More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

Lrider

Chief Petty Officer
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May 19, 2010
Messages
631
The thing attached to my motor, (it looks like a big flipper) I am told that, it is just like trim tabs, but I read someplace that the device can cause a lot of stress on the transom and motor mounts.

Would the auto-trim device be better? my boat is approximately 3000 pounds fully loaded and is 17.5 feet -
 

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dockwrecker

Lieutenant
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Mar 10, 2006
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Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

Junk! Crap! Band-Aid! Pain in the ....Lose it! Tabs my friend, tabs.
 

Lrider

Chief Petty Officer
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May 19, 2010
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Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

LoL I can agree with that - I guess I was talking about smart tabs, I have read that they may reduce speed a few knots, I don't think I would be all that concerned. They look to be pretty functional and certainly affordable compaired to the nice tabs

in the catalog it shows two sizes for my boat length, I am thinking that the bigger springs might be a better option for my boat

Or would I be looking for some problems with over kill
 

koko1

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 9, 2010
Messages
95
Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

Call or email them your boat info and they will tell you exactly which size you need.Here is their contact info.. Also here is a sizing chart to tell you what size you need also...http://www.nauticusinc.com/pdf/application_chart.pdf

Nauticus, Inc

8080 Snowville Rd.
Brecksville, OH 44141
Toll Free: 800-233-0194
Fax: 440-746-1291
info@NauticusInc.com
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

Tabs and foils are to correct a hull that won't plane correctly.

Pull the wing and see how the boat runs, you may not need anything at all.
 

IH8JEEP

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
43
Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

The thing attached to my motor, (it looks like a big flipper) I am told that, it is just like trim tabs, but I read someplace that the device can cause a lot of stress on the transom and motor mounts.

Would the auto-trim device be better? my boat is approximately 3000 pounds fully loaded and is 17.5 feet -

I have the same boat year and model and a 88 spl. That is a type of "doil fin" and it did wonders on this boat. I was having a couple problems before I put on a origanal doil fin(cheap one)
1-Having trouble coming up to plane,bow would just point skyward even with motor trimmed all the way down COMES UP TO PLANE ALL WAYS NOW
2-Prop would blow out unless motor was trimmed all the way down,first time out this happened I thought the lower unit broke NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER INSTAL
3-I have quicker hole shot now bow stays down and you can see infront of you before bow would rise and you thought you were in a airplane taking off
4-Before making a sharp turn prop would catch air rpm would race on motor. That was fixed also
I had my douts about this thing. I thought it was just a gimmick for the suckers. I provbly wound not tried it but a local marine shop was going out of buisness I could not pass it up for a whole $1.00. I agree you might lose a little speed any time you add weight or drag but I all so think you will get better fuel mpg the motor is not working as hard to keep bow down. I think it all depends on the boat if it will work. Don't put it on thinking it will give you more speed,don't put it on a 12' jon with a 9.9 two guys and full of fishing gear. I see that all the time at the local lake. These fins are made to lift the stern,lower the bow,provide more thrust thats it.....
 

proshadetree

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 19, 2008
Messages
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Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

I installed a fin on my Baylinner. The nose would just point to the sky. My boat is a cuddy. Now you would think the nose would stay down, nope all the people are in the back. After the fin planes nice and has had very little loss of top speed. I can change outdrives faster than I can transoms. Yes I know you seal those tab screws but do they stay sealed?
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

for a 17' boat you might be able to just use your trim/tilt and skip the tabs; I do.
 

dcducks1

Cadet
Joined
Jan 27, 2011
Messages
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Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

I have used the engine mounted fins on several boats and have been very pleased with the performance vs. cost associated with them. It removes dangerous bouncing, better hole shots, and brings it on plane very fast.
 

DuckHunterJon

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 19, 2010
Messages
1,082
Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

Lrider - before doing anything, take 5 minutes, pull the fin off and try it. I bought a boat once with one on it and pulled it - boat ran the exact same with out it. Talked to the original owner and he "thought it looked cool". It promptly went in the trash and I never had a problem with out it. Just a thought - try before you buy.
 

