Speed increase from trim tabs?

[rfdfirecaptain]

Re: Speed increase from trim tabs?

Just curious... In consideration of the tops end speeds you quote... why are you concerned about a possible fluctuation of 2 mph at WOT? If you're skiing that fast I wanna watch that brief show. IMOP I would be more concerned about the safety your vessel gains by having better control at the helm. If you engage the tabs and lose 2 mph I think it's worth it in your case. That said as previously posted there are times when I plane off and see up to a 1.5 mph gain by decreasing the angle of departure on my tabs. This is particularly noticeable when I am loaded with people and fishing gear... Heavy in the stern. I set my tab at full extension trim al the way down. Accelerate at full throttle ... backing off around 3600 rpm. I hit plane in about 3-4 seconds depending on weight. Then i trim up the out drive slightly and then the last thing I do is decrease the angle of my tabs. This order of adjustments is what works best for me. In time you'll figure out what's best for you too.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Speed increase from trim tabs?

Ditto that. My very stern heavy 21' Pro-Line responded nicely to both. Mount the tabs and consider a 4-blade if you want a little 'extra help'

And not just any old prop. You want a prop designed to provide stern lift.

I changed an aluminum merc prop to a Stiletto and the "snap" I wanted out of the hole was there.

I have a Renegade offshore 4 blade prop and Bennetts on my current boat. I have more "snap" than I need. When I say "hold on" as we pass the day marker, I mean it.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Speed increase from trim tabs?

That's an older indicator that we have not made in about 5-7 years. Can you tell me the dimensions of the Trim Tabs?

Glad to see you back on the Forums, Tabman.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Speed increase from trim tabs?

Glad to see you back on the Forums, Tabman.

Seconded. :happy:

 

[mippel]

Re: Speed increase from trim tabs?

Seconded. :happy:

Thirded (is that a word)

 

[500dollar744ti]

Re: Speed increase from trim tabs?

Well here are the tabs, I have installed them as far out from the center line as I could without invading space on the other side of the transom I can't access.

It was extremely tedious and messy, marine epoxy and 5200 are a pain to work with. I haven't installed the hydraulics or wiring, I just got them bolted on. I know that's the hard part so I wanted to do it first.

 

[500dollar744ti]

Re: Speed increase from trim tabs?

Took it out Saturday, LOVE the tabs, boat hops right up on plane now even with the whale tail removed.

I still got my 50mph top speed so I'm quite happy.

It's amazing how all the Bennett stuff just worked even though it had been sitting in a barn for over a year and had been on another boat for some time before that.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Speed increase from trim tabs?

So, no speed increase from the tabs? Glad it has worked out for getting the boat up on plane.