Cruising Sea Venture
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Messages
- 126
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Sea Venture
- Vessel Make
- 54' Cheoy Lee LRT
We added a paravane system to our boat, which is a displacement trawler, but I do not think that is a viable option for Lisas Way. The paravane system requires a significant superstructure to have a system large enough to withstand the strain, and would not necessarily be less expense if correctly engineered. We do a lot of ocean travel and it reduced our roll from over 40 degrees each way to under 10 degrees in 10-12 foot beam seas. They work just as well at anchor.
We did look at gyro's as well, but at 45 tons, the smallest unit that would work was quite large. (36" x 36"). In doing our research the concerns we had about gyro's was the time to get up to speed, about 30 minutes of operation before they worked, and the fact that they required the generator to be running to operate, and they were not operator friendly if needing repairs. In your case, I'd also be a little concerned about the trim of the boat with the added weight in the stern.
Active fins are known commodity on boats your size. The downside is that, as you stated, they don't work at anchor. Our experience is that they become less and less effective as you drop below about 8 knots, since they are a rudder, and only work as good as the water flow going over the fins. I believe this is why they are also less effective in a following sea. They also create drag 100% of the time, whether being used or not. But flipping a switch and instantly on would be very nice.
Obviously, there is no simple solution, and whatever you do, there will be some significant compromises.
Of course, you could always trade the boat in and get a trawler! We spent 4 months this summer cruising throughout SE Alaska, with a good bit of time off the west coast of Baranof Island fishing with the paravanes in the water for days at a time. It was just fantastic.
Best of luck on your adventure -
Jim and Rosy Addington
M/V Sea Venture
We did look at gyro's as well, but at 45 tons, the smallest unit that would work was quite large. (36" x 36"). In doing our research the concerns we had about gyro's was the time to get up to speed, about 30 minutes of operation before they worked, and the fact that they required the generator to be running to operate, and they were not operator friendly if needing repairs. In your case, I'd also be a little concerned about the trim of the boat with the added weight in the stern.
Active fins are known commodity on boats your size. The downside is that, as you stated, they don't work at anchor. Our experience is that they become less and less effective as you drop below about 8 knots, since they are a rudder, and only work as good as the water flow going over the fins. I believe this is why they are also less effective in a following sea. They also create drag 100% of the time, whether being used or not. But flipping a switch and instantly on would be very nice.
Obviously, there is no simple solution, and whatever you do, there will be some significant compromises.
Of course, you could always trade the boat in and get a trawler! We spent 4 months this summer cruising throughout SE Alaska, with a good bit of time off the west coast of Baranof Island fishing with the paravanes in the water for days at a time. It was just fantastic.
Best of luck on your adventure -
Jim and Rosy Addington
M/V Sea Venture
) I really liked it!