IH8JEEP

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
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Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

Lrider - before doing anything, take 5 minutes, pull the fin off and try it. I bought a boat once with one on it and pulled it - boat ran the exact same with out it. Talked to the original owner and he "thought it looked cool". It promptly went in the trash and I never had a problem with out it. Just a thought - try before you buy.

That is good advice
 

Joshua Nichols

Lieutenant
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
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Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

How is the boat running in the water now? I can make my boat ride how ever I want just by adjusting the trim..
If you don't think that thing is helping.. Pull the 4 or 6 bolts and try some runs without it

3000# seems like a lot of weight for that little Johnny:eek: You could move some of your ballast(aka ur gear) around.. Be surprised how moving so of your gear around to the front will change the ride in a boat..

I use to have people ride in different places to help keep my little boat running level:D
 

IH8JEEP

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
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Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

Hes pretty close on weight I have same boat even same motor. http://forums.iboats.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=53731&d=1274369932 These boats ride a little stern heavy, bow high. I agree get all "crap" toward bow and sometimes I fill live well if I need more weight in bow and boat cuts through water instead porpoising In that link picture at idle you can see the bow high,stern low.
1500 boat
325 motor
400 gas(65gal)
300-400 2 people
200-300 gear,food, ice, eletronics and all that other crap we "need"
=2725-2925
 

fishrdan

Admiral
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
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Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

Lrider - before doing anything, take 5 minutes, pull the fin off and try it.

That is good advice

^^ Yup, good advice.

I have a fin (StingRay Jr ?) on my 7.5 HP and the jon boat runs great with it on. I pulled the fin to see how much speed I would gain,,, and... The boat was a PIG with the fin off, slow to plane, the bow rode too high on plane and it was slower on the top end. The fin went back on when I got home.
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
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Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

^^ Yup, good advice.

I have a fin (StingRay Jr ?) on my 7.5 HP and the jon boat runs great with it on. I pulled the fin to see how much speed I would gain,,, and... The boat was a PIG with the fin off, slow to plane, the bow rode too high on plane and it was slower on the top end. The fin went back on when I got home.
Little boats w little motors & tiller steering have trouble planing too much weight in the stern.
While the fin will help it will be slower than a boat balanced right without a fin.Could you feel the difference; probably. A tiller extension will get you in the middle seat, will plane as fast and run faster.Also you will stay dryer on a windy day.The 7.5 doesn't use much fuel but will go farther on a gallon if balanced right and no foil.
 

fishrdan

Admiral
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
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Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

Little boats w little motors.....

I wasn't really comparing my rig with the OP's, just saying to take off the fin and try it.

(BTW, my boat is balanced as well as it can be, batteries and fuel tank in the middle seat, only the OB, TM and myself in the stern. Only way to balance it better is for ME to go on a diet :D)
 

chriscraft254

Commander
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
2,445
Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

Op,Nauticus Trim tabs are the way to go man, they will improve your performance greatly! Check out the link, it will show you why that hydrofoil is not good, among alot of other good info on boat attitudes that most people don't understand.. This is kinda hidden on there website and it to me is some very good information. http://www.nauticusinc.com/pdf/nauticus_smart_tabs_tech_info.pdf
 

chriscraft254

Commander
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
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Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

Op,Smart Tabs are based on the wieght of your boat. The "nice tabs" have there place, but the nauticus tabs are the "nice tabs" for your size boat.;) They will not reduce your speed, you actually will gain speed. Check out the link I provided above, it is a link that is on there main website. It will explain pretty much everything you need to know.
 

chriscraft254

Commander
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
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Re: More - how to get boat to ride level in water???

5150abf Quote [ Tabs and foils are to correct a hull that won't plane correctly.

Pull the wing and see how the boat runs, you may not need anything at all.]

This is only partially correct. Any boat that has a stern engine can and will be helped by having a set of trim tabs. Boats can plane without them, but they plain more efficient with them, no matter what type you buy! Foils were a failed attemp at doing the job of what trim tabs are made for. The foil will decrease performance in alot of areas....You may also want to check out the link I provided above for some really good info on boat attitude. :)
 
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