I installed my natucus sx trim tabs last week on my boat and wanted to give a quick report on their function this weekend. My boat is a 1996 stingray 20 bowrider with a 4.3 mercruiser and a 4 blade 20 pitch al prop. I had a SE sport 300 hydrofoil on it before and never actually had it off since it came that way. It ran decent before but had a little unstability at high speed. Installed the recommend tabs for my boat (9x10.5" I think and 60 lb actuators) with the tabs set in the middle setting. I was prepared for a little better performance and have to admit, I was pleasently supprised. Plane out is almost instant (not that it was terrible before) and I was able to hold plane down to 15-16 where 18-20 before was all I could do. The REAL comparision, however, came from the guy docked next to us this weekend had a 97 stingray 190 with the same engine. Pretty much a direct comparision with my thought that he should get up a little quicker since it's a slightly smaller boat with the same power. We drove both back to back with the same load of kids (swithched them out) and the same tube. His had a 3 blade higher pitched prop and no tabs or foil. 9-11 second plane out with the tube in tow and 4 kidos on it. Really nose high and real strained and could only maintain 22 or so without falling off of plane. Mine did -3-5 second to plane out and maybe a 5-10 degree bow rise vs 20 degree. He and I were really amazed at the difference. So while I have been reading all the posts on foils vs tabs with a grain of salt, I have to say I am IMPRESSED. To Mr. Nauticus guy here who sometimes chimes in..... Good Job and I believe my dockmate will be placing an order this week.... Do I get a commission????? If you are on the fence, get the tabs... best $115 ever spent on the boat and talk about bang for the buck.
