Trim tabs?

[ctrevis7]

Looking at buying a boat, I was told that if I'm gonna use it in salt water to make sure it has trim tabs or not to get it?
What are they? What do they do?

 

[rallyart]

Re: Trim tabs?

Trim tabs are plates that extend off the back of the transom and flush with the bottom of the hull. Some are fixed and can be adjusted with a turnbuckle by hand. Some are spring loaded so they adjust automatically. Some are mechanically adjustable with hydraulics or electric.
They extend the hull and allow the pitch and roll of the boat to be adjusted for optimum performance. The best are helm adjustable.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Trim tabs?

They also allow for a smoother ride in choppy water. I would guess this is why he said that. It is not necessary, just more enjoyable to have them. If it is a larger boat 24'+ you will probably need hydraulic or electric tabs, adding them is fairly expensive. I can promise you that you will want them if you ever ride in a boat that has them after riding in one that doesn't. In smaller boats automatic ones are cheap and easy to install in most transom configurations.

Odd this says I posted two hours before you started the thread ????????

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Trim tabs?

As someone that has had 20' and up boats with and without trim tabs, I'll never own another boat without them. If you are going to add them yourself, look into InstaTrim and Bennett. Easily installed in a few hours and not too bad on the wallet.

 

[Philster]

Re: Trim tabs?

Where saltwater is found, you generally find 'offshore' or 'offshore-type' conditions.

Someone was trying to tell you that when cruising in rougher water, you can use the tabs to control the attitude of the boat, by moving one or both to control the bow and even keep the boat up against a prevailing side wind.

So, the issue is about hydraulic or electric tabs. In big water subject to tides, prevailing winds, rollers and various forms/sizes of waves, you probably should have manually controlled hydraulic tabs. I guess electric are ok, but heavy work is done by hydraulics.

If you visit Bennet's website (google Bennet trim tabs), you'll see demos on the pros of them.

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[Home Cookin']

Re: Trim tabs?

Looking at buying a boat, I was told that if I'm gonna use it in salt water to make sure it has trim tabs or not to get it?
What are they? What do they do?

In addition to what was said by the others, I wouldn't add them to a boat under 17'. I know some people have them (and the high HP bass/bay boat is different, too) but it's not worth the expense on small boats. Also if you have power trim and tilt you can use that for some of the same function as tabs, again especially on a small boat.

 

[Tafflad]

Re: Trim tabs?

In addition to what was said by the others, I wouldn't add them to a boat under 17'. I know some people have them (and the high HP bass/bay boat is different, too) but it's not worth the expense on small boats. Also if you have power trim and tilt you can use that for some of the same function as tabs, again especially on a small boat.

I can speak from experience ....
I have a Maxum 1800 SR3 (18' hull) ... nice enough boat, but suffered from terrible bow rise when you hit the throttle, made it a pain for towing a skier where you need full power starts.
I fitted SMART TABS http://www.nauticusinc.com/smart_tabs.htm
This made a FUNDAMENTAL improvement to my boat, eliminating all bow rise, improved straight line tracking.
Much reduced planing time ....... far less heave in a beam on sea.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Smart Tabs if your boat suffers from any of these problem.

Less than the cost of a tank of fuel, and a very good investment ..... I also fitted a High Five prop at that time, and have a good fit for purpose boat.