are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

[phatmanmike]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2486786058&category=31283

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

I don't like fixed trim tabs. If you're going to go to the trouble, get adjustable tabs. They should help a boat plane faster, but they may push the front down so much that you have to trim a lot to compensate and lose speed and suck air when cornering.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

Got a set of fixed aluminum ones I'd sell you cheap Phatman. They help you on the planing but beat you to death at speed.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

I feel "fixed" tabs are great for some of these large power boats that never really get "over" the step-kind of a semi-plane condition, and helps them keep the nose down alittle but never need to raise them because they never really clear the step...my 2 cents<br />EDIT: If I may cion a phrase from Dhadley, they are simply a "Tool"....What that tool does in this case, I believe would be exactly what I mentioned above...

 

[cuzner]

Re: are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

Hey phat,might be a better idea to spend a bit more and get smart tabs.<br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[wgander]

Re: are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

I never saw the eBay item before, but it looks like it does the same thing as a hydrofoil/fin. The advantage over a hydrofoil/fin would be the stress is on the transom instead of the outdrive.<br />For it's price, I'd consider it a good option.<br />For more money, go with SmartTabs.<br />If you can afford it, controllable trim tabs are the best option.<br />The trouble is most ignorant posters don't think about how much you can afford or what kind of boat you have before they criticize foils and Tabs and say they only thing to get is trim tabs. They forget that you'll have to pay hundred of dollars for the tabs.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

Originally posted by Bill Andersen:<br /> The trouble is most ignorant posters don't think about how much you can afford or what kind of boat you have before they criticize foils and Tabs and say they only thing to get is trim tabs. They forget that you'll have to pay hundred of dollars for the tabs.

Carefull there Buddy!!

 

[cuzner]

Re: are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

I was'nt tryimg to talk you into buying anything phat,my line of thinking..., the ones listed on e-bay 24$ + 9$ for shipping.They appear to be made of plastic, and non adjustable.smart tabs less than 100$ + shipping (iboats)stainless steel and adjustable. I don't have smart tabs, I have bennetts, but feedback on the forum about them is good. If I was going to be drilling holes in my hull I would go with smart tabs. Just my opinion I think thats what you looking for.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[JasonJ]

Re: are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

I personally would get Smart tabs or adjustable tabs. The Smart tabs are reasonably priced, and adjustables come up on Ebay at okay prices on occasion. This of course is dependant on the amount of money you want to spend, but maybe saving up a bit of green and getting a good product is a better way to do it than to buy a cheap product, find out it sucks, then end up buying the more expensive better product and be out the green for the cheapy. Good luck...

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

Hi Guys;<br /><br />The product on e-bay was made by Taylor Made (the bumper people) but discontinued. SOmeone said they would be like a Hydrofoil except mounted to the hull. Tha is about right! The advantage would be that they lift from either side of the boat hull not from the center on the motor.<br /><br />The disadvantage is that "you get what you get". This could be not enough lift or too much lift (when on plane). They are plastic and would likely take a "set" after some use. This would alter the performance. It is a role of the dice since they can not be adjusted. If they provide too much lift at high speeds, the boat will run bow down, bow steer, and loose top end and fuel economy.<br /><br />If your boat only runs at 25mph or so they would be better than a hydrofoil. I do not know how long they will last in use.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

i thought i may give them a try, since they were cheap...as i didnt have the 100 or so dollars for a set of smarty's !<br /><br />boat is 16foot center console with 115 inline 6 merc. top speed now is in mid 40's, but should get up to low 50's with proper trim and tuning, such as smart tabs.<br /><br />what size would i need, naught john?

 

[BillP]

Re: are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

I think those are the same ones I had on a small skiff around 1975, it ran a max speed of 25mph. For getting on a plane quicker they acted like any other tab. These flexed down at low speeds and flattened out at high speed. They could be minimally tweaked for different speeds by raising or lowering the whole tab with the slotted holes. Too much bow down at high speeds = raise the tab, etc.. Mine got cracked from beaching.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: are these trim tabs worth anything? or are they crap!?!?

Phatmanmike;<br /><br />The Ideal set up for your boat with Smart Tabs would be ST1290-60. I do not know if the Taylor product comes in sizes.