News

Latest update in perfecting the RotorSwing installation for fast ships.

Since our successful RAKE invention (Revolutionary Adaption of Kinetic Energy), the market opened for the use of Magnus effect roll damping for faster vessels. The RAKE function starts around 12-14 knots and will increase the angles of the rotors towards the aft to around 25 knots. Beyond 25 knots, the Rotors can be fully retracted.

To minimize resistance in the fully retracted configuration even more, we came up with the pocket application as shown in the picture.

October 8th, 2019 We perform factory tests on each of our roll damping system that is being sold. Also, every system is being optimized, specifically for what type of vessel the RotorSwing is going to be installed into. We stand by our product and will make sure that you will receive a top quality roll damping system.

Besides the factory testing, we frequently go out on the ocean to perform objective measurements while fighting various wave conditions. The stabilizers don’t only work great while at sea but also when a larger wave generating professional vessel is passing by. These vessels often generate large amplitude-, and wavelength waves that can bring your boat into an intense roll. The RAKE function (rotors are being angled towards the aft) is perfect for these short but intense wave conditions. With RAKE, the drag is being minimized while still offering great roll damping.

RotorSwing Holland will be present at the Motorboat show in Sneek, Holland from the 1st to the 3rd of November. Join us during this time so we can answer any of your questions. You can also request a test ride on one of our vessels equipped with RotorSwing roll damping systems.

RotorSwing has made many improvements to its product line. There is a boost in speed up to 25 knots, while still allowing for excellent roll damping, thanks to our patented RAKE function. We now also install our rotors on yachts up to 35 meters.

There are many roll damping systems on the market but the RotorSwing stabilizers are unique. We offer roll damping while at anchor and while cruising up to 25 knots. The Rotor angle rakes (rotates towards the aft) when the yacht velocity exceeds above 10-12 knots. The result: less resistance and fuel consumption while maintaining excellent roll damping!

The improved Zero Speed version from RotorSwing Holland provides for excellent roll damping while at anchor and loitering. This roll damping system is comprised of two rotors that spin back and forth to generate lift forces through the so called “Magnus Effect”. RotorSwing Holland has improved the efficiency for the RotorSwing Multi 140 while at anchor or adrift. The rotors have increased in length with 20 percent while both hardware and software are optimized to maximize adaptivity and efficiency. The new, high bright, color display gives all the information needed during sailing. The display layout is intuitive and easy to operate.

At RotorSwing Holland, we fully assemble and test every roll damping system before shipping it to our yacht owners. Our engineers constantly strive to improve the roll damping system that is based around the Magnus effect.

Yacht stabilization is far from being a novelty, but this Roll damping system from RotorSwing Holland is superb for yacht stabilization while cruising, at full speed and while at anchor (Zero Speed).

The demand for our Zero Speed version, also called “atFullSpeed”, is increasing mainly because it now also allows for cruising speeds from 0 knots to 25 knots.

RotorSwing’s new and larger facilities offer space for assembly and testing

A nice birdseyeview of our Fairline 55’ “Lady G” moored in Guernsey at the fuel dock being prepared for sea trial demonstrations.

The RotorSwing 140 Multi installed in the vessel is one of the first systems where we were able to test the combined functionality of this unique roll damping system at various speeds. Principally the Magnus effect is mainly employed with displacement vessels, our Patented RAKE functionality however, enables the use up to 25 knots.

The easy to install, fully electric drive system combines a silent and smooth operation with optimum roll damping characteristics AtCruiseSpeed (3 to 25 knots) and AtZeroSpeed (0 to 3 knots). Our Magnus Rotor system on Lady G has achieved 85% roll reduction AtZeroSpeed and 91% roll reduction AtCruiseSpeed.

May 2019 was a successful month for RotorSwing. Besides our standard roll damping systems for motor yachts around 15 meters, we supplied our first 4 rotor ZeroSpeed system for this Italian 34 meter (112 feet) yacht. The very capable shipyard in Varazze (Italy) installed the aluminum welding bushings and RotorSwing teamed up with a crew of 4 men to do the installation. This pleasant cooperation with the ship yard resulted in a quick installation, directly followed by a sea-trial. Both the yacht owner and RotorSwing crew were astonished about the damping results and the performance of this 4 ZeroSpeed roll damping system.

