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Pure balance: How to keep your yacht steady at sea

12 March 2021 • Written by SKF Marine

Whether cruising, at anchor or moored up, there’s nothing that impacts the luxury yachting experience more than a rolling yacht. Minimising roll not only keeps guests and crew safe and maximises their enjoyment on board, but is proven to boost yacht fuel economy and performance.

SKF Marine makes the intimidating task of selecting the right yacht stabilizers an easy one. The German company boasts high-quality service, expert knowledge and, most importantly, product reliability. Drawing on 60 years’ experience producing more than 700 stabilizer systems, SKF offers both non-retractable (type FZ) and retractable (type Z) stabilizers in a range of fin sizes up to 19 sqm. 

Protected by international patents, both systems offer intelligent and responsible balance control to ensure comfortable and safe voyages for guests and crew. Both designs are based on a single-piece fin, which provides high-quality stabilization while underway and at anchor. While especially suited for larger yachts measuring over 50 metres, both the type FZ and type Z stabilizers ensure improved stability on yachts of all sizes. 

Both are powered by a 120-degree high torque rotary vane actuator, which ensures reliable and correct roll reduction in all conditions and is considered more effective than a cylinder-driven stabilizer system. Thanks to the patented, swept design, the type Z fin can be housed entirely within the hull without any protrusion. Both systems run off silent hydraulic power and can be equipped with SKF’s EcoMode software for efficiency and reduced fuel consumption based on weather conditions and retrospective ship's movement analyses. 

All SKF stabilizers are equipped with state-of-the-art GUI (graphical user interface), which allows SKF specialists, together with a global network of remote diagnostic centers (RDC), to remotely access the system and provide troubleshooting assistance to the crew at any time.

SKF Marine combines its track record of manufacturing technically outstanding stabilizers with committed customer care. SKF Marine is not only dedicated to the engineering of fin stabilizers, but other selected areas of a yacht’s engineering needs. The company offers services, from technical consulting and design services in the planning phase, to project management and premium maintenance over the full-service life of their customers’ yachts.

Click here for more information on SKF Marine and its services.

Sponsored content created in collaboration with SKF Marine.