Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

[dave524]

Hello Again to everyone. I was reading a article in the Boating Life magazine about trim tabs. They sound like they would help my boat when I am in it alone, but is my boat to small / underpowered for them to make a differance. I have a 17' Blue fin Sportsman with a 50hp Force motor on it. Pictures at the link below. Let me know what you think. Thanks again, Dave

http://img284.imageshack.us/img284/9264/pict0017zj4.jpg

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

I would think your boat would be a prime candidate for smart tabs.

http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi?keywords=smart%20tabs&session_id=985002567&cart_id=022858796&list_time=1154377723&view_id=39283 ] Click Here [/url]

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

Perfect candidate indeed. Would make it handle and perform much better. I would think the Smart Tabs would be perfect for your boat.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

I put smart tabs on my 17' sea nymph w/70hp and it became a whole new boat! It now handles like a sports car.....Go for it!!!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

Dave, I need to be the lone naysayer. Trim tabs are intended to keep the nose down at planing speed and assist in getting the boat up on plane. Keeping the nose down at planing speed is very useful in rough water conditions. In the ocean, I use the tabs to allow my speed to drop to ~20 MPH and still stay on plane. On the lake you boat on, I expect you would not need that benefit. The other benefit it to help you get on plane. Your boat appears to be "stern light", and likely doesn't have an issue with planing. My boat has the sterndrive and gas tank in the rear, making it difficult to plane with a heavy load, and partial to "squat" as you slow. I recommend you save your money and put it toward power trim and tilt, or a larger OB.

PS The last thing you want under smooth conditions on a lake is to have your bow forced down. You want to "carry" the bow, for more speed and efficiency.d

 

[LFK]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

I stuck the Smart Tabs on my 17' boat, and it has helped a lot.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

Chris, you are making a statement that make us think that Smart tabs will force the nose dowm at all speeds, this is incorrect as that`s why they are called "Smart". If yours do that they are installed incorectly with too much force being applied.

Your boat is a prime candidate for the smart tabs, go for it. Power trim would be a good thing though.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

Hi Chris;

Let me give you a little different perspective on trim tabs namely Smart Tabs. By the way I am not in disagreement with your point of view.

Regardless of the brand, trim tabs become an extension of the hull, and since they can be adjusted up or down (Smart Tabs adjust automatically) they alter the hull design. Similar to flaps on airplane wings.

The hull of any boat is more influential on the performance of the boat than the power plant. For example ( I know this is a stretch) you can not ski behind a barge even though it may have 2000 HP.

I do not think that helm controlled trim tabs are appropriate for a 17' boat with 50 HP but this is exactly our market (Smart Tabs). Not only will the boat plane easier, at lower speeds, with less effort, and faster, but it will ride better in any sea conditions, handle better, and use less fuel. Tall Claims? Maybe, but true! Ask the people who are using them.

Since they react to the water pressure, and constantly adjust (the Hull design) to the conditions you end up with a more efficient boat. Helm controlled tabs can not be operated to respond as quickly or well.

It is a different kind of system.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

I have them on a very similar walley boat. They are very adjustable, worth every penny. They help lift the stern for hole shot and to enable plane at lower speeds, they help ride and handling, do not decrease speed and you can still "carry" the bow. They are very beneficial for marginally powered vessels and those that are stern heavy.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

John, Thanks for the update on your product. I am clearly not an expert on your product, however, I have a hard time understanding how your product will make all boats ride better in all conditions, all boats handle better and all boats use less fuel. The differences in water conditions, hull designs and efficient trim are too great for a spring operated device to adjust optimally.

Furthermore, any downward force on a trim tab at planing speed will drive the bow downward, to some extent, and this may or may not be optimum.

I do think your product has a place in the boating market, however. It is clearly an alternative to the hydraulic trim tabs in both price and operation.

IMHO, Dave524 certainly does not need hydraulic trim tabs, and I am not familar enough with your product to make a judgement on whether it would help him.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

Chris;

"Every" and "ALL" are tough terms to live up to for sure.

Our application is targeted at power boats which are stern drive by either an Outboard, or I/O. Typically these boats are stern heavy, meaning that the axis point of the boat is well aft of mid ship. Additionally they are predominantly V hulls which further aggravates the planing problem.

Out trim tabs must be appropriately sized to the boat and the actuators must be the appropriate pressure to offset the stern load. We have 7 basic models with different plate sizes and different actuators.

This combination. in addition to the adjustments available on each model, provide the ability tune the system (pressure) to suite the particular boat.

When cruising the tabs are retracted but continue to exert some pressure. It is similar to the suspension system on a car. They cushion the ride, stabilize the boat in turns, eliminate bounce and porpoising. Because the boat is running cleaner and the motor can be trimmed out more, the speed builds. The cleaner ride also translates into less drag and more MPH at nearly all RPM levels.

As for the tilt trim function of the motor, it is still effective and allows for even more attitude adjustment.

Candidly, we got lucky because I never intended for this simple product to do so much.

I do not blame you for being skeptical. It sounds too good to be true.

 

[DJ]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

Having just spent a week running a boat with hydraulic trim tabs I can say this:

1. They are not quick to react.

2. They are not easy to use, for the novice.

3. They require contstant adjustment as the load and water conditions change.

With that said, they work beautifully on a large heavy boat, such as the type I was operating. They are a necessity on a big boat.

I think the Smart Tabs are just the ticket for smaller boats. The more planing area you can add to a hull, the better.

Lets also not forget that the Force 50 the poster is running is not a big powerhouse and swings a small prop.. The additional stern lift would be welcome.

 

[dave524]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

Hello Again. My main question about Smart Tabs is that I boat alone, and while running at full speed ( 25mph ) my boat lists to the starboard side. I assume this is due to my weight on the side for driving. Will smart tabs correct this issue, or do I need something else. I also do have alot of stern weight , 2 batts, 9 gal fuel, 2 anchors, and tools all under the rear decking. I have thought about moving the battery to the front, but if tabs will help, I am in favor of them. Also I have only had 2 people on the boat, I dont know if the boat will get up on plane with 4 people in it. Thanks for all of the information, I have learned alot .
Thanks, Dave

 

[LFK]

Re: Trim Tabs ? Is my boat to small ??

Hello Again. My main question about Smart Tabs is that I boat alone, and while running at full speed ( 25mph ) my boat lists to the starboard side. I assume this is due to my weight on the side for driving. Will smart tabs correct this issue, or do I need something else.

My boat was leaning to port at full speed. Smart tabs have fixed my problem. You can adjust each side according to your needs, and fine tune them after each trip out on the water.