Boat owners know that being out on their boat is one of the best pastimes known. However, the good times can be marred by the challenges posed by natural elements. The biggest enemies of comfortable boating are chop and uneven water surface in all its forms, crosswinds, and trailing swell.
Maintaining a smooth ride puts pressure on the driver, plus an unpleasant ride at the end of a long day can be a terrible experience for passengers.
Enter the Humphree Lightning automatic trim and stabilisation system - a revolutionary technology package designed to enhance the boating experience by ensuring maximum comfort and stability.
This advanced technology addresses several critical aspects of boating discomfort, including counteracting crosswinds and uneven loads, counteracting the motions that cause passengers' sea sickness, and smoothing out choppy seas.
A familiar issue boaters face is the impact of crosswinds and uneven loads. Crosswinds can cause a boat to list (lean), making steering difficult and creating an uncomfortable tilt for those aboard.
Uneven loads, whether due to cargo distribution or passenger seating, can exacerbate this issue, leading to an imbalanced ride.
The Humphree Lightning system employs state-of-the-art technology to automatically adjust the boat's list, counteracting these imbalances. Equipped with fast-acting interceptors, the system constantly monitors the boat's position and makes real-time adjustments to ensure a level ride.
By doing so, it reduces the drag caused by listing and improves fuel efficiency, making for a smoother and more economical journey.
Imagine being on a fishing trip where the coolers are loaded on one side of the boat. This imbalance can cause the boat to list to one side, making it uncomfortable and difficult to manage.
The Humphree Lightning system automatically adjusts the trim, keeping the boat level and allowing you to focus on an enjoyable journey to your favoured fishing spot rather than constantly fighting the boat’s balance.
These automatic adjustments are particularly beneficial when navigating through strong crosswinds. The Humphree Lightning system senses list and compensates accordingly, maintaining the boat’s stability and making it easier for the driver to control.
This level of precision ensures that the experience remains enjoyable and stress-free, even in challenging conditions.
Sea sickness is a common concern for many passengers, turning what should be an enjoyable outing into an uncomfortable ordeal. The primary cause of sea sickness is the repeated rise and fall motion of the boat, which can lead to nausea and dizziness as the body struggles to adapt to the constant movement.
It’s often made worse in a trailing swell, which adds a repeated rolling motion.
The Humphree Lightning system significantly mitigates the cause of sea sickness by providing a more stable and consistent ride. Its automatic trim and stabilisation capabilities reduce the rolling and pitching motions that are often the culprits behind sea sickness.
By smoothing out these movements, the system helps passengers maintain their equilibrium and reduces the likelihood of nausea.
Consider a pleasure cruise with family and friends. The last thing you want is your guests to feel unwell due to the boat’s motion. The Humphree Lightning system ensures a smoother ride, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy the scenery without worrying about sea sickness.
This makes for a more pleasant journey and encourages more people to enjoy boating without the fear of feeling unwell.
Navigating through choppy seas is another common challenge for boaters. The constant up-and-down motion can be jarring and uncomfortable, making it difficult for passengers to relax and enjoy the ride.
Additionally, it can strain the boat's structure and the driver’s ability to maintain control.
The Humphree Lightning system excels in smoothing out these rough conditions. Its interceptors work dynamically to adjust the trim and stabilise the boat, absorbing the impact of the waves and reducing the vertical motion.
This results in a noticeably smoother ride, even in rougher waters.
Choppy seas can be a significant deterrence to the thousands of keen anglers in Australia heading out to deeper waters. The Humphree Lightning system ensures that even in less-than-ideal conditions, the boat remains stable, and the ride is comfortable.
This stability makes the journey more enjoyable so you can focus on fishing.
Diagram 1. List is the boat’s heel or how level the boat sits from beam to beam.
Diagram 2. Trim controls the boat’s pitch – the relative height of the bow or the level of the boat from bow to stern.
By maintaining a more consistent level, the system also helps to protect the boat from undue stress and wear. Reduced motion means less impact on the hull and other structural components, extending the boat's lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.
For the driver, this stability translates into easier handling and more precise control, allowing for safer and more enjoyable navigation.
Here at Ultimate Marine Power (the Humphree system’s Australian distributor), we’ve received constantly excellent feedback about Humphree automatic trim and stabilisation systems for over a decade.
Boat owners, builders and boatyards are consistently staggered by the level at which even the best hull designs are transformed - everything from getting up onto the plane to smoother cruising to counteracting the effects of uneven seas. Reliability, too, is a strong suit that not all brands can claim.
One thing’s for sure: if you want to improve the comfort of the boating experience for yourself and your passengers, Humphree Lightning is the answer for 20-45 foot boats.
The Humphree Lightning automatic trim and stabilisation system is a game-changer for boating enthusiasts. By counteracting crosswinds and uneven loads, minimising sea sickness, and smoothing out choppy seas, the boating experience transforms into unparalleled comfort and ease.
Whether you are a seasoned sailor or a casual boater, this innovative technology ensures that every journey is smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free.
Investing in the Humphree Lightning system is not just about enhancing comfort; it is about ensuring safety, improving fuel efficiency, and protecting your boat from unnecessary wear and tear.
With this advanced system on board, you can look forward to many more enjoyable days on the water, making every voyage a memorable adventure.
Or discover our reseller program.
Read on to see how Humphree Lightning was retrofitted to a Riviera 33 and a Boston Whaler 305 Conquest, by Shotgun Marine Services in Port Macquarie, NSW.