sean Posted October 8, 2005 Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 Has anyone got an attitude control fitted? I know Bennett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted October 10, 2005 Report Share Posted October 10, 2005 Whilst I don't have experience of 'auto' functiions on either trims I would seriously question the benefit for a small craft? It would seem an unnecessary complication and I can see you using manual override all the time! Being able to, and actually, trimming for the conditions is probably more important for small fishing boats than most summer leisure users - you will go out in significantly more varied conditions than most others! What do you hope to gain from the auto function? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted October 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2005 As Minston is a stern drive I need to use the tabs to trim the bow down. This tends to need almost constant adjustment to maintain a comfortable ride. I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted October 11, 2005 Report Share Posted October 11, 2005 ah well - something up there then surely? Â Phaeton is a stern drive too but I can get all the control I want out of the leg trim, and certainly don't go adjusting it much - maybe a touch here and a touch there as conditons change , but I am as likely to change the speed for that too. Â You shouldn't need any tab's other than (1) in extremes of conditions (2) when starting off to assist the boat to fully planning (3) if travelling at a speed between 'hull speed' and fully planning. (4) light use of one or other to level the boat side to side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted October 11, 2005 Report Share Posted October 11, 2005 I have heard about the Smart tabs system, almost everyone who'd installed it recommend it. Not expensive when compare to a hydralic or elec system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Removed Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 take a look at their web site  http://www.novuraniaribs.co.uk/accessories/smartabs.htm  no electrics, no wiring, no hassle. got to be good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted October 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Minston already has hydraulic trim tabs fitted, it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 sorry to push it Sean but........... Â Smartabs work of water pressure related to hull speed - ie they are designed to deal with issues 2 & 3 of my earlier post cheaply and automatically. Â you have already stated that you have to constantly adjust the tabs on your boat when going along - I assume you mean whilst cruising rather than starting off. Smarttabs will not be active at all above about 14 knots so whatever it is you think you need to adjust your tabs for just wont happen. Additionally the option to use your tabs in difficult conditions or leveling the boat side to side will be lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted October 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 This is getting complicated! I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Sean - you shouldn't be sorry it's me that picked up and ran with the red herring of Smartabs!  I have never seen the Menthe ACS on any boat I have been on but will ask around in wider powerboating forums for you to see if anyone has. My gut reaction is that few will have done because whilst the technology sounds wonderfull in real life with small boats if the conditions change sufficiently to affect the attitude of the boat significantly then it is usual to adjust speed - a variable not under the units control! Will ask anyhow.  Web wise as you have no doubt found there is very little apart from a few scandanavian reports. Best overall resource is Fours Seasons Marine in NZ link here  Have had the following response for you -  Re: attitude control systems - and their place in small boats [Re: duncan] #850048 - 20:10 14/10/2005 Edit Reply Quote Quick Reply    I installed the Mente marine ACS A+ product on our S23 as the trim needed constant adjustment. Works a treat. We've got Eltrim tabs(electric) on the S23 and I also wired in the outdrive trim.  Only issue was that the Eltrim's need to be positioned mid-position before you calibrate the unit.  I ordered direct from Mente's web site and I got the impression I was first customer in UK. You may be number 2?  (no connection to Mente etc etc)  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted October 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Thanks Duncan. I recon I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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