Boat, Knowledge, and Tool Requirements
Seakeeper Ride Boat, Knowledge, and Tools Requirements
Updated 12/20/24
The most important consideration before installing Seakeeper Ride is ensuring that the boat is compatible with a currently available Seakeeper Ride system. If the boat does not meet all of the requirements listed below, do not purchase or begin installing Seakeeper Ride. Instead, see the FAQ’s page and contact Seakeeper if you have additional questions regarding boat compatibility. Please keep in mind that Seakeeper is constantly expanding the applicability of Seakeeper Ride and will likely serve your hull type in the future. Sign up here for updates.
The installer of the Seakeeper Ride system must also have the necessary knowledge and tools before beginning. Refer to the following boat, knowledge, and tool requirements for a successful installation.
Boat Requirements
Hull Requirements:
- Flat Transom with Compatible Hull Shape*
- Physical Space on the Transom for Seakeeper Ride Controllers (See figure and table below)
- Hull Length Between 19-42 ft (See table below for correctly sizing the system)
- Planing Hull
- Stepped or Non-Stepped Hull
- Monohull
- Cruise Speed Greater than 20 mph
- Fiberglass or Aluminum Construction
Electrical Requirements:
- Seakeeper Compatible Multifunction Display (MFD)
- GPS with NMEA 2000 Network Backbone
- 12 Volt DC Power Supply
- Battery Isolation Switch
- Key Switch
*See Section 5 – Identify Installation Location of the Mechanical Installation Manual for more information and figures on how Seakeeper Ride must be mounted and if it is compatible with a boat’s hull shape.
Seakeeper Ride Physical Size
450, 525, and 600 mm
The width, W, of the Controller is dependent on the Controller size.
| Boat Length (ft) | 19-26 | 27-30 | 31-36 |
| Seakeeper Ride | 450 | 525 | 600 |
| Part Number | 90685 | 90686 | 90687 |
| Width (mm) | 450 | 525 | 600 |
| Width (in.) | 19.0 | 22.0 | 24.9 |
750 mm Dual and Quad
| Boat Length (ft) | 37-42 | 37-42 |
| Seakeeper Ride | 750 Dual | 750 Quad |
| Part Number | 90900 | 90882 |
| Width (mm) | 750 | 375 |
| Width (in.) | 30.1 | 15.4 |
ATTENTION: Seakeeper Ride systems can be upsized on the vessel as long as there is mounting room. Seakeeper Ride systems can NOT be downsized. Example: if the vessel is 35 ft, it can NOT have a Seakeeper Ride 525 or 450.
Refer to the Controller Footprint and Envelope section for higher detail dimensions.
Knowledge & Skills
- Grinding, sanding, and drilling gel coat and fiberglass
- Application of two-part adhesives
- Marine electronics wiring
- Ability to inspect boat structure for strength, fitment, and potential obstructions
Tools
- Approved Two-Part High Strength Adhesive (See list below)
- Two-Part Adhesive Dispense Gun
- Two-Part Adhesive Mixing Nozzles
- Marine Adhesive Sealant (3M 5200 or similar)
- Torque Wrench
- Digital Protractor
- Drill
- Drill Bits (3/32, 1/8, 9/64, 1/4, & 7/8 in. required)
- Phillips Head Screwdriver
- DA Sander
- Oscillating Tool or Hacksaw
- Hex Head Sockets (2.5, 4, 5 & 6 mm required)
- Hex Wrenches (Allen Keys) (2.5, 5 & 6 mm required)
- Torx Bit Socket (T30 required)
- Adjustable Wrench
- Squeegee, Putty Knife, or Tongue Depressor
- 6-12 in. Straight Edge
- 3 ft Straight Edge
- Masking Tape
- 60 Grit Sandpaper
- *Threadlocker (included)
- Acetone or Denatured Alcohol (Denatured Alcohol required for Seakeeper Ride 750)
- Clean Gloves (recommended)
- Paper Towels
- Marker, Pen, or Pencil
- Crimpers
- Wire Strippers
- Terminals for Cable-to-Battery Connection
- Work Light or Flashlight
- Fish Tape or Electricians Snake
- Circuit Breaker or Fuse
- 25 Amp Circuit Breaker or Fuse (Dual Controller Systems including Ride 450, 525, 600 and 750)
- or 30 Amp Circuit Breaker or Fuse (Quad Controller Systems including Ride 750 Quad)
- Heat Gun
- 8-Gauge Grounding Wire
- Adhesive-Lined Heat Shrink
- 12-Gauge Power Wire Copper Tinned (optional)
*For Seakeeper Ride 450, 525, and 600, Vibra-Tite 132 threadlocker will be included in the package. If an alternate threadlocker is used, a threadlocker activator/primer will likely be required for the threadlocker to cure properly with the stainless steel hardware. For Seakeeper Ride 750 and 750 Quad, Vibra-Tite VC-3 threadlocker will be included pre-applied to hardware in the package.
Two-Part High Strength Adhesives
Approved adhesives and working times:
- Methyl Methacrylate Adhesives (MMAs)
- Plexus MA590 (90 minute)
- SciGrip SG300-40 (40 minute)
- Partite 7425 (25 minute)
- Crestabond M1- 60HV/2 (60 minute)
- Adhesivetech AT330 (18-32 minute)
- Acralock SA10-40 (40-50 minute)
- Araldite 2015-1 (45 minute)
- Epoxies (For epoxies, Section 8.6 – Removing Gel Coat must be followed)
- West Systems Six10 (42 minute)
- Pettit Flexpoxy (25 minute)
Adhesive, dispense guns, and solvent wipes can be purchased from the Seakeeper Partner center or your local and online retailers.
Quantity:
| Controller Size | Minimum Adhesive Quantity (per boat) | Minimum Adhesive Quanity (per Controller) |
| 450 mm | 900 ml | 450 ml |
| 525 mm | 1050 ml | 525 ml |
| 600 mm | 1200 ml | 600 ml |
| 750 mm Quad | 1500 ml | 750 ml |
| 750 mm Dual | 1500 ml | 375 ml |
Approved two-part adhesives come in multiple mixing ratios – 1:1, 2:1, or 10:1. Use the correct dispense gun and mixing nozzles for the adhesive type. Failure to do so will result in poor adhesion and will void the systems warranty.
WARNING: Check the approved two-part adhesive being used to verify it is compatible with the hull material (epoxy resin fiberglass, polyester resin fiberglass, gel coat, etc). Some adhesives require a primer when used with certain materials. Plexus primer must be used if performing an aluminum installation with Plexus MMA.