Paul D Posted April 17, 2006 Report Share Posted April 17, 2006 Out from Wick with Paul J and he brother in law Des. Neo fitted with the Smart Tabs ( thought I would join the growing band !). Stopped off to try for some mullet but they are a little shy at the moment, so a couple of knocks and follows but nothing showing. Forecast was for F4-5 W, sea state slight, so we headed out as it didnt seem too bad at the run. Started to head for a distant wreck but thought better of it, given the forecast, so stopped and anchored on the ledge. Fished flood on the ledge and I had the one bite and a nice conditioned 3lb 12oz ballan wrasse. Upped anchor after two attempts as was well stuck, but tripped out and onward to another "mark" off the ledge near to where Random Harvest was fishing. Nothing showing and conditions starting to worsten, so headed back to the harbour. Tried again for some mullet. PJ caughta schoolie first ( or second chuck ) and that was it for the rest of the day. Well impressed with the trim tabs. I can run with the engine trimmed out into the "neutral" position and no porpoising at all now. Albeit I was running with 3 up and all sitting at the back for some of the time - which makes it all the more impressive as we hit 23 knots in a snotty sea and the boat wasn't slamming at all. The boat feels much more stable as well ( it is as if the boat is "heavier" - although as it was carrying 3 up then it was heavier ! - will be interesting to see it 2 up ). Finally the boat rolls much, much less now. I haven't even attempted to adjust the tabs yet, so well pleased with the results from the first run. Now who was it saying they are a waste of time on a semi-displacement boat - I can tell you they most certainly are worthwhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueboatdriver Posted April 17, 2006 Report Share Posted April 17, 2006 Might have to try and meet up with you sometime for a quick run Paul. Sound interesting. Simon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted April 18, 2006 Report Share Posted April 18, 2006 Paul's Wrasse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alun j. Posted April 18, 2006 Report Share Posted April 18, 2006 Paul, Well done on your catch; beats mine from last week ! Sorry I wasn't able to join you yesterday; I wasn't feeling too clever in the morning, got as far as making a packed lunch then saw the wind blowing the bushes about and had second [and third!] thoughts about being bumped about. With other jobs pressing, thought I'd save some 'points' and try to get to Weymouth next w.end on the neaps. Has the water warmed up a bit more yet ? Interesting to read about your 'Tabs'........ must have a look . If they are so good, how come they aren't fitted on new boats as standard ?? Alun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted April 18, 2006 Report Share Posted April 18, 2006 Interesting to read about your 'Tabs'........ must have a look . If they are so good, how come they aren't fitted on new boats as standard ?? I believe they fit em on Warrior 165's now from the factory Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest John E. DeAgro Posted April 18, 2006 Report Share Posted April 18, 2006 To answer the question regarding why trim tabs are not fitted to smaller boats (under 22 ') at the factory, there are three basic reasons: 1) before we brought out Smart Tabs, the cost of electric or hydraulic systems was disproportionate to the cost of the boat. 2) the power to weight ratio of the small boat is two times that of it's larger cousin (28' boat and up), and therefore will eventually plane. 3) The most controversial reason is safety. The smaller boat will typically run two times the top speed of the larger cousin. It is typically one fifth or less in weight. Helm controlled tabs improperly used or deployed can cause violent reaction when underway at cruising speeds. None of these reasons indicate that small boats can not benefit significantly from trim tabs, it simply means that what has been on the market is not appropriately designed for smaller boats. Until Smart Tabs that is! What we typically hear now is that something that simple can not work. What do we say, "Treat yourself to a few frustrating afternoons of searching for the unsatisfied Smart Tabs customer". Assuming you want to waist that much time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted April 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2006 John, Glad you found the site and I must say I have been extremely impressed just from my first trip out. I would also like to mention the help that I have received from Nauticus in selecting the correct tabs and in the prompt replies to my queries with regard to installation. Such service should not go unmentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady jane Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 paul, any chance of posting a picture of the tabs on your boat. im thinking about it but the more info the better. thanks andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted April 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 Certainly. Try these ( excuse the rust stains, must get a round to cleaning these ! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted April 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 Pic 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted April 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 pic 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted April 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 and one last shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady jane Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 paul, photos very helpfull. are these the 12-9 tabs that adam has put on his ? thanks andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted April 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 These are the ST980-40 model ( which are 9 x 8 inches with 40 lb actuator ) from here :- 9 x 8 smart tabs I emailed nauticus ( info@nauticusinc.com ) and gave them the spec of my boat and the problems I was having ( namely porpoising at speed when trimmed out ). They told me what tabs to fit ( all the calculations they have are for planing vessels, so mine didn't fit neatly into their categories ). I haven't played around with settings yet, I just installed them in the middle of the setting range and appears to be about right. They are most helpful, so I would advise e-mailing them ( and please mention where you heard about them - ie. PBSBAC web site ). Also, when fitting they give you some "sealing strips" but I used sealing compound as well to seal the screw holes ( as did Adam ). cheers Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 Hi Paul They are set very low. I hope they do the job, but look like you could be about to shout "DIVE DIVE DIVE" and do a submarine commander impression. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady jane Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 thank you for that advice ill send them a picture and see what they say. my boat is very much the same as yours as in semi but 5.5 rather than 5.2 do they class the warrior as different ? cheers andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul D Posted April 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 Tom, They come with a cutout angle indicator to set the initial angle ( 25 degrees I think ). Seems to work OK for me. The Warrior is different as it is a fully planing boat, so tabs are sized differently ( the charts they have are for say 17 FT boat with 75HP engine which would be somewhat interesting on my boat ! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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