Files/Flags/EN-01.png) [![](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/Template%20Files/Flags/NO-01.png)](https://blog.side-power.com/no?hsLang=en) [![](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/Template%20Files/Flags/SE-01.png)](https://blog.side-power.com/se?hsLang=en) [![](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/Template%20Files/Flags/DE-01.png)](https://blog.side-power.com/de?hsLang=en) [![](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/Template%20Files/Flags/IT-01.jpg)](https://blog.side-power.com/it?hsLang=en) ![Pier talk_EN_72dpi](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Template%20Files/New%20blog%20header/Pier%20talk_EN_72dpi.png?width=600&name=Pier%20talk_EN_72dpi.png) - [Latest posts](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en) - [Marine Stabilizers](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/category/marine-stabilizers) - [Marine Thrusters](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/category/marine-thrusters) - [Marine Hydraulics](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/category/hydraulic-thrusters) # [How to choose the right stabilizer for your boat](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/how-to-choose-the-right-stabilizer-for-your-boat) By [Ronny Skauen](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/author/ronny-skauen) 31. October 2019 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![stabilization system yacht](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Skjermbilde%202019-10-31%20kl.%2012.54.34.png?width=1605&name=Skjermbilde%202019-10-31%20kl.%2012.54.34.png) #### Over the last few years, roll stabilization has become a must-have for boat owners due to the impressive increase in comfort it delivers. The dramatic roll reduction modern systems provide also increases safety onboard and as a result, allows many families to get more use out of their boats. ## Key things to consider when choosing a stabilizer It’s not always so clear what type of [stabilization system](http://slides.sleipner.no/stabilizer-systems/?__hstc=203514447.d663cdfeac7192ffd855a30af4128b98.1580732781249.1582284341416.1582287782597.54&__hssc=203514447.2.1582287782597&__hsfp=1385897888) to choose because the two leading technologies (fins and gyros) have significant functional differences, meaning that no one type suits all boats or all owners’ cruising priorities. - Choose the right stabilization technology to match the type of boating you do. - Check the practical limitations of your boat – not all systems will fit all boats, mainly due to space limitations. - Consider what is best suited to your boat and what is likely to retain the most value when the time comes to sell – some sizes and style of boat lean more towards one technology than another. Read more: [What are marine stabilizers and what do they do? →](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/what-do-marine-stabilizers-do?hsLang=en) ## Understanding the basics  Stabilization is a complex topic that is often not fully understood, even by boat industry professionals. To ensure you get the correct stabilization technology for your boat usage, the most important thing to understand is that the performance of any system is always limited. It is limited by the actual forces the stabiliser is able to generate in order to ‘fight’ the roll force that a wave applies to the boat. ![illustration of curved vector fins](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Skjermbilde%202019-10-31%20kl.%2013.19.33.png?width=600&name=Skjermbilde%202019-10-31%20kl.%2013.19.33.png) Also, remember that the roll forces depend not just on the wave height but also on the time during which it affects the boat (wavelength). Another big factor is the speed of the boat due to the fundamental law of physics; force = speed2. The number to look for is Newton Meter Second, as this reflects the total force over the whole wave and roll at any speed. Read more: [Vector fins stabilizers versus flat fins stabilizers →](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/the-difference-between-vector-fins-stabilisers-and-flat-fins-stabilisers?hsLang=en) Gyro-type stabilizers are installed inside the boat and get their total roll reduction force from the precession motion that they generate to resist the roll of a boat. This also means they have the same total force regardless of wave period and boat speed; when the precession motion reaches the end of its travel, there is no more force available in that direction. ![Illustration of comparison of flat fins and vector fins stabilizators](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Skjermbilde%202019-10-31%20kl.%2012.53.40.png?width=600&name=Skjermbilde%202019-10-31%20kl.%2012.53.40.png) Fin stabilizers act in the water and have two ways of creating roll reduction force, depending on the boat’s speed. At zero speed or ‘at anchor’ mode, the fins rotate rapidly (flap) to generate force and like the gyro, have a definite limit and stops when they reach the end of their travel. However, when the boat is moving forward, fins also generate roll reduction forces by the angle at which they pass through the water, like adjustable airplane wings or underwater foils. This force increases by speed squared, so the faster the boat moves, the more force they generate. Crucially, they can hold this force for as long as the boat keeps moving forward. ![Graph showing vector versus gyro in speed and force](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Skjermbilde%202019-10-31%20kl.%2012.53.28.png?width=600&name=Skjermbilde%202019-10-31%20kl.%2012.53.28.png) The force generated at different speeds by a gyro, flat fins, and curved Vector fins in a typical 75ft planing Motoryacht is made clear in the graph shown above. ## Which system is right for you?  If your only priority is having stabilization at zero speed, with these size choices, the gyro will eliminate more roll than the fins when anchored. However, if you also use your boat on longer cruises and want to have excellent stabilization when cruising in the open sea between sheltered anchorages, fins have a colossal force benefit. They can reduce or eliminate many times the wave height and length of a gyro of this size. ![Side-Power vector fins in a range of sizes](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Skjermbilde%202019-10-31%20kl.%2012.53.55.png?width=600&name=Skjermbilde%202019-10-31%20kl.