A method for damping of the rolling motion of a water vehicle, in particular roll stabilization of a ship with at least one propeller, comprising a rotating wheel body, which bears axis parallel blades on the outer circumference, the blades being pivoted around their longitudinal axis. The rolling motion of the water vehicle by modification of the pitch a thrust is generated which counteracts the rolling motion. The modification of the pitch for generation of a counterthrust takes place optionally in the recording of a quantity characterizing the rolling motion of the ship or a signal for activation of the roll stabilization in dependency on a default value of the current transverse pitch set on the blades.