The interceptor is the new frontier of the stable sailing boat. Take the case of Zipwake, among the most popular interceptors around. It is a system that is installed at the stern of the boat, with a panel and blades that maintain trim automatically, thanks to software. Its low weight, low maintenance requirements combined with a more than affordable price make it a decidedly attractive product.
Interceptor Zipwake
What boats can you put it on? Interceptors can go on virtually any type of planing boat. Zipwake has two lines: the S series for boats under 50 feet, about 15 meters, and the E series for boats over 50 feet. They are generally recommended for boats 6 meters and up.
What is it for? To keep our hull buoyant at all times, even when, especially on small boats, people are not arranged symmetrically or the load is “misplaced.” They also help the boat enter the glide sooner, reducing fuel consumption
The advantages over flapping
Classic trim tabs, such as can be flaps(full details on their operation here) are automatic or manual and come as electric or hydraulic. The system by which they are designed requires more frequent maintenance than interceptors. In fact, these are equipped with a self-cleaning system, unlike flaps, which prevents blockages.
The characteristics of Zipwake interceptors
- When the boat is underway they reduce uncomfortable and dangerous boat pitching and rolling.
- They reduce consumption
- They are automatic as standard, but an interface is also available to adjust them manually
- The system can be monitored and/or controlled by external devices such as multifunction displays or plotters via its NMEA 2000 interface.
The price
Let’s touch on one of the points that surely interest us boaters the most: price. For a complete Zipwake kit (blades, panel and software) the starting price of the
- S series (boats between 6 and 15 meters) starts at €1,900
- E series (boats over 15 meters) starts at €5,700
www.zipwake.com – www.saim-group.com
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