practicality of sombrero stabilizers

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jtm

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Jun 14, 2004
312
Hunter 28.5 Dataw Island, SC
I see these orange plastic "sombrero" shaped stabilizers at WM and wonder as to their practicality on a a 28ft sailboat. I realize they are really designed as dampers for motorboats. I've also seen the steel "rock& roll" rectagular stabilzers at WM for 30' + boats but they are like, 200+ yikes

In a storm I get rocking wind in my slip. I use "H" shaped fender boards to keep the boat off the tight slip posts -especially as the lines get slacker &"effectively" longer when the tide rises in a storm.

So my question is- Has anyone tried using these stabilizers hanging over the toe rail on a windward side to damper the rocking - I thought that perhaps 2 lines of these dangling over the rails might reduce the healing and minimize my leeward rails from touching/chewing the leeward post.

Thanks for any input.
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,360
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Before buying one, you might try what I used a few times while on a mooring which seemed to me to work effectively - that being a 5 gallon bucket suitably secured with a rope to the toe rail after drilling some medium sized holes in the bottom to allow some restricted flow through the bucket. Maybe not the most ellegant solution but it does dampen the rolling.
 

jtm

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Jun 14, 2004
312
Hunter 28.5 Dataw Island, SC
stabilizer

Thanks- that's a great idea and cheap - especially being that I just finished sealing my driveway and have the 2 cans!

I should probably hang them so that the hanging/swinging liine doesn't chafe the freeboard. One located forward is easier given the taper of the hull but maybe the second located well aft.

Thanks
 
Oct 29, 2005
2,362
Hunter Marine 326 303 Singapore
Re: stabilizer

this thing works better when hung from beam of boat (widest part for obvious reason) and better still if hung from out-stretch boom.
 
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