trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

[qaztwo]

Last season I finally got the boat going and I noticed it was stern heavy. When starting from a stop the bow would raise sharply, this could be lessen by adding more power. The thing that buged me was at 30 mph had to stand up to see over the bow. Was not untill 40 did the bow settle down into a proper postion( at least to me). 300lbs of fuel is already sitting up under the bow so moving weight foward is not an option, was thinking adding tabs. I believe I would like power trim tabs simply because I can sit there and play with them. They are also 4 times as much as the smart tabs I see on here and since I only want to push the bow down would power trim be a waste of money. I have no experience with trim tabs so any imput would be great.
thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

Are you saying you have a 20 foot boat that does not have power trim? If so, that's part of the problem but even without power trim you can try setting the tilt pin down a hole. It is apparently set so you have too much trim (trim out) now. Get that set right, then see if you still need trim tabs (automatic or manual). You might also consider adding an aftermarket power trim and tilt assembly.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

Sorry about the no power trim. I didn't know you had an I/O until I noticed the link to your pictures. Are you trimming all the way in when you take off? If not, you need to be. At any rate, a stern heavy boat, especially I/Os would very likely benefit from tabs (power or automatic).

 

[qaztwo]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

I should have stated I/O and yes I'm all the way out. I guess what I wanted to know are power trim tabs worth the extra money.
thanks

 

[qaztwo]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

ment down not out.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

20 ft boat, the Smart Tabs would do a good job.
I notice you are in Indiana so i doubt you will be boating in heavy seas.. The power trim tabs are nice but they are much more expensive.
Smart Tabs would give you a whole new feeling boat..

 

[qaztwo]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

I actually boat over in illinios on the illinios river. It can get choppy from a passing barge, nothing that I would heavy.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

If that is a Searay(lools like it in the pics) were notorious for being "bow high" in that vintage.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

20 ft boat, the Smart Tabs would do a good job.
I notice you are in Indiana so i doubt you will be boating in heavy seas.. The power trim tabs are nice but they are much more expensive.
Smart Tabs would give you a whole new feeling boat..

I would think that you'd want the 1290-80's for that boat. I have a lighter 20 ftr w/ V8 and I use the 1290-60's.

 

[Boatist]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

I think helm controlled Trim Tabs are worth every penny. My light 21 foot V Hull (2800 lb Dry) I have bennett trim tabs 24 inches wide by 12 inches deep per side. With the tabs down the bow will rise slower than the stern. It will plane at 11 mph and stay on plane to 9 mph. With tabs all the way up the boat still planes and bow comes down at 18 to 20 MPH with drive trim in the in the middle.

I boat in small river to the pacific ocean and no matter where I am I can adjust the boat trim anyway I want it with the trim tabs then adjust the drive trim for best fuel mileage.

In lakes and rivers if all you want to do is get the bow down and get on a clean plane faster then automatic tabs are cheaper. If with the drive trimmed all the way down or in and it still does not reach a clean plane till 40 I would get the biggest strongest tabs Smart tabs sells.

 

[QC]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

1) Use full throttle to get on plane and get your bow down. Sounds kinda like you might be babying her.

2) Are you sure your speedo is right? 30 MPH seems awfully high for the bow to still be up and 40 MPH seems high for a boat that struggles to get on plane.

3) What's your WOT RPM?

4) Can you make her porpoise at top speed? Trimmed all of the way out? If not then I would suggest that this is something other than a trim/tab issue. Sounds more like an issue with your seat height.

5) No intention to start another Adjustable Tab war, but if it is a problem at 30+ MPH, I would want to be able to "push" the bow down manually as opposed to hope that SmartTabs would. Unless you go with a very high pressure ram I think the tabs would be higher than you need with the sorta "automatic" nature of SmartTabs . . . BTW, no matter what, I think you should get tabs. Smart or otherwise. They should be standard on v-hulls IMHO.

Edit: Like always , Boatist and I are in sync on this issue . . . 8)

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

I also doubt that his speed is 30 MPH. None the less, making sure the motor is in proper trim is step one.

No wars today, maybne next week!

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

Same to ya John,
I'm hitting the water for the first time this season...i'll be giving those Smart Tabs a workout..8)

 

[qaztwo]

Re: trim tabs for heavy 20 foot deep vee

Thanks for the replies. The speedo has never been check, it could be wrong.