What are yacht stabilizers and how do they work?

Marine stabilizer systems have been around for a long time, but are typically known for being used on larger passenger ships and super yachts. However, with the dramatically increased comfort and usability stabilizers add to any boat, it has also left owners of small leisure vessels wanting these systems.

What can stabilizers do for me, and why do I need them?

First of all, while most products available of various technologies and levels of efficiency are called stabilizers, the term itself is perhaps a bit misleading. What stabilizers do, is reduce roll movement of a vessel, but not very much of the pitch, sway, yaw, or massive movements you get on a vessel in waves. Luckily, in most situations, the roll is by far the most dominant and most uncomfortable motion, so reducing roll by a good percentage will make a substantial difference in comfort and safety on board.

Read more: How to Choose the Right Stabilizer for Your Boat →

When installing a high performing stabilization system onboard, you benefit from:

Stabilizers provide increased comfort on board

• More use of the boat as you can go out in more weather conditions. 
• People that easily get seasick can now enjoy boating.
• Less wear and tear, as you don't have to always head into, or away from larger waves to avoid uncomfortable rolling motion. 

Stabilizers provide increased safety on board

• Reduced risk of accidents caused by unexpected boat roll.
• Increased crew awareness by less fatigue and discomfort.  

With stabilizers you benefit from reduced fuel consumption overall

While adding fins (or other stabiliser types), most systems will increase the fuel consumption a little at the same speed, fins by direct drag in the water, and gyros by adding weight. However, our claim is that the overall fuel consumption will be reduced because with stabilizers, you can take the direct route to where you wish to go, even in rough conditions.  You can also choose a more fuel efficient speed, with the waves from the side, while still being comfortable (modern cruisers have less roll at higher speeds, thereby people often drive them hard to avoid the rolling).  This is a generic statement for all fin stabiliser systems, with Vector Fins™, this improves even further.

Read more: Vector Fins Stabilizers versus Flat Fins Stabilizers →

Stabilizers increase your boat's secondhand value

Surely, the boat will be a lot more attractive on the used boat market, boasting a system that allows people who might be prone to seasickness to reconsider their ability to enjoy the sea, and thereby adding a whole new range of potential
buyers.