Fixed trim tabs on jon boat?

I did a search on "fixed trim tabs" and none returned for fixed, so here goes.

I saw a new jon boat, about 18', at a show that had a piece of aluminum angle
welded on each bottom side of the transom. Each piece was about 1.5" angle
and maybe a foot long. The salesman told me they would have the same effect
as trim tabs by assisting to raise the back of the boat, and stabilization.

I believe it, and am thinking about adding them to my 18' jon boat. I am
wondering if anybody has already done something similar? I have some
aluminum welding rods, another show item, that weld at low temps, and am
thinking about using them to weld on the aluminum angles.
Anybody already done this?

Re: Fixed trim tabs on jon boat?

Do you need them, or just want them?

Typically a transom is not at 90* to the hull, but the angle stock is at 90*, so it may not be at the correct angle to do any good.

Re: Fixed trim tabs on jon boat?

You can do that I suppose but getting it right is gonna be kinda hard, too much angle and you get to much lift, not enough and they don't do anything and you are going to have to use some pretty thick aluminum so bendindg it by hand will be hard.

As a welder I can tell you your rod may be low temp buy your hull isn't, what you have is probably for filling small hole but not for bonding, if you have never welded I would really reccomend you don't start on your boat, especially below the water line where you will need to be.

If you are gonna do this I would bolt them on, even me and I have a weld shop, that is much more reversible and woudl make the easier to tune and replace if damaged.

You could just buy tabs and be done with it too, way less thinking.

Re: Fixed trim tabs on jon boat?

5150abf said:

You can do that I suppose but getting it right is gonna be kinda hard, too much angle and you get to much lift, not enough and they don't do anything and you are going to have to use some pretty thick aluminum so bendindg it by hand will be hard.

As a welder I can tell you your rod may be low temp buy your hull isn't, what you have is probably for filling small hole but not for bonding, if you have never welded I would really reccomend you don't start on your boat, especially below the water line where you will need to be.

If you are gonna do this I would bolt them on, even me and I have a weld shop, that is much more reversible and woudl make the easier to tune and replace if damaged.

You could just buy tabs and be done with it too, way less thinking.

Click to expand...

+1.

Re: Fixed trim tabs on jon boat?

Well, I decided to take your good advice, and I ordered some smart tabs from
iboats. It happens they have a good deal going on them.

It'll be at least some weeks before I get them on and try them out, and I'm
sure it will be interesting.

Happy boating!