trim tabs anyone?

[73 Dolphin]

I think it's pretty clear at this point that Starcraft boats don't
handle chop very well.

I have a 22 foot chieftain . I also live in Florida
and the chop can be pretty severe.

Down here in the gulf I've had my boat throw itself out the water
and crash down like a sperm whale !

Anyway , to save my kidneys,I've decided to fit some trim tabs but where the hinges would
be fixed is below the transom. And that's unsupported unreinforced aluminum.

Does anyone have experience or suggestions ?

Thanks !

 

[barato2]

Re: trim tabs anyone?

why not reinforce it on the inside of the transom? i'll look at the factory (i think cuz i've seen identical ones on other SCs of this vintage) trim tabs on my Starchief to see what the factory did.

that behavior on the part of your boat is called "spy-hopping" and tin hulls are liable to do that and other forms of acting out when they feel threatened. you didn't bring any aluminum cans on board, did you?

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: trim tabs anyone?

Oh no, it's the beer cans !

 

[JD in Milwaukee]

Re: trim tabs anyone?

I have trim tabs on my 22' Islander center console. They work very well. I had the boat out on Lake Michigan last night with wind whipped 5 foot rollers. The boat handled spectacularly. When you play with the tabs you can really feel their effect. From what I can see they are bolted where the bottom and transom come together, so it's 2 ply's right there. Where the rams are bolted it's through the transom wood.

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: trim tabs anyone?

I think your hinge holes must be higher than mine . The trim tabs need
to be mounted as close to bottom of hull as possible. The problem I have
is that the mounting holes would be between the bottom of the hull and
the transom. So it looks like ill have to make some reinforcement
because there is a tremendous amount of force exerted at the hinge
point , I think. I'm not worried about the rams as they attach
to the transom.

 

[JD in Milwaukee]

Re: trim tabs anyone?

I'll have to take a closer look at the end of the week. My tabs have a lot of bolts at the hinge point. I can't imagine the forces to be to great because the tabs themselves aren't that thick.

I think your hinge holes must be higher than mine . The trim tabs need
to be mounted as close to bottom of hull as possible. The problem I have
is that the mounting holes would be between the bottom of the hull and
the transom. So it looks like ill have to make some reinforcement
because there is a tremendous amount of force exerted at the hinge
point , I think. I'm not worried about the rams as they attach
to the transom.

 

[73 Dolphin]

Re: trim tabs anyone?

JD.
Any chance you took a look ?