REVIEWED: ARG-250T Anti Roll Gyro
We test the ARG-250T Anti Roll Gyro on board the Maritimo S600 Offshore
I've spent a lot of time on vessels with and without gyros and I can honestly say it would be the first option I would tick on a new build. Not only do they make boating more comfortable but they also add safety with increased surefootedness but they do come at a cost.
The price for an ARG-250T, like we are looking at in this review, is about A$160,000, I say about as the price you’ll pay is exchange rate dependent and does not include shipping or taxes.
The gyro we looked at inside the impressive Maritimo S600 Offshore was incorporated into the build from new. Companies like Maritimo and Riviera are seeing the benefit of incorporating provisions for gyros from new so the price to install it while in-build is lower than retrofitting.
ARG suggested retrofitting a gyro like the 250T will set you back about $12,000-$15,000 depending on the level of work required to strengthen your stringers and bearers and what electrical work might be needed. For a smaller, 12V model, expect that to be a lot less.
The range runs from a compact 12V unit with 5000Nm of anti-roll force to the flagship ARG-375 which has over 37,000Nm of force and is suitable for vessels up to 60 tons.
How they create their anti-rock and roll force is creatively simple but sophisticated in design and engineering. ARG gyros use large and heavy flywheels which are spun up to 4500 rpm. The inertia the flywheel creates is rated in newton metres and ranges from 5000Nm to 37,500Nm. This force is held in place by a simple hydraulic circuit and a set of air-cooled bearings and while the flywheel is spinning, it counteracts pitch a lot like how a spinning top stays upright when spinning fast.
Being air-cooled and spinning the flywheel at up to only 4500rpm are unique and fantastic features of the ARG range. Without the need for liquid cooling, the compact units require much less maintenance and servicing.
For more information, see ARG Australia