So if Trim Tabs are so great....

[Shawn_floats]

Then why don't the manufacturers put them on right at the factory?

Everything I have read about Trim Tabs make them sound like they are almost a must have. If this is the case, it's hard to believe that none of the manufacturers make them standard on their boats, since they could be manufactured at a very low cost in high volume.

I'm wondering what the manufacturers have to say about them, and why they don't put them on from the start.

Just wonderin'.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

My last two boats had them standard from the factory, a 23' wellcraft walkaround and a 25' parker pilot house.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

they don't want to admit some of them have a planing problem. most boats are ok, it is the use of the boat, that the smart tabs or adjustable trim tabs improve.

 

[Maclin]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

Many do offer them, SmartTabs is OEM on some boats. Manually operated tabs can add complexity to the operation, and if set wrong can be dangerous in some circumstances. If the pilot is only a throttle and wheel person then they could have major problems with the handling of a boat that needed tab inputs from the operator. The manufacturers can only go so far in guessing what kind of ability will be at the wheel, especially in the under 25 foot models they offer.

 

[dingbat]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

Many do offer them, SmartTabs is OEM on some boats. Manually operated tabs can add complexity to the operation, and if set wrong can be dangerous in some circumstances. If the pilot is only a throttle and wheel person then they could have major problems with the handling of a boat that needed tab inputs from the operator. The manufacturers can only go so far in guessing what kind of ability will be at the wheel, especially in the under 25 foot models they offer.

My 11 years old daughter doesn?t have a problem operating the tabs on my boat. Are you saying that most operators don't have the mentality of an 11 years old when it comes to tab operation?

 

[Mark42]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

Then why don't the manufacturers put them on right at the factory?

.

Many boats simply do not need them.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

and there are many operators that don't have the sense of your 11 year old. and have no idea how to handle a boat. all the more reason for boater safety courses.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

Dingbat -- you've been around boats enough to know that what you implied is actually true (some operators not having the mental ability of an 11 year old). Put in another perspective, your 11 year old daughter has obviously had some good training so one might say your daughter has the boat operating capability of someone much older and experienced. 15 minutes around a ramp quickly makes one realize that some folks should be nowhere near a boat -- at least not without supervision. There have been many questions on these forums regarding proper use of the engine trim, not knowing the difference between trim and tilt, etc. If they don't understand that, they certainly will not understand the purpose and use of tabs and can get into trouble with individually adjustable tabs.

 

[dingbat]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

As with anything it?s a cost savings for the budget minded. Why do most manufacturers mount minimal horsepower on their base models knowing full well that the boat will not perform up to its potential?

In my case tabs are not mandatory. I have enough horsepower and I'm propped correctly for the conditions I typically run. I really only ?need? them maybe 60% of the time but they are an invaluable tool if I need them.

 

[45Auto]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

Primary reason is cost savings. A set of tabs is several hundred dollars minimum, and the extra hours of labor to install them will cost the manufacturer a couple of hundred dollars.

Many manufacturers do offer them as an option. On my 2003 22' Crownline they were a $615 option. The 2008 price sheet lists them as a $692 option.

 

[dingbat]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

Dingbat -- you've been around boats enough to know that what you implied is actually true (some operators not having the mental ability of an 11 year old). Put in another perspective, your 11 year old daughter has obviously had some good training so one might say your daughter has the boat operating capability of someone much older and experienced. 15 minutes around a ramp quickly makes one realize that some folks should be nowhere near a boat -- at least not without supervision. There have been many questions on these forums regarding proper use of the engine trim, not knowing the difference between trim and tilt, etc. If they don't understand that, they certainly will not understand the purpose and use of tabs and can get into trouble with individually adjustable tabs.

If these people are so ignorant in the operation of a boat shouldn?t we be lobbying our State officials to get them off the water before they kill someone? Instead we're debating the intelligence required to operate an adjustable tab system

 

[QC]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

Many boats simply do not need them.

Yeah, like tunnels . . . but . . . I personally believe all V-hulls benefit from tabs. I prefer helm adjustable, but I do know a 40+ year old operator who has no business on the water, let alone with helm adjustable tabs, which I do agree can be dangerous in the hands of those lacking the motion/gravity/common sense/mechanical gene . . .

If these people are so ignorant in the operation of a boat shouldn?t we be lobbying our State officials to get them off the water before they kill someone?

