Choosing a Gyro: Air-Cooled vs. Water-Cooled
Gyroscopic stabilizers reduce up to 95% of your vessel’s roll, but choosing the right style can be complex.
Knowing how your gyro is cooled could be the secret sauce to choosing the best system.
20 years ago, yacht stabilization was binary: yes or no. Fin stabilizers or bust. Today’s stabilization systems have evolved significantly: fins stabilizers are offered in hydraulic and electro-actuated versions, alongside the darling of yacht-tech, gyroscopic stabilization.
While gyroscopic stabilizers — “gyros” — claim most of the day boat market, the option between air-cooled and water-cooled systems has caused quite the debate. Manufacturers and retrofit crews are picking sides, and you should too.
In this article, we will:
What gyroscopic stabilization is
Why you would want gyroscopic stabilization
Define water-cooled vs. air-cooled gyro stabilizers
Why the most important factor of your gyro is its cooling system
How to choose the best cooling option for you
What is a gyroscopic stabilizer?
Gyros spin a heavy load at high RPM to create centrifugal force, throwing off serious heat.
Gyroscopic stabilizers in yachts spin heavy loads and use centrifugal force to counter the nauseating impact of waves and swells on your boat. These “gyros” are installed inside your yacht and take up a surprisingly small amount of space compared to their impressive impact. Gyros are most effective while you’re at anchor, counterbalancing your boat against nauseating seas. Gyros are still effective at speed, but physics reduces effectiveness as speed increases.
To reach peak effectiveness, the gyro needs to “spool up”; the process of its internal wheel reaching its optimal RPM. Spooling can take anywhere from 20-60+ minutes depending on your system’s size, so buyer beware if you’re expecting instant stability.
With great results comes great cost. Gyroscopic systems can start around $20,000 and run into the hundreds of thousands. Labor can also run high (especially in retrofits), considering installation may require movement of existing components, yard time, thru hulls and auxiliary cooling systems.
Is all the money worth the results? Let your seasick stomach be the judge.
Why do I need a gyroscopic stabilizer?
Do you get seasick? Gyro stabilizers can reduce your boat’s roll by up to 95%. This includes while you sleep, while you idle through the intracoastal and while you fight ugly seas. But is gyroscopic stabilization for you? External fins basically do the same thing, so why would you choose a gyro?
Here are a few reasons why you’d choose a gyroscopic stabilizer:
You generally prioritize stability at rest over stability underway (fins are better at speed)
You don’t want to add external componentry to your boat’s hull, which can get damaged and requires out-of-water maintenance
Your boat does not have space (or the proper hull shape) for fin installation
You have ample space in your engine room and/or technical area
What are the differences between air-cooled and water-cooled gyros?
Water-cooled (i.e. Seakeeper)
Uses raw sea water to cool the flywheel
Sea water is brought onboard via a raw water pickup, pumped to the gyro location, and pumped off-board via a thru hull
More energy efficient
Fail-points of water-cooled system: clogged pickup, clogged strainer, broken pump impeller, restricted flow from calcified pipes, etc.
Air-cooled (i.e. Quick)
Uses air circulation to cool the flywheel
Cool external air is fanned through the installation location and hot air is pushed out via an exhaust fan
All cooling components are held within the gyro’s shell
Fail-points of air-cooled system: installation location lacks proper ventilation, fan failure, clogged filter, etc.
Why choose my gyro based on its cooling system?
Your gyro works because of a fast-spinning wheel, which can get pretty hot. We need a cooling system we can count on; an overheat will cause a system failure, and no one wants to rock and roll after spending a small fortune on stabilization.
Seakeeper Gyro (spins horizontal)
Why choose a water-cooled gyroscopic stabilizer:
You have a limited power supply (water-cooled systems draw less power)
Your installation location cannot ventilate (water-cooled systems require no ventilation)
Your installation area already runs hot
Limited in vertical space? Seakeeper, the leading water-cooled gyro, is horizontally oriented due to its horizontal spin direction. If your installation location lacks vertical space, Seakeeper might be your best option.
Quick gyro (spins vertical)
Why choose an air-cooled gyroscopic stabilizer:
Can be installed with your boat in the water (does not require thruhulls)
The air-cooled gyro is self-contained, requiring no installation of auxiliary pumps or plumbing
Your installation location already has good ventilation
Less annual maintenance due to the lack of auxiliary systems
Limited in horizontal space? Quick, the leading air-cooled gyro, is vertically oriented due to its vertical spin direction. If your installation location lacks horizontal space, Quick might be your best option.
So, which will it be? Are you cooling your gyro with water or air?
As the premier gadget on any cruising yacht, a gyroscopic stabilizer should be an element of your next purchase decision. Whether you’re building new or buying used, knowing what type of gyro you prefer will prevent costly mistakes, and more importantly, leave you with a dependable system built to serve your specific cruising needs and helping boost your boat’s resale value.
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About the Author
Reed Nicol is a licensed yacht broker with experience in all corners of the marine industry. He’s worked as an executive and sales director in yacht manufacturing and distribution, has structured commercial charter operations, and designed and executed notable refits. Read more about Reed’s marine journey, his love of helping 1st time boaters and his entrepreneurial spirit here.
Reed Nicol [Licensed FL Yacht Broker #11926]
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