Trim Tabs On Inboard Boat

[biloxiriver]

Are there any pros/cons to installing trim tabs on an inboard boat? I have a 21' Tigercraft CC with a 302 inboard. It is a tunnel drive boat (meaning the prop is up inside of a tunnel, and does not hang but a couple of inches below the keel). What do ya'll think?

 

[KSorber]

Re: Trim Tabs On Inboard Boat

I had a 34' searay with the tunnel drives and trim tabs. Although it was a much heavier boat the trim tabs were a must. It was a totally different boat (for the better) when using the trim tabs. I am a huge fan of the trim tabs, but disliked the tunnel drive immensely. <br /><br />I had an acquaintance with a single screw that had something in his steering system blow up about 10 miles offshore. He actually made the trip back to the dock steering with the trim tabs.

 

[DJ]

Re: Trim Tabs On Inboard Boat

A must on a true inboard, since you do not have an outdrive or outboard to assist with trim.

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: Trim Tabs On Inboard Boat

Thanks for the quick response. I think I will look into putting some on.

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: Trim Tabs On Inboard Boat

Oh yeah, any thoughts on the best type for this application??

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Trim Tabs On Inboard Boat

Hey Bud... I want to get that bow down a little too, and gain a little fuel economy, I hope... <br /><br /> I'm going to run with the electric Lenco's... At least 12" X 12" tabs, or maybe bigger but our Tiger's transom space is kind of funky, huh?..<br /><br />I like the Bennet tabs better and would run Bennet tabs but in the "re-enginering" of my boat empty space is now at an all time premium so I have litteraly nowhere to install the pump.. It's either two batterys, or one battery and a trim pump.. Hummm, think I'll take the batterys..<br /><br />Sorry Tabman

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: Trim Tabs On Inboard Boat

Yeh, space is sad at the back of mine too. But I do have some space. The transom issue is a point of concern; have to build in some additional support to attach too. Hmm!! Sounds like this might turn into a winter project.

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: Trim Tabs On Inboard Boat

Hey KSorber, what were some of the negatives you developed about the tunnel drive? Did it give you some problems??

 

[DJW]

Re: Trim Tabs On Inboard Boat

I have the Lenco trim tabs and like them. They move much quicker then the Bennetts. I also had a boat with Mercury K-Planes. These are the best but quite expensive compared to Bennett or Lenco.

 

[KSorber]

Re: Trim Tabs On Inboard Boat

The main problem I had with the tunnel drive (and I have heard this from others) is getting the props to “bite” at low RPM. The tunnel drive was on a 34’ searay, and I have since moved to a 38’ Luhrs. I can maneuver around the docks so much better with the bigger boat, than I could with the searay. I have yet to touch the throttles with the Luhrs when docking even though I have to spin the boat in an area where I have less than 10’ of clearance. The only way to maneuver the searay was to kick the throttles up (especially on the engine going astern). When you are trying to dock in a really tight spot the boating lurching fore and aft is huge pain. The tunnel drive is supposed to give you more fuel efficiency, but I’ll trade a few bucks for a boat I can dock in a tight space without it being a chore.

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: Trim Tabs On Inboard Boat

Thanks for the response. That sounds like a legit issue. You do have to give it some gas to manuever in reverse but I have heard, no experience with it myself, that that is a general issue with any true inboard and you have to use the prop torque to assist with manuevering. The only time I have had to manuever in a tight locatin is at a public fueling dock. Thanks for the discussion.