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This week’s Lower Chesapeake Bay episode is a break from the usual bite-by-bite report and a deep dive into boat-control technology that can make a big difference in real Chesapeake conditions. Host Luke Barton sits down with certified installer Brandon Overall of One Ten Marine and Justin Trapani, Seakeeper’s aftermarket refit specialist, to explain what the Seakeeper Ride system actually does, who it’s for, and what the install looks like on real boats.
Instead of chasing a “hot” pattern, the conversation focuses on the problems anglers and families deal with every day—quartering seas, sloppy inlet rides, weight shifting on deck, bow rise, and the constant “playing the piano” with trim tabs. If you run the Bay year-round, fish tournaments, charter, or just want a safer, smoother ride for your crew, this episode is built to answer the questions most boat owners have before pulling the trigger.
Conditions Recap
Cooler temps have fish moving, and the Bay is doing what it does in winter—more frequent chop, uncomfortable headings, and the kind of mixed sea states that punish hulls on the way to and from the grounds. A big theme here is how much fatigue (and risk) comes from the ride itself: quartering seas that “punch” the bow, following seas that induce bow steer, and slow-speed inlet runs where you still need control, visibility, and stability.
Even though this episode isn’t a traditional fishing report, the take-home message for anglers is simple: if you can reduce the beating your body and crew take on the ride out, you’ll fish longer, safer, and with more confidence—especially when winter weather windows are tight.
What Seakeeper Ride Is Solving (In Plain English)
Justin explains Seakeeper Ride as an underway motion-control system designed to manage the three big offenders: pitch, roll, and yaw. The key difference compared to traditional trim tabs is speed and automation—Ride is constantly sensing and correcting the boat’s attitude so the operator can focus on throttle, steering, and navigation instead of nonstop tab inputs.
Brandon’s perspective is what most Chesapeake boat owners want to hear: he was originally skeptical, installed one for a friend, took a ride, and became “obsessed” with the results. Across common local hulls—Parker cabin boats, center consoles, Regulator-style platforms, and more—the story stays consistent: Ride can calm the boat down, keep it running true, and reduce the harsh “slap” that wears people out.
Real-World Performance Wins They Highlighted
Operator workload drops. Instead of constantly trimming, the system is doing the fine adjustments for you. This matters most in the Chesapeake’s messy headings where a boat can come off one wave in a bad attitude and get punished by the next.
Safety and comfort go up. They emphasize fewer sudden surprises when people move around, kids are on board, or someone’s up front. If you’ve ever watched the bow get sketchy in chop (or taken a fall walking to the stern), you’ll understand why “stability while underway” isn’t just a luxury feature.
Leveling and “weight shift” control. They talk through how Ride corrects list when the crew piles to one side, a fish boxes out on one corner, fuel load is uneven, or you’re running heavy on one side—issues Chesapeake anglers deal with constantly.
Slow-speed planing and visibility. One of the most compelling examples in the discussion: a larger boat planing significantly slower than before, keeping the horizon in view instead of climbing over a big bow-rise hump—useful around busy no-wake transitions, inlets, and winter conditions.
Install & Compatibility Notes (What Boat Owners Need To Know)
Certified installer matters. Brandon explains that One Ten Marine is a certified installer, and Justin describes the training/onboarding and the support pipeline behind the scenes. The practical benefit: fewer install surprises, smoother commissioning, and a clearer path to troubleshooting if you ever need help.
Transom real estate is the limiting factor. Most boats are candidates, but the transom layout and existing hardware matter. If your boat already runs trim tabs, they describe that as a good sign you’re likely a fit.
Trim tab pockets aren’t a deal-breaker. They cover two solutions: (1) Seakeeper-developed pocket fillers for certain hulls, or (2) a full fiberglass “factory look” pocket delete for owners who want a seamless finish.
MFD / network requirements. Commissioning and control depend on compatible electronics. If your existing screen is outdated or incompatible, they mention using a small dedicated display as a workaround rather than replacing an entire helm setup.
How it mounts. A major surprise for many listeners: the system is primarily bonded/glued to the transom with only minimal fasteners used during the cure process, and it’s engineered for that approach.
Cost & Warranty Snapshot (As Discussed On Air)
They keep pricing practical and “Chesapeake-real.” For many boats, the conversation lands in a range that’s comparable to other major upgrades but with a day-to-day impact you feel every trip.
Typical install ranges mentioned: boats under ~25′ around $7,500–$8,000 installed; boats up to ~30′ around $9,500; boats up to ~35′ around $13,500–$14,000 (assuming a straightforward transom).
Warranty: they reference a standard two-year parts warranty and emphasize that Seakeeper support is heavily involved in backing both installers and customers when issues arise.
Wet Slip / Growth Management
If your boat lives in the water, they recommend planning for growth management just like you would with tabs and running gear. They discuss applying appropriate coatings and being mindful about maintenance checks, plus the idea of using a system designed for underwater foul-release on certain components. The key takeaway: treat Ride like other underwater hardware—protect it properly, inspect it on a schedule, and replace sacrificial anodes as needed.