NO!!!! Understanding that we will sacrifice some control in regards to safety, but for me boating is one of the last tastes of true freedom, and I want it left alone. Go regulate cell phone usage at gas stations but leave boating alone . . .

 

[Maclin]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

Dingbat,

I am somewhat taken aback by your tone. Manufacturers have to maintain a much broader view of the world than you or I can afford. That is the view I was trying to shed some light on. I saw the question as more like "why are tabs not standard" more than "why are non-nautical people allowed within 50 miles of the coastlines".

 

[Expidia]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

I would agree with the comment that the manufacturers don't offer them as standard in order to save costs. Also just more for them to warranty when things break.

Of course tabs would help most underpowered rigs as to jumping up on plane quicker and would also save fuel.

But from the manufacturer's stand point, I think they would rather see you order a boat with their max HP rating and chances are you wouldn't need to spring for the tabs.

And to offer them OEM . . . Dash controlled tabs are far from cheap!

 

[dingbat]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

Dingbat,

I am somewhat taken aback by your tone. Manufacturers have to maintain a much broader view of the world than you or I can afford. That is the view I was trying to shed some light on. I saw the question as more like "why are tabs not standard" more than "why are non-nautical people allowed within 50 miles of the coastlines

Manually operated tabs can add complexity to the operation

The manufacturers can only go so far in guessing what kind of ability will be at the wheel

I guess I misunderstood your comments. I took them as the general public lacks the competence to run such a ?complex? system. Personally I think it takes no ability to operate tabs than it does to ride a bike but that?s just my opinion. Obviously some disagree.

In hindsight I wonder if that?s why cruise control and power windows are options as well. The number of decapitations by power windows would be staggering. Imagine the number of people that would be killed when they put cruise control on and took a nap.


A wee bit off topic but I?ve got to laugh at your ?broader view of the world than you or I can afford? comment. You would see the humor if you knew what I did for a living.

 

[marine4003]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

I would agree with the comment that the manufacturers don't offer them as standard in order to save costs. Also just more for them to warranty when things break.

Of course tabs would help most underpowered rigs as to jumping up on plane quicker and would also save fuel.

But from the manufacturer's stand point, I think they would rather see you order a boat with their max HP rating and chances are you wouldn't need to spring for the tabs.

And to offer them OEM . . . Dash controlled tabs are far from cheap!

Not necessarily true,both my boats are max HP and then some ( 1500hp 32' scarab) and i still need the tabs to both archive plane faster and adjust ride to accommodate conditions.
The reason for there not being OEM is cost.When you look at the top of the line boats..tabs are standard.

 

[Hitech]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

Probably the biggest problem with "smaller" boats is the manufacture thinks his hull doesn't "need" them. They get on plane fast. That is also the same opinion my buddy has (had, maybe after seeing mine work) with his ranger bass boat. And the truth is they don't "need" them. However, most will benefit significantly with them installed. To the designer of the boat hull this appears to be admitting failure of his design, and they are very reluctant to do that. Going along with that is a case of ?not designed here?. It wasn't their design...

 

[Expidia]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

Not necessarily true,both my boats are max HP and then some ( 1500hp 32' scarab) and i still need the tabs to both archive plane faster and adjust ride to accommodate conditions.

Your comparing a 32 foot Scarab????

I think the Queen Mary had to have dash controlled tabs installed as an after thought cause they couldn't get'er up on plane on her maiden voyage

 

[DRIFTER_016]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

My 11 years old daughter doesn?t have a problem operating the tabs on my boat. Are you saying that most operators don't have the mentality of an 11 years old when it comes to tab operation?

That's exactly what he's saying, and he's correct.

How else would you explain the person who for instance sets their cruise control on their Winneago and goes into the kitchen to make a sandwich while cruising down the interstate????
The stupid thing about this storey is the driver sued Winebago and won!!! Because the manufacturer failed to disclose the fact that cruise control doesn't control the steering.
There is a high percentage of future Darwin award winners out in the world just waiting to kill themselves with stupidity. Thank your lucky stars that your 11 year old has a higher IQ than the US president.

 

[ck85abc3]

Re: So if Trim Tabs are so great....

Lets see, an 11 year old trained in boating for 11 years, or a 30 year old that has never been in a boat.

That would be close, but a 14 year old trained in boating would be able to handle a boats opperation better than a 30 year old that has never been in a boat.