Dimensions custom trim plates

[Henkies]

Hi,

I'm fabbing my own trim plates like the Nauticus gas spring controlled stainless smart tabs.
Because I have a 30hp 2 stroke 3.80m/12,5ft inflatable and plan to install transom wheels as well, there's limited space.
Usually the trim plates are 9 ?nch wide x 8 inch deep, with a spring rate of 18kg/40lbs. I can make them 6,5 inch wide only.
How much should I extend them to compensate for the smaller width? Or would it suffice to increase the spring rate?

I'm just starting boating, so any help of an experienced is welcome. Thanks!

 

[jbcurt00]

Whats the reason you want to add the tabs?

Low in the stern?

Slow to plane?

Never seen tabs on a 12.5ft boat, let alone a small inflatable..

Not sure the spring rate vs tab size is linear, so 1/2 spring rate may or may not need a half sized tab or vice versa

I have seen several smallish aluminum boats w a long trailing 'lip' at the bottom of the stern. A very small tab of sorts I guess.

I see lots of tab sizes of various length/width combos and multiple spring rate trial and error runs in your future

Be interested to see what you come up w.

Good luck