Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

[John2037]

Hey guys, everyone says that ss props are more efficient and trim tabs make your boat more efficient, if you had to choose one what would you say? I have a really good deal on the trim tabs so to me its a very close cost.

I have a fresh 3.0 Volvo penta with Cobra SX od that has a hydrofoil installed. I was thinking of removing the hydrofoil and installing some bennet m80 trim tabs or leaving the hydrofoil and getting a ss prob..... hmmm choices

98 Regal LSC 1950

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

My vote........trim tabs! You will be ahead in the long run.

 

[batman99]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

I would remove the hydrofoil - that is a single lift point (on the motor) and it puts pressure on the transom. Read many times that hydrofoils are a bad thing. If wondering, tabs create 2 lift points and lift the entire back of the boat (instead of stress lifting the transom).

the bennet m80 trim tabs seem to sell for around $400ish. Very expensive product.

Instead of bennet m80, suggest investigating NAUTICUS SX Smart tabs - for $150ish. They come in 60 or 80 (depending on boat length) and are a "install it / leave it" product. For more details, surf: Smart Tabs SX Trim Tabs

SS props are very expensive and are often used in deep water. Aluminim are lower cost and often used for shallow or "unknown depth" water. If aluminum catches, it breaks - instead of breaking the lower end. SS props are very strong and can break lower end - if caught in shallow water. For me, I only run aluminum props - especally since I can buy 2 x aluminum for the price of 1 x SS prop.

Also... Do investigate 4-blade prop design. My boat has Nauticusinc SX Smart tabs and a 4-bade aluminum prop. Both items get boat faster to plane. And, are well worth their investment. - for my "most often" under 2/3 throttle and tubing conditions.

Instead of SS prop, suggest investigating 4 blade aluminum prop instead. See if your local boat parts dealer will allow you to borrow a 4-blade prop. Give it a try and buy or return. When going with 4-blade prop, remember to go lower pitch (compared to 3-blade prop) - since 4 blade dig in much better. And with power trim and 4-blade, one lifts the boat's rear as well.

Update: For more info on SX Smart tabs, surf: http://forums.iboats.com/boat-topic...s/sx-st-smart-tabs-recomondations-295883.html

Hope this helps...

 

[Grandad]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

I'd go for the Smart tabs over the SS prop. The aluminum prop may save your lower unit. I don't have them yet, but that's where I plan to place my bet. - Grandad

 

[twebb]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

Go with the trim tabs. Just put the smart tabs sx 60 on my boat and WOW what a differents.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

Hey guys, everyone says that ss props are more efficient and trim tabs make your boat more efficient, if you had to choose one what would you say? I have a really good deal on the trim tabs so to me its a very close cost.

I have a fresh 3.0 Volvo penta with Cobra SX od that has a hydrofoil installed. I was thinking of removing the hydrofoil and installing some bennet m80 trim tabs or leaving the hydrofoil and getting a ss prob..... hmmm choices

98 Regal LSC 1950

Is there a performance deficiency that you are trying to correct(slow to plane?). What brand of "hydrofoil" are you using? Some are better than others. The right one would help the planing issue as well as improve the overall handling of the boat.

What size 3 blade(?)prop are you running now? A 4 blade prop helps a lot with planing issues as well as improving mid range cruising efficiency.

I would suggest the combination of a "good" hydrofoil and a 4 blade prop to get your boat up on plane quickly and improve the performance with the somewhat under powered 3.0L package.

 

[John2037]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

Great info - Thanks so much - I have looked at the smart tabs, but I had this "you get what you pay for" saying that kept me from getting them.... With a few people here promoting them maybe they're not a bad idea - Thanks batman, I will check that link.

When it's just me on the boat, I LOVE it, planes out instantly, but leans of course - problem is with the whole family, cooler and gear makes it a little less impressive, but what can you expect from a 3.0.... I do pull a tube, sometimes, but really enjoy cruising the intercoastal.

Question about the 4 blade - With a small 4 banger I did not think I had the torque for a 4 blade prop - am I wrong?

Question about the smart tab - does anyone have any bad to say about them?

 

[batman99]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

John2037 [OP]

As a suggestion, simply use Google search and enter "SX Smart Tab review". Vast majority of folks love them. Especially with their "install it and leave it" design. And, their ability to balance lift the boat's rear - compared to single point lift (of the transom stress lift) with motor mounted fins… If wondering, I was so impressed with SX Smart Tabs review contents (from many different boating forums), I bought them for my boat… And, glad I did.

