Re: Amended Preliminary Smart tab report.
Boomyal;<br /><br />Thanks for the preliminary report, and regardless of how long it took you to try them we are pleased you did.<br />Here is a story from a recentConsumer call.<br />I had a conversation with a consumer and dealer a few days ago which was "A" typical of the prevailing and traditional thinking regarding trim tabs on boat under 25 feet. The consumer had just purchased the new boat and motor six months ago and has not been happy with the overall ride and handling from the very beginning. At this point he was very frustrated. In discussing the problem with his dealer, the dealer said that he had never put trim tabs on any of his boats (under 25') and felt they were totally unnecessary. "These boats get on plane just fine" were his comments. And in my frustration, I said " I bet they all float too", "so why put a motor on them just use a paddle". <br /><br />I regret the sarcasm but after seven years of listening to these comments it is difficult to continue biting my lip.<br /><br />It is sad that the vast majority of manufacturers and their dealers have such a narrow minded criteria for boat performance. If it will plane then it's OK! Not true!!!! It's Not OK!!! There is more to performance than if it will plane. Economy is one thing that sticks out now more than ever with gas at $3.20 per gallon or more.<br /><br />One of our regular customers is US Marine Customer Service Division for Bayliner, Maxum, and SeaRay. They buy our Smart Tabs and GIVE THEM TO UNHAPPY CONSUMERS" to keep them happy. <br />Their engineering department has tested Smart Tabs and admitted that they significantly improve the overall handling and performance. You would think that they might offer them as an option.<br />"Nope" the Marketing Department if afraid that the other manufacturers will use this as an opportunity to say that the Bayliner, Maxum, and SeaRay hulls are not good. Understand that most of the manufacturers fallow this same thinking, and they have been telling the "story" for so long they actually believe it.<br /><br />Do trim tabs (Smart Tabs) really improve the performance, handling , and economy that much? Ask the people who use them! The improvement comes not from rocket science, but from simple mechanical adjustments to the hull design. <br /><br />All boat hulls are deficient and inefficient in design, in one way or another, because the hull is rigid. Trim Tabs simply allow the hull design to be adjusted so that it can be more efficient as the conditions change (weight, balance, speed, or water conditions.) <br /><br />Why do boats have problems getting on plane? Because they are out of balance (by design the stern loaded boats have the CG far to the rear). For acceleration we commonly use a lower pitch prop (lower gear) to climb the hill (get out of the hole). The path of the boat is not forward but UP and forward. Therefore the majority of prop thrust is used to climb the hill until it gets on top. Trim tabs avoid the Hill (hole) and the thrust is used to accelerate forward. We don't have hole shots when we don't have Holes! <br /><br />Once on plane the tabs need to readjust to the new conditions and optimize the performance, ride and handling. There is no other simple way to do it. Now, if you are bent on spending money for a prop , do so with only propulsion in mind.
<br /><br />Congrats to Son-of-Boom too!