Calm by Design: Smartgyro SG20 Sea Trial

Because the unit is a modular design it can be serviced, maintained and assembled directly inside the boat which is a huge plus. The sealed vacuum flywheel enclosure minimises air drag to increase performance and reduce heat and power consumption while the liquid cooling system also dissipates heat.

The real brains of the stabiliser is the Inertial Measuring Unit which senses even tiny changes in roll, pitch and yaw, correcting the boat’s movement in real time automatically with no crew intervention needed. All of this is good news for passengers, the boat feels more composed even in choppy or beam-on seas which should help with seasickness and roving around is safer too. At anchor the gyro keeps the hull from wallowing in gentle swell making for a more peaceful night. However, as with any serious gyro, the SG20 does require a few minutes to reach full operating speed and draws a noticeable amount of power at anchor, a practical consideration for owners planning longer off-grid stays.

We took the seriously impressive Sanlorenzo Bluegame BG54 out of Genoa harbour to see, or rather feel, the stabiliser at work. Even though we tested in relatively light seas, the gyro’s sensor system more than proved its worth as Smartgyro had arranged for Bluegame’s flagship BG74 to circle round us, creating a very messy wake and lots of movement. The IMU’s reaction to the wake both side-on and square on the transom was immediate and the compensation felt as natural as smoothing out a feather duvet, thanks to the spinning flywheel applying precise counter torque to keep the boat level. In fact, during pre-launch sea trials, the Smartgyro tech team reported an outstanding 89% roll reduction. Putting the BG54’s high-performance hull into tight turns posed no challenge for the SG20 either which automatically locks counteracting forces for smoother sailing.

Tempting though it was to stay on deck and enjoy the extreme elegance of the stylish BG54, we ventured below to check on noise and vibration in the cabins. Bluegame had specifically requested quiet performance from the SG20 and the light and airy cabins were indeed serene with no discernible vibration.

The Smartgyro SG20 transforms the experience on board the Bluegame BG54, bringing big-boat stability to the 50-foot class. In calm seas it’s almost invisible, but the moment a passing wake or cross-chop arrives, you feel the difference, or rather, you don’t. The effect is seamless, lifting onboard comfort to a level you simply don’t expect in this size of yacht. It’s quiet, compact and cleverly designed for onboard servicing which makes it as practical as it is refined.

The only real caveat is brand maturity: while the SG20 performs like a seasoned contender, Smartgyro doesn’t yet have the long-term fleet data or global service density of the biggest players. This might prove a challenge for owners cruising in more remote areas and to date there is no UK mainland distributor. Even so, with its expanding footprint and impressive performance, Smartgyro is fast becoming a serious challenger to the current market leaders.