Also use Google search for "smart tab vs fin" info gathering as well. Majority of folks don't like motor fins (when compared to SX Smart tabs)…

Hope this helps as well…

 

[batman99]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

For Penta 3.0 Aluminum 3-B and 4-B in 17" pitch props, surf:

17” Pitch Volvo Penta Sterndrive Boat Propellers SX 3.0L 1994 & Newer Any HP - iboats

Note: Simply change settings to find other pitch props.

As suggested, it might be best to "borrow" different blade and different pitch props from your local boat dealer. Then, decide if that pop works best on your unique configuration and driving behaviour. Then, shop around - to buy less costly prop (of the specs that works for you).

 

[lexer440]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

SS props are very expensive and are often used in deep water. Aluminim are lower cost and often used for shallow or "unknown depth" water. If aluminum catches, it breaks - instead of breaking the lower end. SS props are very strong and can break lower end - if caught in shallow water. For me, I only run aluminum props - especally since I can buy 2 x aluminum for the price of 1 x SS prop.

If a prop hits an underwater object the breakaway hub will save OD. Same applies to both props, no difference.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

Question about the 4 blade - With a small 4 banger I did not think I had the torque for a 4 blade prop - am I wrong?

The 4 blade prop performs the same compared to the 3 blade; regardless of engine size.

When selecting a 4 blade prop, it's recommended to drop an inch of pitch from whatever you're using in a 3 blade.

You don't need to spend big bucks on a SS prop. The Solas 4 blade aluminum props perform as well.

If you are going to install tabs, put on the type(Bennett) that you can control.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

Yeah, smart tabs are very nice and work well but, if you want the best boat attitude control and can afford it the tabs that you control yourself are best. Bennet is the premier manufacturer for those and they are fun to play with to. Though the smart tabs are great for most normal running the bennets work much better for leveling things up when running into a quartering wind and wave situation.JMHO

 

[John2037]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

^ I agree, I am leaning towards the bennets because I like being able to adjust if the boats leaning. I like the price of the smart tabs but most of my time boating is with family visiting and being able to just fix the weight right without assigned seating sounds nice to me. I do want to head offshore so I think the bennets will help there too.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

put on the bennett sport tabs and search craigslist for a good used ss prop. for my 19' boat, I went with the 120 sport tabs. would never look back.

and you can not do better than bennett's customer service.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

I put Bennett hydraulic trim tabs on my 17' I/O, and it was the best money I ever spent--$400.

When we're out sightseeing, I can plane the boat off @ a pleasant 8-10 mph. When two fat women sit on one side of the boat, I can easily level the boat. It pulls skiers out of the water like it's got 40 hp more, since the nose doesn't lift at all--immediately planing off. I trim the power trim up until it rocks, and then tap the trim switches and it rides like it's 3' longer. When I come up on a big wave, I can drop the nose down to cut thru the wave--and raise it back up in a second. These are all things that SmartTabs cannot do.

And trim tabs are very easy to install--1 hour job. You don't even have to be a mechanic to put them in.

As far as I'm concerned, any full hulled planing hull boat should have hydraulic trim tabs standard. And forget a 4 blade prop on a boat with a 3.0 engine. They're best equipped on a boat that's very overpowered--like a bass boat. Trim tabs are very helpful on a boat with marginal horsepower.

 

[John2037]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

When two fat women sit on one side of the boat.....LMAO

For now I'm going to stick with the 3 blade aluminum - originally I had thought the ss prop did much more. I am still on the fence about the smart vs hydo tabs - I can't recall much leaning (boat wasn't used much this year due to severe engine issues) and I have quite a list of repairs and upgrades for the winter that the $$$ could go towards. On the other hand I feel the hydros are the right path just pricey.... I could end up going mad after this

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Xmas upgrade - what do you think trim tabs or a ss prop

Take the hdro foil off, you drive was not designed to have that additional pressure put on it nor are they efficent. Tab's make quite a difference in a boat far more then any prop you can buy. Id suggest tab's first and a prop only if you are not within the normal operateing rpm range....Some opinion huh ..... Nuati's stainless tabs are just a pretty as a SS..