Trim Tabs??

[JasonB]

Re: Trim Tabs??

Tom, is it possible to actually completely crash, flip, or sink one? I love a challenge but geeze...<br /><br />That being said, I have a set of Smart Tabs on my 19' sterndrive. They were money well spent on my stern heavy boat.. It used to wallow in turns and lean easily. Now I can turn like it is on rails and the leaning is slightly better. The reason I went with the smart tabs was based on price/performance for what I needed. The powered tabs like Bennett, Lenco, etc would have been nice, but my budget didn't allow for them. If my boat were larger, it would have possibly been a different story. I can vouche for the service I recieved from John. I called and he steered me toward a different set than I had picked out and it appears he was right on. The ones I was looking at would have been too much. I also use a doel fin on my 15'boat. I would not hesitate to buy the Bennets or the S,art Tabs depending on the app and budget. I believe both would be great on smaller boats while the bennets gain a definite edge over 20something'. As an better alternative to doel-fins on boats that need more, the Smart Tabs are great.<br /><br />

<br /><br />At least this one looks sunk/flipped. The underwater view I didn't catch a screenshot of was interesting.<br /><br />

<br />Sorry, back to the serious discussion.

 

[Tabman]

Re: Trim Tabs??

JasonB,<br /><br />Outstanding! Send your address to me at Tmcgow@bennetttrimtabs.com and I will send you two hats <br /><br />Tom<br />Bennett Marine

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Trim Tabs??

Awesome ...<br /><br />That's three boats sunk with Bennetts in a coupla days!<br /><br />And I've been trying for weeks!<br /><br />I don't deserve a hat.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Trim Tabs??

Stillfishing, the Cigarette is the easy one. The Bennett boat is tougher. I actually had the cigarette looking like it was underwater, but I couldn't do the screen grab on my laptop's keyboard fast enough.<br /><br />This is how the Smarts look on my 19' Glastron:<br /><br />

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Trim Tabs??

JasonB<br /><br />What happens to the port tab when the swim ladder drops down? It looks like it'll foul.<br /><br />And what's with the 'I love the smell of 2 stroke in the morning.' ? That's not a 2 stroke you have there. Or are you referring to the lawnmower?<br /><br />Congrats on sinking a boat!<br />Ciao.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Trim Tabs??

Good eye on the ladder/tab clearance. Had the tab been 1-2" shorter, it would have worked, but this is actually an in-progress pic. I installed the tabs knowing tat the ladder would hit them, but that was ok since a few weeks after I took that pic, I cut the ladder off just a bit below the top step and installed a full width swim platform. Solved that problem.<br /><br />As for the 2 stroke, the boat in the pic usually doesn't see the water until after lunch as it relegated to ski/cruise use, and you are correct, it is pure 4stroke in the way of a Ford 302 V8. The 2stroke line referrs to my other boat. I also have an old 15' Glastron Tri-Hull (same year as the 19' Glastron -1976- by the way) that is powered by an 85hp V4 Johnson 2stroke that I go fishing in. Nothing like the smell of 2 stroke in the morning to start a fishing trip.

 

[jada1093]

Re: Trim Tabs??

First day here and learned a bunch all ready. Great forum! Question: Differences between all discussed trim tabs and hydrofoils? Have a 1988 Thompson 18' 120hp Mercruiser I/O, used for skiing, some fishing and general boating on inland waterways of Ontario, Can. Interested in quicker planing (at slower speeds for newbie skiers) and better slow speed manuverability (sp?) Also have ski ladder as in JasonB's pic. Would prefer to keep. Appreciate any responses

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Trim Tabs??

Hi jada,<br /><br />Plenty of info on this in previous posts - try the red 'search' button up top.<br /><br />Bottom line: props work better all round when they're 'square' to the water surface. With any type of good trim tab you can set your prop up like this. With a foil on your anti-cavitation plate you can't do this so easily.<br /><br />Agree - great forum.<br /><br />Ciao

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Trim Tabs??

jada, look at this thread about 'foils:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=009540

 

[jada1093]

Re: Trim Tabs??

Thanks guys. Lots of info to digest. Will continue to research 'till Spring, but suspect there is no single "correct" solution to my problem. Seems to be pros and cons to both approaches, probably comes down to price vs. performance. Have several months for further study. Thanks again.<br />P.S. How does one get "rank" here? Is there a test?

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Trim Tabs??

You have to stay under water for fifteen minutes while drinking a pint of beer and eating a hot dog.<br /><br />Pass the test, and you go straight to the top!<br /><br />Ciao

 

[BillP]

Re: Trim Tabs??

Jason,<br />I really want one of those hats...How did you capture the similator frame so you can post here?<br /><br />Bill

 

[jmeydenbauer]

Re: Trim Tabs??

I already have Bennett trim tabs ... can I get a hat too?<br /><br />

 

[reference123]

Re: Trim Tabs??

I have an 18 foot open ski boat with smart tabs and I have been very happy with the change they made. I would not hesitate to add them to another boat. We also recently purchased a 24 foot deckboat that I find lists based on where people sit so am interested in the bennett (or similar tabs) based on the fact the smart tabs wont work for this issue. How well does the atc work and how quickly does it correct for changes in chop, etc?

 

[AntsGrady]

Re: Trim Tabs??

Well I put my boat in yesterday and tried out the new Trim Tabs. Very cool. She got up on plain very easy. Didn't get to play to much as it was very windy and the rain was rollin in but I've got a warm fuzzy feelin!!!

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trim Tabs??

AntsGrady;<br /><br />What Tabs brand did you use. Glad to here you are happy, no matter what type.<br /><br />Reference;<br /><br />As a matter of information, we are now making tabs for boats up to 30 ft. and 8500 lbs. The issue as we see it regarding port to starboard stability and correction of lists is that there are two issues to concider. First, if the boat is in a listing condition, there is no question that helm controlled tabs can be more effective. One tab can be fully deployed while leaving the other retracted.<br /><br />BUT, the other side of the coin is keeping this list from becoming severe by constant and active corrections. Something like a fire prevention system! You don't need the fire truck hoses if the sprinklers system takes care of the fire before it is ablaze.<br /><br />No matter what it comes down to personal choice.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Trim Tabs??

Can't wait to try out my tabs I just installed on my old 1974 Cobalt. Had to drill a hole through the bottom swim step, but it worked out slick.

 

[AntsGrady]

Re: Trim Tabs??

nautiJohn:<br />I ended up going with the Lenco Edge Mounts. Was playing with them some more yesterday. It's incredible what they do to the boat. With 4 people on the boat I was able to straighten her right out. Leaning to one side was an issue before. Getting up on plain couldn't be easier and I was able to adjust to the chop and bring the starboard side up so there would be no spray. Very happy and can't see a boat not having tabs of some sort. Thanks again guys for all your input.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trim Tabs??

AntsGrady;<br /><br />I am pleased that you are happy and finding the benefits of Trim Tabs. It is truely unfortunate that the small boat manufacturers and their dealers refuse to admit that tabs are not only usefull but a significant advantage. I can't tell you how many times I have heard a dealer or manufacturer say one of two things, "if you need trim tabs there is something wrong with the hull", or "our boats don't need trim tabs because our hull is better".