The season still has to arrive, but the first experiences in the Monaco Yacht Basin were very positive. All adjustment parameters are accessible on the display which has been installed on the bridge. One of the main electronic control cabinets also has a built-in display for system operation from the engineers control room. The 4 zero speed roll damping rotors work in perfect sync with each other through our improved electronics. Currently, RotorSwing Marine is also negotiating an exiting possible deal for a 6 Rotor system!

Our 43’ fast Colvic RotorSwing test vessel has recently been used intensively to test and optimize the RotorSwing roll damping equipment. Important issues as minimizing drag and perfecting roll damping characteristics were already completed and our engineers were ready for a new challenge.

We equipped our test vessel with our latest ZeroSpeed stabilizer equipment using the newly designed and advanced underwater drive units with carbon rotors. The challenge was to perfect the damping of the roll motions at anchor or adrift on board of vessels with a short roll period and to avoid jerky motions so common for the cause of seasickness.

But… how do you test this when there are no waves to make the ship roll? And you are extremely curious after the results of your work? Just use the same engineers! With nearly 100 kg Rien used all his weight to make the ship “forced roll” with a remarkable result of 2 x 7 degrees.

After a few excitation rolls we switched the RotorSwing ZeroSpeed to ACTION. The residue roll was only 2 x 1 degrees. A remarkable result of 86 % roll reduction.

Our engineers found their tests succeeded all expectations and with roll reductions of 86 % a remarkable result in ZeroSpeed roll damping. A unique combination of body and brain exercises.

“The technology is clearly complicated and it amazes me how good it works. During the 10 days that I have used it the underway seems to function without error other than some issue with sensitivity which caused shutdown on two occasions but Phillip says it just needs some adjustment. I think this is just a programming issue and not a real problem.

The stabilizing effect is very good to excellent at all speeds from the slowest (4 knot) to the highest speed the boat will travel (19 – 20 knot). There does not seem to be any effect on the speed of the boat. Amazing how little room it has taken up in the engine compartment and how quietly it operates.

Zero speed stabilizing effect is also very good and operates quietly other than some vibration that can be felt from time to time.”

“One of the reasons we went for a RotorSwing stabilization system is the fact that we also sail a lot on inland waterways and the rotor system is much less vulnerable than a system with fins. We have one of the first RotorSwing systems and therefore kept in mind that we could face a few teething issues and some associated risks bearing seeing as our yacht is relatively large and heavy. We use the boat intensively with the whole family, sail a lot and put her to the test and that includes the rotor system.”

The Feadship Caravelle’s year-long refit included the complete stripping and rebuilding of the engine room and installation of four RotorSwing at-anchor stabilisers.

The addition of RotorSwing’s retractable and electrically driven Magnus Rotor Stabilisation system on this Feadship, this timeless beauty of the sixties is the perfect combination of classic style with next generation technology. Now equipped with high performance stability control AtZeroSpeed & AtCruiseSpeed, the new owner of this restored iconic yacht can fully enjoy her style and comfort.

The rotor stabiliser uses the Magnus Effect to generate lift, with surprising results. The technology is being pioneered for smaller craft by RotorSwing, a Dutch specialist catering for motoryachts and sportsfishers of all sizes. “Theo Koop invented the Magnus Effect stabiliser back in 1970”, says Rien van den Bergh, RotorSwing’s office manager. “But it wasn’t until about 10 years ago that the technical limitations were resolved.”

RotorSwing Holland purchased a fast GRP vessel to enable the optimization of all the parameters involved in the AtZeroSpeed equipment. Having invested heavily in CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), our goal is to compare reality with results from this highly advanced computer program. Beginning 2019, the JULIA, a Colvic 43′ planing vessel will be ready to fulfill its duty as a test vessel. The latest version of our ZeroSpeed equipment has been installed and she will be soon ready to go to sea.