In our previous update, we followed Nikki and Jason Wynn as they prepared UNDRA, their new explorer yacht, for a life of high-latitude adventure. After selecting and installing a Smartgyro SG20, the next crucial milestone was putting the system through its final commissioning before setting off on their long-awaited journey.
Joined by representatives from Smartgyro, VETUS and Maxwell, the couple headed out for a dedicated sea trial to validate the installation and confirm that the SG20 stabilizer was ready for the demands of long-range cruising and exploration.
After months of planning, installation work, and system integration, the commissioning sea trial represented one of the last major checks before UNDRA could finally leave the dock.
The trial delivered encouraging results from the outset. The Smartgyro SG20 achieved more than 85% roll reduction at resonance, while also demonstrating the energy efficiency required to support the couple’s off-grid cruising lifestyle. Equally important, the system integrated seamlessly into an already complex vessel build while retaining Smartgyro’s onboard serviceability, a valuable feature for a vessel preparing to spend extended periods in remote locations.
During testing, the team deliberately positioned the vessel beam-on to the waves and used the Smartgyro control system to assess performance across a range of conditions. Despite only limited swell being available on the day, the difference was immediately noticeable.
As Nikki and Jason experienced the change in onboard motion first-hand, the benefits of gyro stabilization quickly became clear. Reflecting on the experience, Nikki described the sensation as feeling “more stable and more civilized, like a magic carpet.”
As with any major onboard system, commissioning plays a vital role in ensuring everything is functioning as intended before a vessel begins operating independently. By the end of the trial, the team was confident that the Smartgyro installation was performing exactly as expected.
The Wynns concluded that the SG20 had “passed the final test” and expressed excitement about putting the system through its paces in rougher seas.
UNDRA is powered by a specially configured VETUS battery system consisting of three Mastervolt 4 kW inverters and twelve 12 VDC 230 Ah AGM batteries connected in series to create a 24 V system with a total capacity of almost 20 kWh. This is supported by a 7 kW generator, four 400 W solar panels, and a 150 A alternator.
This setup ensured that during the sea trial, there was no need to run the generator, as the vessel’s engine supplied power back to the batteries while underway. On sunny days, the solar array can contribute up to 1.6 kW of charging power, further supporting the Wynns’ commitment to energy-efficient cruising.
A few months later than originally planned, the couple have now departed their Dutch mooring and begun their journey through the canals and out to sea for the English Channel crossing. Their summer will be spent learning to navigate the stronger tides and currents around the UK while continuing to evaluate the SG20 both underway and at anchor.
The months ahead will provide the first real opportunity to test the stabilizer in the kind of conditions UNDRA was built for. As the couple continue their journey toward higher latitudes and more challenging waters, the SG20 will play an important role, improving onboard comfort, reducing fatigue, and supporting life at sea.
For long-range cruisers and explorer yachts, gyro stabilization is about more than comfort. It is a valuable tool that helps crews spend more time enjoying the journey and less time managing vessel motion.
Follow Gone with the Wynns on the next stage of their adventure!