Re: Plane question
I knew I would get some flack!<br /><br />Please understand that I am not saying that this fellow doesn't need to set the boat up correctly. However, the most common cure-all for performance issues with boats under 22 feet has been to burden the propulsion system with additional tasks. <br /><br />Let me throw out a few things regarding why Manufacturers don't put trim tabs on smaller boats. <br /><br />Let's first look at what trim tabs do! They are simply an extension of the hull that can be adjusted. The adjustment allows the hull design and shape to change in concert with the changing conditions - such as speed, load, balance, water conditions and currents. <br /><br />If you look at larger boats (28 ft and up) nearly all of them have trim tabs. Why? Certainly not because of a bad hull design. Reasons:<br />1) The power to weight ration for a 30 ft boat is about half that of a typical 19 ft open bow. Getting the boat up may be a problem, if not impossible without tabs.<br />2) The weight and draft of the typical 30 ft boat precludes it from violent reaction if the tabs are misused (i.e.: putting one up and one down by mistake when cruising). The boat will list badly, and turn into the direction of the deployed tabs but it will not become a catastrophic event.<br />3) longer boats are generally wider, and port to starboard attitude is harder to control. Shifting weight is not effective. <br /><br />Here is something to think about -<br />Why then are tabs not used on smaller boats?<br />1) Power to weight ratio is high enough to make the boat plane without tabs,<br />2) Traditionally (Hydraulic tabs) the cost relationship has been too high. $500 to $700 on a $18,000. boat is high, but on a $50,000 boat it is less significant.<br />3) Just about every design engineer with every boat manufacturer I have talked to admits to this next statement. <br />Helm controlled trim tabs on small, light, fast boats are a liability issue. Drop one trim tab as little as 1 inch at 40 MPH, and you have a potential catastrophe. The liability to the boat manufacturer is enormous. <br />4) The use of these smaller boats is far different. They are not "Destination" boat like the larger crafts. They are sport boats. They seldom run in the same direction for an hour like the larger cousins, it is more like minutes. Each change indirection would likely dictate a change in tab adjustment depending on wind and seas. The operator also has much more to deal with such as pulling skiers. In any event helm controlled tabs are generally not appropriate for these boats.<br />5) Boat design is an issue that has developed over the years.<br />In the early days boat manufacturers designed boat differently, with flatter bottoms (planed easier than the v hulls), moved the steering forward of mid-ship for balance. They were not as fast, pounded more in heavy seas, afforded less usable space.<br /><br />Today we have bigger heavier engines, Deep V hull designs, and different cockpit configurations. The boat balance has given way to style and enhancements.<br /><br />Safety first!<br />The manufactures choose to add "trim" to the motors in order to use the prop to help the stern heavy boat get on plane because it is safe. This then focuses the total performance of the boat on the engine and the prop. <br /><br />The anti-ventalation plate is to create similar density (water pressure) for the prop at or near water surface as it has on the bottom. <br /><br />Afishin69 needs to get his set up correct, but with the Smart Tabs his dependency on the prop for getting on plane, eliminating porpoising, etc. will be far less, and he then can choose a prop that provides the very best performance and economy.<br /><br />Don't kid yourself, the reason manufacturers are not installing trim tabs on small boats is due to cost, and safety. The ones that have tested Smart Tabs are using them to either appease disgruntled consumers, or actually rigging the boats with them. <br /><br />Every user report and post on the performance enhancements, and handling improvement on Smart Tabs has been positive. <br /><br />By the way, 80 years ago we had a horse and buggy with flat leaf springs for suspension. Today we have the horseless carriage with McPherson struts. <br /><br />Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read, respond, and tolerate my opinions. We don't need to agree!
