Gyro Refit Allows Spencer 60 to Fish Longer and Harder

Published: Monday, April 22, 2013 7:00 am
By: Seakeeper

clientuploads/news/April 2012 copy 1/Refit_1.jpg Landing big game fish often demands perseverance through rough waters in remote locations, for days on end. The crew of the 60' Spencer Carol Libby now has an advantage as they troll for giant bluefin tuna and other trophy fish. A Seakeeper gyro stabilizer creates a safe, stable platform that reduces fatigue, enabling the crew to focus on the catch.

The gyro was installed by American Custom Yachts (ACY) of Stuart, Florida, as part of an extensive refit. It's the first Seakeeper installation on a Spencer, and the first Seakeeper gyro refit for ACY. Carol Libby is a 2013 model powered by twin 1,150 hp Caterpillar C18s, with ZF gears and a 1,500 gallon fuel capacity. Refit work included rebuilding the tower, plus adding a bow bait tank, tuna tubes and a bow pulpit. She also gained new electronics, underwater lights, abundant rod holders and tackle storage.

In pursuit of IGFA world records on fly and light tackle in the Eastern Pacific between Mexico and Panama, Capt Josh Temple and his crew typically take Carol Libby out for 6-10 days at a time. "We're all about staying on the bite; that means going to where the fish are, and being prepared to stay with them until we're forced to return to refuel. We plan to fish over 250 days annually—that's about as hardcore as it gets. We refit Carol Libby and installed our Seakeeper to help achieve that goal," he said.

The gyro makes Carol Libby safer to operate in challenging sea conditions, simplifying the crew's daily tasks and mitigating discomfort. It reduces resonant boat roll by up to 95%, whether the vessel is underway, trolling, or at zero speed. "We rely on the Seakeeper 24/7. The difference it makes while trolling, live baiting and drifting needs to be experienced to be believed. Typically we drift at night on the fishing grounds, and we almost always had to put out the sea anchor to make it comfortable to sleep. With the Seakeeper, we haven't deployed the sea anchor once.

"After just over a month running the boat since our refit, I will never build or refit a boat without a Seakeeper gyro. The owners have an extensive fishing background, and our crew is made up of seasoned professionals from around the world. We're now so spoiled that we complain when we have to put the gyro in standby to perform routine boat maintenance at sea. If you're not constantly fighting the motion of the vessel, it's amazing how much easier everything is," he said.

Kenny Miller, ACY's marine electrical manager, reports growing interest in gyro systems. "In the past, most sport fishing boats were not designed to allow for any stabilization. As more owners and captains experience the difference stabilizers make, they want them in new builds and retrofits."

Capt. Temple was pleasantly surprised by ACY's work. "I usually cringe when it's time to take Carol Libby into the yard. The crew at ACY changed my view; everyone took a personal interest in the quality and craftsmanship that went into our refit. Seakeeper was also there every step of the way; they genuinely care about their product and customers." Miller added, "The Seakeeper team helped in all aspects, providing prompt answers to every question. Their support aided us in making it a smooth installation." ACY's spectrum of marine services include refits and custom yacht design and construction, at www.americancustomyachts.com.