Does my boat ride too low?

[convergent]

Re: Does my boat ride too low?

I don't know for sure, but I believe in that short video the trim is all the way down. Trimming it out doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference in bringing the front out of the water.

"I've never used tabs, but without them you definitely plow... "
I thought that this was the opposite, without them you don't plow??

I am going to have to take off the tabs then get it out in the water for a second video run.

My bad... I meant to say that without "trimming up", you definitely plow in all the boats I've had. I have no experience with tabs so no comments on that. I find it odd that trimming up doesn't make any difference. Are you sure your motor is actually moving when you trim it up? If you trim it up far enough it would seem like it would have to lift the bow unless something is seriously wrong there.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Does my boat ride too low?

I would start by taking off the actuators from both tabs and go for a ride. Adjust trim as best you can. Then you have a reference point. The boat might not need trim tabs at all. You won't know until you try.

I agree. By looking at the video it appears you have no need for tabs, providing, as many people have already said, you're trimming it up. When it's properly trimmed, you should just feel the steering wheel pressure being released. If it porpoises, or you you hear the prop blowing out, it's trimmed up too much. At the moment you're far from that. I bet right now it's hard to turn.....

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Does my boat ride too low?

What type of prop are you running? Maybe it has to aggresive of stern lifting characteristic's in it's profile? I agree you may not need tabs at all...

Why did you install the tabs in the first place? Was low speed planing or porpoising an issue?

 

[mike-the-cobra]

Re: Does my boat ride too low?

Update; I took off the Smart Tabs and finally got the boat out this week. Runs great without them. More of the traditional front end up at startup but quickly goes on plan and doesn't ride as low in the front (sorry no video available). Speedo says top speed of 32MPH at 4400RPM with me and 2 older teenagers on board with the 3.0L. Both me and my son thought it felt faster so 2 days later we went back out with a GPS and 5 older teenagers and the speedo is exact, still 32MPH at 4400RPM. Prop appears to be a 15 x 17, factory was a 19 so that could be an issue. Any suggestions on prop?

 

[mike-the-cobra]

Re: Does my boat ride too low?

Specs say top speed is 40-42MPH

 

[americaneagler77]

Re: Does my boat ride too low?

trim it up once on plane at wot until the prop cavitates then drop it down a click. this is your top speed. something tells me your still not trimming up enough which wastes gas and loses mph