They say you cannot teach an old dog new tricks but it does appear that you can teach an old Feadship how not to roll.
Netherlands-based Feadship is no stranger to milestones, having launched over 200 custom luxury vessels worldwide. One of its 1977 builds, the 23m Maria, recently reached its own landmark, becoming the first Feadship to be fitted with a Seakeeper gyro.
The yacht’s current owner retained her original name, which is now an acronym for Memories Are Really Important Assets. “While it respects her past, it also reflects our belief about why we spend time on the water,” he said.
The recent addition of the Seakeeper M26000 gyro has significantly improved the family’s experience aboard.
“My children being able to invite friends who have no sea legs for a long weekend trip is great. Everyone in the family getting a good night sleep while anchored, despite the relentless Pacific swell, is priceless. The anchoring options now seem unlimited,” he said. “Any form of stress reduction directly improves family time.”
In a sea trial in beam seas off Catalina Island, the gyro achieved 92% resonant roll reduction.
West Coast Propeller of Redondo Beach, California, USA, performed the refit, their first gyro install. The company has provided diversified marine services since 1997.
The yacht was previously equipped with a hydraulically actuated fin stabilizer system. Removing the external appendages gave rise to an improvement in the cruising rpm/speed ratio after eliminating fin drag.
The engine room benefitted too, since we removed the entire hydraulic system dedicated to the fin stabilizers.
Feadship supported the engineering for the gyro installation granting access to the complete set of original 1977 drawings.
Along with the gyro installation the yacht’s refit included complete hull fairing and repainting; replacement of windows, decking and lighting; and upgrades for the anchor handling system, bow thruster and davit.