gjb Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 Has anyone fitted trimtabs to a quicksilver 640 if so what make and size i would be very glad of any advise at all on this thankyou graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 For a boat of your size go for Bennett or Lenco Tabs, NOT the economy fixed tabs like Smart Tabs. A pure guess would be that you'll want 12" x 9" tabs for your boat. They will certainly be very effective. A word of caution will be that Bennett would recommend much bigger than necessary... no idea why. If you can stretch to it, go for the LED trim level indicator as it makes life easier not just going by "feel" alone. I don't recommend the new Auto tabs that are supposed to self level the boat as there are times when you want the bow up a little and times when you want it trimmed down a little. In addition, I prefer the plate style tabs from the brands above rather than the drop down ones from QL. The QL ones work very well, but don't effectively increase the waterline length of the boat and create even more drag than the plate ones. Forget any marketting twaddle about increased speed or economy. The tabs will improve ride by giving the most comfortable trim. They work by creating drag which will obviously slow you down a fraction and increase fuel consumption. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjb Posted June 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 Thankyou Tom One of my main concerns are they going to fit because where the ram arm fits it looks as if the drainage holes from the deck would be in the way i don't know hence the query and i think if all is well i will go for the bennett trimtabs cheers graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djredrupp Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 why not just use the engine trim? gives a similar effect i believe ?! Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 (edited) why not just use the engine trim? gives a similar effect i believe ?! Dan Not really, you can end up with the prop trying to lift the stern, rather than parralel to the direction of travel, which is not the most efficient. There's a picture here explaining what I mean Bennetts If you're worried about room to position them ask here I supplied him with a photo and dimensions of the stern. Edited June 2, 2008 by Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinbad Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 (edited) I went ahead and fitted Bennets sport tabs to my Orkney, and after a year of use I wouldnt be without them. As for sizing, I seem to remember getting Bennets or the retailer (mailspeed marine) to recommend a size, then checked with Orkney - and compared the two. Fitting is straightforward to the average DIYer... I find the most use is when all the crew change sides suddenly when 'sightseeing' and the boat takes on a 10 degree list.... easy to correct the balance by digging in the tab. Then there's seeing where you are going - quite handy to get the bow down, depending on how you boat reacts to displacement sailing before it is on the plane. Then theres just facing the oncoming waves - some boats seem to cut through the waves a bit better when the nose is down a bit. I agree sort of with Toms suggestion of the LED indicators, i wish i had fitted them, but cost was the main reason for not. I often finding myself taking off all the trim and starting again, to make sure where the tabs are..... Also, without touching the throttle, if you raise the tabs a little (i.e remove the trim), then the speed of the boat increases - so they do create drag which adversely effects economy. However if your boat is struggling to get onto the plane, they can provide the lift at the stern to change the angle of the engine and provide that additional shove. Paul Edited June 2, 2008 by Sinbad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaffa Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 Graham, I agree with Paul and Toms comments and recommendations and here are a couple of my own. TIP 1 FIT BIG ANODES If you are moored in Cobbs Quay or in another particularly brackish water environment make sure you fit extra large anodes to each tab. I had a new anode about 65mm dia fitted to each at the start of the season but about 8 months later the trim tab STAINLESS STEEL screw heads on both tabs were corroded away so badly that on one I ripped off the tab on the way back to harbour. I now have 2 anodes on each tab. the original plus a bigger one around 90mm hopefully these will last the year. TIP 2 USE METAL ANTIFOUL ON THE TABS Part of the reason I Lost the trim tab was that I couldn't see the anode for all the weed growth that uses the tab as a sort of hydroponics garden base. I had even antifouled the tabs with the same same stuff as the boat. This year Holes Bay Marine have put some Black Antifouling paint specially for metals on the tabs and so far the brown algae just sweeps off with a couple of strokes of the brush .The rams however have not been antifouled and are starting to collect the green weed although at present this to is easy to remove. Re the TAB position indicating LEDS I would love to have them as like Paul I sometimes have to lift tabs right up to get a starting point for rebalancing equally The LEDS were not available when my tabs were fitted and its an expensive retrofit as the cylinders have to have sensors fittted etc. I can't do it with the boat on the mooring Peteg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shytalk Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 i found lectra tabs to be pretty good simple to fit and no hydraulics to worry about which ever make you go for bin all the screws supplied and get good quality a4 stainless as the supplied ones are shite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjb Posted June 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 I would like to thank everyone for there input lots to think about and find out about i like the idea of the LED once again thankyou cheers graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coddy Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 Have a look at these http://www.trickettmarineproducts.co.uk/trimtabs.htm They are local as well. I have them on my boat but I do need to antifoul them as the weed growth is massive! Coddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shytalk Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 need a mortgage for those eltrim ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toerag Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 Re: indicators - essential if you need to use the tabs a lot. I normally leave mine fully up and trim with the leg or by shifting weight around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 I haven't got indicators, so can't really comment on them. I don't really need to know where the trim tabs are, I always adjust for best ride/performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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