nwboater
Senior Member
I'm starting to look seriously at installing active stabilizers on Kika, a 47' Selene trawler. I've read the many posts here, describing and debating pros and cons of fins vs. gyro vs air vs hydraulics... Now we have another option -- electric actuators (servo motors) powered by 24VDC. (https://humphree.com/how-it-works/fin/) Humphree, a Swedish company now offers these active fin stabilizers for trawlers and higher speed yachts. Anyone on the forum have first-hand experience with this new technology?
What's appealing to me is the sheer simplicity of the installation -- a big deal when looking at a retrofit like mine. Installing the fins requires the same effort and hull reinforcement as hydraulic units, but that's where the similarity ends. Instead of heavy duty hydraulic lines, engine pumps, fluid tanks, pressure gauges and controllers, these electronic stabilizers are powered by a typical alternator and controlled with a simple data network. Installation is said to take less than a week. Comments?
What's appealing to me is the sheer simplicity of the installation -- a big deal when looking at a retrofit like mine. Installing the fins requires the same effort and hull reinforcement as hydraulic units, but that's where the similarity ends. Instead of heavy duty hydraulic lines, engine pumps, fluid tanks, pressure gauges and controllers, these electronic stabilizers are powered by a typical alternator and controlled with a simple data network. Installation is said to take less than a week. Comments?