Will Trim Tabs Help?

[MPKehoe09]

Recently purchased a 1998 Aquasport 175 Osprey Center console. The hull is a single V, with a 115hp 2 stroke outboard with SS Laser Prop.

After purchasing the boat I took it out for a test run, and noticed the boat was listing to the port side. I looked in all storage compartments, and all my weight was evenly distributed. My battery is in the center console, and my portable fuel cell was centered as well.

I then remembered that the previous owner had a 15hp kicker outboard on the starboard side, and noticed that the trim anode, beneath the anti-cavitation plate was rotated about 30-45 degrees. I had figured this this was done to offset the weight of the additional 15hp outboard, so I straightened the trim anode.

The boat no longer lists to one side, however it now pulls to the starboard side. It doesn't hold a straight heading due to the torque of the motor.

To get the boat to maintain a straight heading, I need to keep the trim anode rotated that 30-45 degrees, which causes the boat to list or lean to one side.

If I were to install the self-leveling trim tabs, will this help resolve this listing issue? I do not have the budget, nor desire to put $600 actuator/hydraulic trim tabs on a 20yr old boat.

Thanks for any feedback.

- Mike

 

[Alumarine]

If you install smart tabs you should be able to get rid of the list.
Iboats sometimes has blemished ones for a discount.

http://www.iboats.com/Nauticus-SX-S...5895223--session_id.107709599--view_id.352485

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, you should not need to turn the trim tab very much to offset the torque of the motor. Is the motor mounted straight? Is the skeg straight?

 

[fhhuber]

The trim tab under the anti-cav plate should be maybe as much as 5 deg (which is actually a lot) off center... not 35.

Something else is going on. Trim tabs would be trying to cure the symptoms without solving the real issue.

 

[southkogs]

Can you put some weight where the kicker was and run the boat with the ballast there? My thought is if the weight of the kicker was offsetting the trim tab, some weight in place should solve the issue. If you still have the issue with the ballast in place, then you've got something else going on ... which is my suspicion too.

Tabs can surely help you out ... and you may like having 'em either way. I just like to solve the issue when I run across 'em.

 

[steelespike]

What is the wot rpm and gps speed?Prop pitch?Usually found under the prop nut.
Is that a deep V? They sometimes lean, especially from prop torque.
Try backing off the trim tab some.Try trimming the motor down or up slightly.
Passive tabs could help, apply just enough setting so it barely helps.
Too much tabs will cause poor handling and performance.

 

[Cat nip]

You could use a no feedback helm. That will lock out the torque steer.