Trim Tabs

[Sinbad]

I'm interested in fitting trim tabs - and I know certain members have been arround this loop before, any advice regarding types and suppliers, and what to look for would help. I dont fancy the prices of the hydraulic ones, and would probably try the shock absorber type smart tabs first. what do people think ?

 

Its not a problem with one or two up, but with a load of gear and bodies, I'd like to get the transom up and the bow down a bit in the 10-12mph Harbour cruising speed, and when opening up the throttle on open water.

 

Paul

 

 

[Paul D]

Nauticus Smart Tabs - superb service as well.

 

You can e-mail them at info@nauticusinc.com and they were most helpful when I chose ones to fit mine.

 

PS: I was promised a bag of bits from them to repair the broken plastic strut on mine ( superglued for now ).

 

[Sinbad]

Paul

Did you ask Orkneys advice at all, being the cautious chap I know you are ?

And how much difference would you say it made to the angle of the boat, medium speed running etc ??

 

Regards

Paul

[Paul D]

Difference I noted was that the boat planed at a lower speed ( around 4-5 knots )

The nose is lower now and the boat is not so jittery ( ie. Its movement is damped ) - although still gets a little lively if steaming at speed into a wave with crew members standing up ( centre of gravity high in the boat ).

 

However, I do have 5HP excess of power available.

 

Biggest difference I noticed was I can run trimmed in a neutral position and porpoising is all but eliminated. Before fitting I had to trim the engine right in to eliminate porpoising.

 

My friend has an Orkney 23 and he has trim tabs fitted to his boat as well.

[Sinbad]

Thanks Paul

I suppose its not worth the extra expense of hydraulic ones unless you are a charter with massive variable payloads, and need to tweek them ?

 

Paul F

 

 

[Maverick Martin]

Thanks Paul

I suppose its not worth the extra expense of hydraulic ones unless you are a charter with massive variable payloads, and need to tweek them ?

 

Paul F

I would disagree with that statement. IMO hydraulic trim tabs are the dogs whotsits and would fit them to any boat I purchased that didnt have them. Untill you've had them you you just can't appreciate the difference they make. The bigger the boat the more appropriate hyd tabs become... honestly well worth the extra money

 

Martin

[Paul D]

My friends Orkney 23 has hydraulic tabs fitted.

[Tomo]

I have hydraulic trim tabs fitted to my Pirate 21 and they are a god send to cope with diffrent loads and variable sea conditions...needs a bit of use to learn how to get the best out of them.

Wouldn't be without them now...

Tomo

[gaffa]

Have to agree with Martin.

 

Reflections 2 has Bennet Hydraulic Tabs fitted and they make a tremendous difference to the boat. Thoroughly recommended.

 

They are so effective that once up to speed the boat can plane using its port or starboard chine as a keel depending upon tab settings.Can be quite disconcerting if you over adjust by mistake. I suppose the lean angle feels worse than it actually is.

 

But for those of you who permanently moor their boats with Trimtabs here's a heads up piece of advice Learnt the Hard Way.

 

1. Ensure you replace your trim tab anode regularly . For Cobbs Quay Marina I have to change Zinc Trim Tab anodes at least twice a year

 

2. During your annual lift out and antifoul make sure you antifoul the trim tab as well as the bottom but NOT where the Anode bolts to the tab and do not paint the anode.

 

Reason for above is that without antifoul paint on the trimtab the weed growth quickly obscures the condition of the Anodes.

 

I thought there was plenty of anode left as they were new at the start of the season (March) but by December they had reduced in size to become inneffective.

I couldn't see them as they were covered in growth

 

Result was Galvanic Corrosion started on the stainless steel in particular the screws holding the Tabs to the boat

 

One nice blast out to sea and a bit of wave hopping caused the screwheads to shear and the Tab was ripped off. Hence 1 tab nicely set for Bow Down and level at around 20 knots and the other acting as a sea anchor really upsets the trim of the boat and an Immediate throttle down and 6 knot cruise back to berth was required.

 

 

Remember keep an eye on those Anodes

 

Pete

[TomBettle]

Hydraulic tabs make an enormous difference and in my view are worth the expense if you spend plenty of time on the water.

Being readily adjustable you can improve the ride in any sea conditions.

 

The likes of Smart Tabs, fixed tabs and even Dolefins on outboards all have their place, but nothing beats some thatcan be adjusted at the touch of a button.

[shytalk]

lectratabs are worth a look asap do them . slightly cheaper than bennets and without the hydraulic fluid to mess about with and reliable much simpler to fit too hope thats sensible enough mr salesman

[Paul J]

Interesting stuff,

 

This is club is definatley the best place to be to learn about boats

 

Keep up the good work chaps

 

PJ

[Sinbad]

OK,

Ive got something (info) to play with now... I'm convinced that I need them, so its just a question of

[Maverick Martin]

Paul

 

My camera battery is up the creek so can't take photos of mine just yet but for further info have a look at the Bennett web site lots of info there

 

Martin

[Brian]

Paul

 

You're welcome to take a look at the Bennett Trim Tab setup on my boat. Boat at Wareham at the moment, I'm at Upton, let me know if you want to and we can pop over and you can have a look.

I installed them 2 years ago, it was very easy to do.

Edited April 14, 2007 by Brian

[Paul J]

Saw these, only two hours left

 

PJ

 

trim tabs on ebay

[Brian]

Paul

 

Just been to the boat and taken a photo of the pump.

See you Friday.

[Brian]

Here's the business end.

[Sinbad]

Brian, PJ, Pete, Shytalk, PaulD, Martin, and Tom

 

- thanks for all the comments & Great advice, it seems hydraulic tabs have most written about them, with only a few sites offering electric actuators, and even fewer the fixed spring type. The biggest doubt seems to be the sizing - I'm trying to find someone else with the same boat/engine to compare - although magic marine seem to have supplied a few day anglers and pilot houses in the past. maybe I'll just go with their recommendation of 12" chord by 10" width - should help to lift the transom a bit.

 

Perhaps I should just forget about 'cruising' - trim tabs, aft seats, toilet, loads of extra bodies - that buys alot of bait and fishing gear!

 

 

Paul

 

[Brian]

Paul

 

My boat is 22ft LOA; 18ft at the water line and weighs approx 1.5 tonnes

After taking advice from Tom at Bennetts, Here I went for 18" x 12".

Edited April 19, 2007 by Brian