%2012.53.55.png) You can, of course, choose a bigger gyro (or multiple smaller ones) to increase the cruising capability, but then size and weight really start to make an impact – to match the fins at eight knots, you need to more than quadruple the size of a gyro. Alternatively, you can choose bigger fins to match the gyro performance at zero speed. Historically, the reason for not doing this was the added resistance from bigger fins causing loss of speed and increased fuel consumption, but this has now changed with the introduction of curved Vector fins. Because these also create lift underway, they typically reduce the boat’s hull drag by approximately the same amount as the drag the fins create, making it a break-even scenario. In some cases, this even results in a small gain in speed and fuel efficiency. ## Summary There are undoubtedly many other considerations when choosing between the principles of fins or gyro stabilizers, and yet more to weigh up when comparing different brands of the two technologies. Still, it all starts with having enough force available when you need it. For more in-depth articles about stabilization in general and for detailed information about the performance of Side-power Vector fins, please visit [www.side-power.com.](https://side-power.com/)   [![Download free guide: Installation guide for stabilizers](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4156488/289d5615-0ff9-4f56-ac38-3d11448699d0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4156488/289d5615-0ff9-4f56-ac38-3d11448699d0) Topics: [Marine Stabilizers](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/topic/marine-stabilizers?hsLang=en), [Industry Professionals](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/topic/industry-professionals?hsLang=en) ![Ronny Skauen's photo](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/hubfs/RonnySkauen.png) By: [Ronny Skauen](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/author/ronny-skauen) Ronny Skauen has worked at Sleipner Motor for almost 30 years. He is the CEO of the group and very hands-on with all our boat builder partners. Ronny has always been extremely product-driven, focusing on practical and real customer benefits in functionality and safety. He is the inventor of several key products and features in the Side-Power product range, including the revolutionary Vector Fins™ and Intelligent Power Control. His long relationship with especially boatbuilder engineering departments around the world, as well as a strong practical understanding and experience, have made him recognized as one of the most competent resources within the thruster and stabilization technologies in the industry. [![Følg på LinkedIn](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/436498/file-2382838269-png/social_media_icons/color/linkedin-icon-body-1.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronny-skauen-93007a13) Welcome to Pier Talk – a place for boaters, by boaters.   Here we share our expert knowledge and guidance on boat equipment, tips for maintenance, as well as practical experiences about life at sea.   Stay up to date by signing up for the topics you find interesting ☺️   Side-Power is a world-leading manufacturer of thrusters and stabilizer systems for recreational boats, yachts, and commercial vessels up to 160 feet/ 50 meters.   Explore [side-power.com](https://side-power.com) ### Recent posts [![Download free installation guide for stabilizers](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4156488/9cc1665c-be16-4e86-9219-e8f79c4ce81a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4156488/9cc1665c-be16-4e86-9219-e8f79c4ce81a) ### Posts by topic - [Boat Owners (11)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/boat-owners) - [Marine Thrusters (9)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/marine-thrusters) - [Marine Stabilizers (8)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/marine-stabilizers) - [Industry Professionals (6)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/industry-professionals) - [Thruster - Leisure (5)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/thruster-leisure) - [Vector fins™ (5)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/vector-fins) - [Marine Hydraulics (4)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/marine-hydraulics) - [thrusters (4)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/thrusters) - [bow thruster (3)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/bow-thruster) - [stabilizers (3)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/stabilizers) - [anti roll (2)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/anti-roll) - [hull design (2)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/hull-design) - [stern thruster (2)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/stern-thruster) - [DC Speed Control (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/dc-speed-control) - [Safety (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/safety) - [Seasickness (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/seasickness) - [Side Power (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/side-power) - [Thruster - Work boats (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/thruster-work-boats) - [Yachting (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/yachting) - [customer service (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/customer-service) - [fin stabilizer (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/fin-stabilizer) - [gyro stabilizer (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/gyro-stabilizer) - [proportional control (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/proportional-control) - [reduce noise (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/reduce-noise) - [small boats (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/small-boats) - [thruster power (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/thruster-power) - [waves (1)](https://blog.sleipnergroup.com/en/tag/waves) See all topics ### Search Search **Want to know more?**  Visit our stabilizer guide:  Go to our guide here **Explore our stabilizer products** Find the right solution for your vessel.  [See all products here](https://www.sleipnergroup.com/stabilizers/vector-fins?IS_LEISURE=1) Find a distributor Talk to one of our dealers. 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