The FPB 64 hydraulic system provides power to the stabilizers and damage control pump. Oil flows from a pump mounted on a transmission PTO through the block valve in the photo above.
Inside the manifold are solenoid actuated valves. These solenoids are controlled with the NAIAD computer and the bilge pump system float switches.
As a back up, manually operated levers are installed. If the solenoids or their control system were to fail, hydraulic oil could still be directed to the stabilizers or damage control pump.
Posted by Steve Dashew (February 7, 2010)
March 4th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Steve.
Would you care to comment on Seakeeper stabilizers. They work even at anchor and don’t protrude from the hull. Would you use them on future projects, seeing you don’t offer options?
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Steve Dashew Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Hi Max:
We talked to the Seakeeper (gyro stabilizer) guys a couple of years ago, and after your question touched base with them to see where they are at now. The big advantage of the system is the lack of protruding fins. But there are some disadvantages depending on how you evaluate things. Cost is one, on a boat like the FPB 64 it would take two units and add about$100,000 to the cost of the boat. Second is operational cost. At present the service life of the bearings is 2000 hours after which you do an R and R on a 700 pound unit(s) at $12,000 each. Say $28,000 with freight and labor or $14.00 per operating hour.
There are also some uncertainties about use in heavy weather with high wave induced accelerations.
In some situations the Seakeeper may make sense (they have sold 225 so far), and we are going to keep an eye on them and see how they work out over time.
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