Hydrofoil or Trim Tabs??

[Popeye251]

I have a 2018 G3 Angler V17 with a 115 SHO Yamaha on it. The boat really struggles with more than 2 people and my usual gear to get up on plane.. it was bad enough last yr it would not even accelerate anymore past like 13 we were plowing with a heavier load on it... with 2 it runs good. But you add that 3rd and it struggles.. I've done Hydrofoils before and they have worked, not sure it was this bad tho.. so I have been look at the automatic trim tabs, any feedback... pros cons on both items... my concern is if the tabs work as good as some say, and I hit that big wind on bigger water and need to lift the front am I going to be able too?? Or would that be something you'd have to invest into the adjustable tabs?

 

[Chris1956]

How does it work with a lower pitch prop?

If you get non-adjustable tabs or a hydrofoil, the nose will always be down. Not good on bass-type boats. You want to lift the bow for high speed.

 

[racerone]

Find out what is wrong with the boat set up or the motor.-----That boat with a 115 HP motor should take off like a rocket and go 40 miles / hour.

 

[lprizman]

Something ain't right here.....prop hub ok?
What are the tons when l as launching?

 

[racerone]

No way that this boat needs trim tabs !!!

 

[southkogs]

I agree ^^^ much bigger problem at hand.

That boat should barely be planing at 13MPH, and that's a 17' tinny with 115HP ... I had a 16' with a 50HP fiberglass that could hold 20MPH, and the 50HP was 50% the max HP. Something is wrong. Have you verified the boats weight with the outboard to make sure you're not water logged or something?

And you've never had it run properly, correct? As said, that's a 35-40 MPH boat.

 

[racerone]

Your local boat shop can assist you.----Stop running this motor until you find out what is wrong.

 

[dwco5051]

Lots of G-3's around here as the local dealer is only nine miles away. My guess is that 115 hp is not being transferred into thrust. Bad prop possible but more than likely motor problem.

 

[Popeye251]

I agree ^^^ much bigger problem at hand.

That boat should barely be planing at 13MPH, and that's a 17' tinny with 115HP ... I had a 16' with a 50HP fiberglass that could hold 20MPH, and the 50HP was 50% the max HP. Something is wrong. Have you verified the boats weight with the outboard to make sure you're not water logged or something?

And you've never had it run properly, correct? As said, that's a 35-40 MP

How does it work with a lower pitch prop?

If you get non-adjustable tabs or a hydrofoil, the nose will always be down. Not good on bass-type boats. You want to lift the bow for high speed.

Haven't tried a lower pitch prop yet . I don't want to lose top end.. its a brand new engine I bought the boat as a carry over 2 yrs old.. maybe it'll get better the further away from break-in I get..

 

[Popeye251]

Alright so it will run 40 when you get it up, it's the getting it up with more than 3 people in there. My next part of the question to the guys saying tabs, is I fish Devils Lake ND, Lake Sakakawea ND and Lake of the Woods MN, they are all Lakes that the wind comes up unexpectedly in the summer at times, so if need be with the tabs can I lift the front end by trimming the motor?? I've had a hydrofoil before and know it's harder but can be done, back on that boat I had never seen Auto Trim Tabs like the ones I have been looking at.

 

[Popeye251]

Your local boat shop can assist you.----Stop running this motor until you find out what is

Its in winter storage, I've been looking and researching and finally here since November when I put it away.. The marine shop locally has no mechanic just parts.. and I would not take a toy boat there...its a 150 miles atleast to my nearest shop.. it is also a brand new engine, 2018 carryover... like I say its only problem is loaded down, my research says this should fix it.

 

[shrew]

Hydrofoils give lift to the motor, transferring vertical force to the motor mounts attachment points on the transom. These were not designed for vertical forces to lift the hull.

Trim tabs are designed to extend the hulls running surface and give the hull lift.

 

[racerone]

You either have the wrong prop or there is something wrong with the motor.----Or there is something wrong with the boat !!----Or too high a pitch on the prop.-----Note----By going to a lower pitch prop you will NOT LOSE TOP END SPEED , do some prop research here.

 

[JimS123]

Trim tabs are great and will help you a lot. But its questionable if they will be of value on a little tinny outboard.

Position the motor so the AV plate is about equal with the water level when on plane. Then change prop pitch so that you run nearly equal to the max rpm spec for the engine. Then add a Doelfin. Not any of the other brands of foils, but the real thing.

With the rpms optimized and the fin running on top of the water at plane you will have the best of both worlds. You'll have a lower planing speed, faster hole shot and best fuel economy, while maintaining your top end speed.

Just my opinion with over 50 boat years of foils on outboards. Others will advise you just the opposite. Try it and you'll like it. If you miss any of the requirements you won't be happy.

 

[Stinnett21]

I assume you're talking about Nauticus Smart Tabs. I run a set on my 21' bowrlder I/O and love them. You can search the forums there is a ton written on them, mostly excellent reviews (except for the coastal crowd). I bought the plate retractors (flip up levers) so if I ever need to defeat them I can. But do you have room for them? Do you have boarding ladder, transducers, etc. in the way? Do you have dual batteries in the back? Full live well? How big are your buddies? All of this comes into play. Can you access the boat and get some numbers off the prop for us?

 

[JimS123]

I assume you're talking about Nauticus Smart Tabs. I run a set on my 21' bowrlder I/O and love them.

Big heavy plastic boat with no ability to optimize the engine except for different props. Ideal trim tab situation. Apples and oranges for the OP.

 

[Stinnett21]

Tend to disagree somewhat Jim. It seems to me a shorter boat with heavier stern is text book case for tabs.

 

[southkogs]

@Popeye251 - Am I catching this correctly that you bought the boat new from a dealer? And the boat with three people and gear on board (but not overweight above MAX Capacity) won't do over 13MPH?

Because if I've got that right, it's time to bring the dealer into the equation (I think). That boat is rated for a MAX HP of 150, but it's regularly sold with 115HP. I don't know what the performance difference is between the two ('cuz 115 is at the bottom end of the HP you would want by math), it shouldn't keep it from planing.

 

[skuhleman]

I wouldn't suggest anything until you know what your max speed and max rpm is when loaded normally.
Also with your 3rd person, where are they sitting?
While you might be able to slap a hydrofoil on and be good, you might still be under your max rpm and straining the engine.

 

[racerone]

Well-----Sounds to me that dealer never set it up correctly.------I remember boating years ago------17' deep V hull with 100 HP 1966 Johnson.-----3 people in the boat.-----2 people on slalom skis and that boat would pull them up and out of the water.-----Go at 30 MPH with the 2 skiers up.-----What fun those days were !!!