What Is Seakeeper Ride? The Boat Upgrade That Eliminates Roll and Pitch

No one likes a rough, uncomfortable boat ride. Seakeeper Ride is an advanced vessel stabilization system that will significantly improve your boat's performance and your passengers' comfort. This article explains how the system works, who it's for, and what you can expect after getting it installed on your vessel.

Table of Contents

1. What is Seakeeper Ride and What Makes it Different?
2. What to Expect: Benefits and Installation at RJ Nautical
3. The Bottom Line on Seakeeper Ride
4. FAQs

What Is Seakeeper Ride & What Makes it Different?

Boat owners are all too familiar with the pitching and rolling that kicks in when they open up the throttle or power across choppy waters. For decades, this was just accepted as a law of physics, but advancements in marine stabilization technology have changed the game entirely.

Seakeeper Ride uses a first-of-its-kind Vessel Attitude Control System (VACS) taken straight from the aerospace playbook and brought to the marine industry. While the original Seakeeper was a gyrostabilizer installed below deck that cuts out 95% of the side-to-side roll, Seakeeper Ride is a transom-mounted system, meaning Seakeeper Ride controllers are mounted below the waterline, and the system constantly monitors the boat's behaviors across pitch, roll, and yaw axes. Then it computes a counteracting sequence to eliminate up to 70% of the pitch and roll while underway.

Boaters running through coastal chop, beam seas, or offshore conditions will see immediate improvements and enjoy a smoother ride.

The best part is that you only need to turn it on once. This "set it and forget it" system doesn't require any additional management, and once it's programmed, you can just sit back and enjoy the smooth sailing.

Who is Seakeeper Ride Designed For?

Boaters of all types can benefit from Seakeeper Ride, including:

• Weekend boaters who want their families to be comfortable during the ride
• Offshore fishermen who often deal with unpredictable chop
• Coastal cruisers navigating the typical sea conditions in Southern California
• Anyone who cruises at speeds above 20mph
• Anyone who currently uses trim tabs and wants a dramatic performance upgrade
• Boaters with fiberglass or aluminum boats between 19' and 55'

How Does Seakeeper Ride Actually Work?

Seakeeper Ride uses proprietary inertial sensing hardware and software to sense how the boat behaves along the pitch, roll, and yaw axes. The system processes the data in real-time and deploys rotary blades to create lift and counteract unwanted motion to control the vessel's motion instantaneously.

Because motion changes in the water can occur in just milliseconds, Seakeeper Ride's blades make up to 100 adjustments per second to combat wave motions. And a rotary blade deploys from 0 to 100% in one-tenth of a second. They move at speeds of up to 300 mm per second, consuming only 7 to 10 amps of power. This system's combination of speed, precision, and energy efficiency makes for a smooth and controlled boating experience, no matter the conditions.

Key Features of the Seakeeper Ride System

Installing the Seakeeper Ride System on your vessel means you'll be able to take advantage of all the key features it has to offer, including:

• Automatic List Control: This feature keeps the deck level no matter how uneven the weight. If passengers move across the deck to open the cooler or if cargo shifts during the ride, you won't need to manually adjust anything.
• Trim Command Curve: Seakeeper Ride keeps the boat dialed in to the ideal running angle at any speed. You'll automatically get the ideal trim every time.
• Turn Assist: The system continuously alters the heeling angle during turns, keeping you and your guests comfortable and safe.
• Hole Shot Optimization: Enjoy faster acceleration that gets your vessel on plane faster with Seakeeper Ride. The improved fuel economy during the transition to planning also means fuel savings over time.
• Improved Visibility: With the bow bobbing less, you'll have better visibility from the helm. This especially comes in handy during tight maneuvers, low-light conditions, and heavy boat traffic.

What to Expect: Benefits & Installation at RJ Nautical

You didn't buy a boat to look at it sitting idle at the dock. Those who installed Seakeeper Ride have seen their boating hours literally double because they can head out on days when rough waves and wind would have previously kept them on shore.

With Seakeeper Ride, a smoother experience in choppy seas is just one of the benefits. You'll also notice better handling through turns and takeoff, improved passenger comfort with reduced pounding and bow slap, and improved planing, speed, and fuel efficiency.

This effortless, fully automatic operation also enhances boater safety by stabilizing the vessel and cutting down on unexpected motions that can cause accidents or falls on deck.

Installation and Maintenance

To install the Seakeeper Ride, specialists mount the actuators on the boat's transom. This involves connecting hydraulics and electrical components, integrating the control system with the boat's existing systems, and calibrating it for peak performance.

It's essential to choose the right experts to install the system correctly. At RJ Nautical, our factory-trained technicians have 20+ years of marine experience and are experts with the Seakeeper Ride system. We deliver warranty-preserving installations in the LA/Carson area that guarantee long-term reliability.

Then, once the system is set up, maintenance is minimal. Just use freshwater to rinse away salt and debris, and clean off any marine growth.

The Bottom Line on Seakeeper Ride

The breakthrough marine technology Seakeeper Ride offers can keep you and everyone on your boat safe and comfortable, with results that happen consistently, no matter the speed or water conditions. If you're looking to upgrade your vessel beyond the traditional trim tabs and unlock next-level performance, get Seakeeper Ride installed by experts at RJ Nautical today so you can enjoy more time out on the water with better comfort and control.

FAQs

What is Seakeeper Ride?

Seakeeper Ride is a transom-mounted system for your boat that uses proprietary sensors, software, and rapid-deployment rotary blades to stabilize the vessel and automatically reduce pitch and roll by up to 70% under speed and water conditions. It's fully automatic, meaning you set it once and enjoy the ride.

How is Seakeeper Ride different from the original Seakeeper gyrostabilizer?

The original Seakeeper gyrostabilizer eliminates roll while at rest, drifting, and moving at slow speeds. Seakeeper Ride uses underway stabilization to address pitch, roll, and yaw while the boat is moving at speed.

Can RJ Nautical install Seakeeper Ride on my boat in Los Angeles?

Yes, RJ Nautical is LA's premier marine dealership and has the top specialists for installing Seakeeper Ride on your boat. The factory-trained technicians at the Carson, CA, location can assess your vessel and recommend the right Seakeeper Ride model for your boat before fully installing and calibrating it for peak performance.