Jdeagro
iboats.com Partner
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2003
- Messages
- 1,682
Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?
Wow!
I feel compelled to jump in here. Please understand that I do have some off shore experience in Southern California with following seas. My boat was a Carver Mariner with a bridge. 32' in length and 11.5' wide. at about 12500 Lb. Bennett trim tabs.
My sons boat is a 18' center console with a 115 HP Merc. Smart Tabs.
First thing we need to say is that the pilot needs to be comfortable with the equipment he is using.
Second is the boat size and type is a major consideration.
The following sea issue has come up before and in theory lifting the stern while surfing down the front of a good size wave is not advisable. However, even then we have to understand the other factors.
First, Smart Tabs ST1290-80 have the nominal stern lift of 160 Lb. when on plane. This is less than 1% of the hull displacement weight of the applicable boat. It is not enough to override the power trim of the out drive. It is however enough to allow the boat to run slower and stay on plane, which is a good thing when throttling back on the front side of the wave. In other words when surfing down the front of a larger wave you neither want the boat to speed down the wave and nose into the bottom, or fall off plane and get swamped from the back. The ability to control speed is most important in rough water conditions.
That said, the extended surface of the hull caused by the trim tabs is a factor as well. In the case of helm controlled trim tabs this surface is stationary and can increase lift on the stern simply because it is there and fixed. Smart Tabs can only increase the stern lift to the load rating of the actuator (max is 160 Lb.) because they will rotate up, not just to horizontal but another 15 degrees. The stroke of the actuator is more than required to bring the tabs to level.
We have not found them to be detrimental to handling in following seas, and I do not know of others who have either. If some one has we need to know, so please contact us directly.
After all of that, I agree with QC on his choice, because that is what he is comfortable with and has confidence in. No one should add anything to there boat that they feel may compromise it's performance or their confidence.
For my 30' Carver the Bennet tabs where the correct choice, and worked well for me. For our current 22' Searay, and my sons 18' center console boat the Smart Tabs are the correct choice for us.
Wow!
I feel compelled to jump in here. Please understand that I do have some off shore experience in Southern California with following seas. My boat was a Carver Mariner with a bridge. 32' in length and 11.5' wide. at about 12500 Lb. Bennett trim tabs.
My sons boat is a 18' center console with a 115 HP Merc. Smart Tabs.
First thing we need to say is that the pilot needs to be comfortable with the equipment he is using.
Second is the boat size and type is a major consideration.
The following sea issue has come up before and in theory lifting the stern while surfing down the front of a good size wave is not advisable. However, even then we have to understand the other factors.
First, Smart Tabs ST1290-80 have the nominal stern lift of 160 Lb. when on plane. This is less than 1% of the hull displacement weight of the applicable boat. It is not enough to override the power trim of the out drive. It is however enough to allow the boat to run slower and stay on plane, which is a good thing when throttling back on the front side of the wave. In other words when surfing down the front of a larger wave you neither want the boat to speed down the wave and nose into the bottom, or fall off plane and get swamped from the back. The ability to control speed is most important in rough water conditions.
That said, the extended surface of the hull caused by the trim tabs is a factor as well. In the case of helm controlled trim tabs this surface is stationary and can increase lift on the stern simply because it is there and fixed. Smart Tabs can only increase the stern lift to the load rating of the actuator (max is 160 Lb.) because they will rotate up, not just to horizontal but another 15 degrees. The stroke of the actuator is more than required to bring the tabs to level.
We have not found them to be detrimental to handling in following seas, and I do not know of others who have either. If some one has we need to know, so please contact us directly.
After all of that, I agree with QC on his choice, because that is what he is comfortable with and has confidence in. No one should add anything to there boat that they feel may compromise it's performance or their confidence.
For my 30' Carver the Bennet tabs where the correct choice, and worked well for me. For our current 22' Searay, and my sons 18' center console boat the Smart Tabs are the correct choice for us.