AlI stabilizer systems attempt to ANTICIPATE THE ROLL with the gyro and counteract it immediately before it gets a good start. Air has the advantage of a quicker response by comparision to the hydraulic system, due to the low viscosity of air.The quicker the fins respond to the gyro signal the more effective the stabilization. The fastest possible response means the amount of correction will be less, there will be less strain on the equipment and hull, less power consumed (fuel consumption) to drive the system and less drag on the forward motion of the vessel (less fuel consumption).

The better the overall stabilization the better the tracking on course, less energy is lost making the course good, less fuel is consumed.

In addition the air powered system has the advantage of being able to automatically adjust to the vessel's speed . Only G G Systems offer full stabilization from approximately 4 knots to full speed.

AII hydraulic powered stabilizers inherently must have their fins sized to one speed, being less effective at lower speeds and over correcting at higher speeds. Over-correcting can be dangerous arid put huge strains on the hull forcing the operator to slow down.

Technically, the difference is that fluids cannot be compressed as can air. The hydraulic driven fin moves to a given position no matter what the vessel's speed and is locked firm in that position. The air powered fin is affected by the vessel's speed (load on the fin) and as the vessel speed increases the air in the drive cylinders is compressed by the additional hydrodynamic load . . . the result being the fin angle is reduced as the speed goes up. In addition air powered systems offer an air cushioning effect (shock absorber like) through compressibility of air while stabilizing the vessel.

The air system operates at 120 PSI as compared to 1200 PSI in hydraulic systems. Therefore, components of the air powered systems are less likely to fail and will have a longer service life. In addition, if a line or hose fails all that escapes is dry clean air as compared to high pressure flammable oil. Air never requires a refill and there is less routine maintenance.