Trim Tab Questions

[LX Kid]

Looking to put some trim tabs on my boat soon and was wondering if I should go with the automatic trim tabs or the ones with switches. Right now l'm leaning towards the automatic "Nauticus Smart Tabs II Series Trim Tabs ST1610-120" for my 1982, 24' Grady White. It weaighs around 5500 lbs when totally fueled up. (I think!) Anyone using these for their boat and have an opinion? Thanks

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Trim Tab Questions

A boat that big and heavy should have adjustable tabs. I have Bennetts on my 25 footer and am quite pleased.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Trim Tab Questions

I love Smart Tabs on my 18', but if I were you, I'd get adjustable for that boat.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Trim Tab Questions

I would go with adjustable if you ever go in big or rough water. Adjustables let you adjust for the best save ride in any condition. Bring the bow down when the water is too rough to run at planning speeds will make your ride safer, more enjoyable, and get more miles per gallon.

However in a big fallowing Sea you want no trim at all.
If your just a inland river and small lakes boater then almost all will get the bow down faster and get you on plane faster.

I have 1981 Benett hydralic 24 wide by 12 deep on my 21 foot boat and it is the best thing I have done for my boat.

I can adjust for the best safe dry ride in seconds in any condition on any day.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Trim Tab Questions

You need to go with the hydraulic trim tabs--Bennett or equivalent--on such a fine hull as a Grady White. They start under $500, and are the best addition you can make to any full hulled boat. They're very easy to install--even for an amateur mechanic.

Drop the tabs before you start off, and it'll accelerate like it's got 50 hp more--and then raise the tabs after it's planed off..
You can plane your boat off at maybe 10 mph to run a slow cruise.
You can level the boat up if you get too much weight on one side.
When you come up to a big wave, you can tuck the nose down to plow through it--and raise the nose back up after you go through it. Rides like it's 4' longer.

 

[user64]

Re: Trim Tab Questions

Go to Bennett's website for tons of info and get the BIGGEST tab's that will fit your boat. Info on the site will tell you how to measure for determining how big you can go.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Trim Tab Questions

I would also get controls with position indicators (indicate the trim tab position). My tabs do not have these and I wish they did.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Trim Tab Questions

I wouldn?t put anything but adjustable on that hull.

That hull has plenty of lift coming out of the hole unless you have an underpowered I/O. Tabs on that boat are mostly used to balance out the load and to push the bow down to help smooth out the ride. Under normal conditions, you'll find you run better w/o tab in the water. A 4 blade prop will help that boat a lot as well.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: Trim Tab Questions

I wouldn?t put anything but adjustable on that hull.

That hull has plenty of lift coming out of the hole unless you have an underpowered I/O. Tabs on that boat are mostly used to balance out the load and to push the bow down to help smooth out the ride. Under normal conditions, you'll find you run better w/o tab in the water. A 4 blade prop will help that boat a lot as well.

This is the Ballistic 3-blade prop that came with the boat. Don't really know much about props and what would be the best for me. Most of my boating has been in-shore fishing. Has 305 V8 motor.