Zipwake PRO vs Seakeeper Ride

If you are shopping for active ride control to tame pitch and roll, two names rise to the top: Zipwake PRO and Seakeeper Ride. Both automate trim and deliver a noticeably smoother, safer ride. But they are built on different ideas, aimed at different boats, and scale in very different ways. If you run anything from a fast center console to a heavier 50 to 100 ft cruiser, Zipwake PRO is the more versatile, upgradeable choice.

The quick take

• Boat size coverage:
  • Seakeeper Ride targets roughly 19 to about 55 ft boats. Zipwake PRO covers everything from sub-30 ft rigs up to about 100 ft with Series S PRO and Series E PRO. If you are 30 to 100 ft or plan to move up, Zipwake PRO fits more hulls and growth paths.
• Hardware concept:
  • Seakeeper Ride uses two transom controllers with ultra-fast rotary blades. Zipwake PRO uses slim interceptors in multiple shapes and sizes that can be mixed across the transom and even near tunnels or chines for precise lift where the hull needs it.
• Speed and control:
  • Ride blades can make rapid adjustments while underway. Zipwake PRO’s new servo units are extremely quick too, driving 30 mm or 60 mm stroke in about 0.3 s, and the DU PRO boosts to 36 V for strong response. Both are fast, but Zipwake PRO pairs that speed with more installation flexibility.
• Upgrade path:
  • Already have Zipwake? The PRO upgrade is simple: swap servo units and distribution unit, keep most cabling and interceptors.
• Use cases:
  • For small to mid-size outboard boats where the transom can accept two blade controllers, Ride is compelling. For a wider span of hulls, heavy or asymmetrical layouts, or boats above ~30 ft that may grow systems later, Zipwake PRO is the safer long-term bet.

How they work

Seakeeper Ride mounts two rotary-blade controllers on the transom. The blades tip down into the flow to generate rapid corrective forces while underway.

Zipwake PRO uses slim, fast-acting interceptors along the transom. You choose straight, chine, tunnel, V-shape and other profiles, mixing sizes and positions to match your hull’s hydrodynamics. The new SU PRO servo units drive the blades to full stroke in about 0.3 s and the DU PRO distribution unit supplies 36 V to the servos for crisp response.

Boat size and scaling

• Seakeeper Ride: Models fit boats from roughly the high teens into the 40s and up toward the mid-50s, sized by transom width and weight.
• Zipwake PRO:
  • Series S PRO for compact installations up to ~50 ft with 30 mm stroke.
  • Series E PRO for larger boats up to ~100 ft with 60 mm stroke and heavier-duty hardware.

Why it matters: If you are above ~30 ft now or plan to step up later, Zipwake PRO’s range makes long-term standardization simpler across a mixed fleet.

Installation flexibility

• Ride concentrates force through two transom controllers. Clean and simple for many outboard boats, but fewer placement variables.
• Zipwake PRO lets you distribute lift by mixing multiple interceptor shapes across the transom or near tunnels. That is powerful for hulls with prop tunnels, wide chines, brackets or step geometry that benefit from granular control.

Speed, automation and integrations

• Ride: high actuation rate and automatic control of pitch, roll and yaw while underway.
• Zipwake PRO: five-times-faster servos versus earlier Zipwake, 0 to full stroke in about 0.3 s, plus auto and manual modes. Many boats see best results when interceptors are tuned per hull with multiple units.

Zipwake systems are used on planing and semi-planing boats up to high speeds, covering applications from fast center consoles to heavier cruisers.

Durability and serviceability

Zipwake PRO’s SU PRO adds double shaft seals, a precision-ground stainless shaft and IP68 ingress protection, built for harsh duty and quick swap in the field. The DU PRO consolidates power with an integrated boost stage for stable servo performance.

Pricing and value

Seakeeper Ride pricing is tied to model size and boat length. Zipwake pricing varies by interceptor mix and control kit, but the ability to right-size multiple interceptors and keep that hardware when upgrading to PRO protects your investment.

Side-by-side comparison

So which should you choose?

If your boat is in the 19 to low 30 ft bracket and you want a tidy two-controller package, Seakeeper Ride is a strong performer. If you need wider boat-size coverage, more placement options, or an upgrade path that protects existing hardware, Zipwake PRO is the smarter long-term choice. It scales from compact Series S PRO to heavy-duty Series E PRO, adds ultra-fast servos and a boosted distribution unit, and adapts to tricky hull features with specialized interceptor shapes.

Frequently asked questions

Does Zipwake PRO work on boats with tunnels or prominent chines?
Yes. Zipwake offers tunnel and chine interceptors specifically for those geometries, letting you place lift precisely where the hull benefits most.

How fast are Zipwake PRO interceptors compared with earlier Zipwake units?
Zipwake PRO servos drive full stroke in about 0.3 s and are roughly five times faster than previous Zipwake generations, improving responsiveness in short-period chop.

What is the power architecture for Zipwake PRO?
The DU PRO distribution unit boosts to 36 V to supply the new servo units, which are compact and efficient with IP68 sealing and double shaft seals.

What does Seakeeper Ride claim on motion reduction?
Seakeeper markets significant reduction in pitch and roll underway for specific models and boat sizes. Real results vary by hull.

Need help sizing a system?

We size Zipwake PRO systems every day. Tell us your LOA, beam, deadrise, displacement, engine configuration and typical cruise speed, and we will spec a Series S PRO or Series E PRO kit with the right mix of interceptors, cabling and control. If you already have a Zipwake system, we can map the PRO Upgrade Kit to re-use your interceptors and cabling while adding DU PRO and SU PRO for a same-day performance jump.