Re: Trim tabs AND hydrofoils?
Tabman, my email was returned. This is what I said:<br />Thanks for your note. My boat is currently in storage, and I won't get a chance to measure the tabs until this weekend. In the meantime, if it's any help, it's what ever the tabs Bennet was selling Seaswirl for the 2300 Striper WA in 2000 (just before OMC went bankrupt and their boat assets were sold to Genmar). My issues are: 1) hole shot and 2) boat list while planing. It's not that they're bad; they're just not perfect!<br /><br />My sense is that the tabs may too small. I would guess that when the boat size, etc. is figured out, the accountants ordering the tabs didn't figure in the weight of fuel, a kicker motor, hefty fishermen, fishing gear and all the toys we insist on putting on boats. <br />The tabs correct list if there's a little (1-10 mph) wind to the side of the boat, but anything more and the tabs are ineffective. <br /><br />It may be my boating skills, but I have yet to figure out how tabs can help my hole shot. On initial acceleration, they will push the bow down, but it takes longer to get onto plane than without because they seem to be also causing drag at the same time.<br /><br />If there's no waves or heavy chop, I'll usually use the motor's power trim/tilt to push up the bow for the most efficient speed; in those times, naturally I'm not using any tabs at all. If I need the bow down, I'll adjust it by the power trim, and rarely use the tabs (because they don't seem to make a difference). As I say, it may be my inadequate boating skills. On the other hand, I can't help but wonder "What if......?"
Tabman, my email was returned. This is what I said:<br />Thanks for your note. My boat is currently in storage, and I won't get a chance to measure the tabs until this weekend. In the meantime, if it's any help, it's what ever the tabs Bennet was selling Seaswirl for the 2300 Striper WA in 2000 (just before OMC went bankrupt and their boat assets were sold to Genmar). My issues are: 1) hole shot and 2) boat list while planing. It's not that they're bad; they're just not perfect!<br /><br />My sense is that the tabs may too small. I would guess that when the boat size, etc. is figured out, the accountants ordering the tabs didn't figure in the weight of fuel, a kicker motor, hefty fishermen, fishing gear and all the toys we insist on putting on boats. <br />The tabs correct list if there's a little (1-10 mph) wind to the side of the boat, but anything more and the tabs are ineffective. <br /><br />It may be my boating skills, but I have yet to figure out how tabs can help my hole shot. On initial acceleration, they will push the bow down, but it takes longer to get onto plane than without because they seem to be also causing drag at the same time.<br /><br />If there's no waves or heavy chop, I'll usually use the motor's power trim/tilt to push up the bow for the most efficient speed; in those times, naturally I'm not using any tabs at all. If I need the bow down, I'll adjust it by the power trim, and rarely use the tabs (because they don't seem to make a difference). As I say, it may be my inadequate boating skills. On the other hand, I can't help but wonder "What if......?"