Re: Trim Tabs
Mollyog74;<br /><br />There are many new hull designs which are aimed at improving the ride, handling, planing ability etc. of small boats. Some are good, some miss the mark. However, all of this work points out that something needs to be done. The question is why? <br /><br />Just about every boat 26 feet and up has trim tabs for a number of reasons. 1) the power to weight ratio is less than the 18 ft boat with a 220 I/O so it is a bit harder to plane. 2) the boat attitude port to starboard needs control because it is wider. etc.<br /><br />The fact is that smaller boats have the same handling issues. Yes they have enough HP to plane when given agressive throttle, but even then other issues such as porpoising, chine walk, listing, etc. occur. Not to mention thhe poor performance when trying to pull a tube or skier.<br /><br />Why do small boat manufacturers focus on special hull designes, or simply say "our boats don't need trim tabs"? Why do boaters continually change props to find the best pitch / performance for their activity. Why do people buy Hydrofoils?<br />Or Smart Tabs?<br /><br />Because these boats need something more regardless of what the boat salesman says. <br /><br />Understand that we are not talking about the MasterCrafts or pro ski boats where the engine is in the center of the boat. We are talking about the millions of small boats which a stern heavy because the engine is in the back.<br /><br />The fact is that when the hull is fixed ( rigid ) regardless of the design, it's ability to perform effectively under all of the different conditions is limited. <br /><br />When trim tabs are added to the hull, they become an extention of the hull. They also allow the hull to change design (configuration) to suit the changing conditions ( speed, water, load, etc.).<br />Any rigid hull will have it's limitations, some more some less.<br /><br />Why then don't manufacturers put trim tabs on smaller boats? <br /><br />1) the cost of helm controlled (traditional) tabs is high when compared to the cost of the boat.<br />2) this is more importanr - Safety - Small fast light boats will react very quickly to any minor change in tabs possition. It can be a liability issue in the hand of an boater not familiar with tabs, or the 7 year old who is helping Dad drive the boat. (Smart Tabs are self adjsuting, automatic, and designed for the smaller boats.)<br /><br />Your boat will accomodate tabs and you are welcome to call me if you would like some advise as to where to mount them.
