Thanks to multiple Riviera owner Greg Sills for sharing with us his thoughts and experience on the purchase, install and performance of a Seakeeper 9 retrofitted into his Riviera 57 Flybridge Motor Yacht “Strikezone”.

WHERE DO YOU DO MOST OF YOUR BOATING?

Our boat is based at Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays so we mainly go boating all around the Whitsundays but we’re currently based in Port Douglas. We spend a lot of time fishing either bottom bashing or trolling for pelagics, whilst enjoying a lot of the stunning boating locations of Far North Queensland.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO RETROFIT A SEAKEEPER INTO YOUR BOAT?

Most flybridge boats can roll and rock a bit and with our grandkids spending plenty of time on board with us we wanted to ensure they were safe and secure even if it was a bit rollie. My wife and I also wanted it for when we’re at anchor at night as it basically reduces all of the roll and makes our whole boating experience so enjoyable. We didn’t really look around at the options available as we’d seen the Seakeepers at Sanctuary Cove Boat Show previously and some friends had told us about their experiences with them so it was a no brainer.

WHAT WAS THE INSTALL PROCESS LIKE?

It was a fairly straight forward process as our boat already had the bed for the Seakeeper positioned in the lazarette. We did have to pull up the teak deck and then re-lay but that was all pretty easy and we actually haven’t lost much storage space in the lazarette either so that’s a bonus. The unit was installed in Mackay, which was all arranged by Seakeeper/Twin Disc and their local service agent.

HOW HAS THE AFTER-SALES SERVICE EXPERIENCE BEEN?

Again all very straight forward. Even though our boat is based in North Queensland, Chris from Port Douglas Marine has serviced the unit for us, so it’s comforting to know that quality service agents are available in most locations.

WHAT ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SEAKEEPER, HAS IT PERFORMED TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS?

We’re very happy, it’s done and doing all we want it to do, especially keeping the grandkids safe and steady onboard. I was quite surprised by the difference it makes when trolling, there’s just no roll when we’re side on to the swell so that’s a big time bonus I wasn’t expecting. Service and support is great too, no complaints.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ANYONE CONSIDERING INSTALLING OR RETROFITTING A SEAKEEPER?

Put it in from new. But the retrofit process is no hassle either.

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