Trim tabs on 18' achilles SU?

AKBronco2 · 28 August 2012, 20:04

Anyone run them on a larger inflatable? I need some for mine and not sure what to go with.

Locozodiac · 29 August 2012, 02:03

How about placing a proper engine size doel fin instead ?

Happy Sibbing

AKBronco2 · 29 August 2012, 02:44

I can't. The doelfin already cracked my anti cavitation plate. I will never run one again.

scrowe1976 · 29 August 2012, 11:17

easier to make your own.

2 stainless piano hinge (bout 6")
2 marine alloy plates cut to size
2 stainless rigging turnbuckles
4 U clips and apropriate nuts 'n bolts

you can adjust the to your hearts content then.

smitty477 · 29 August 2012, 12:08

I run smart tabs on my RIB and they have worked great on a number of boats around here as they are a great company to work with. They are pretty cheap and come in various sizes as well as being easy to use - search 'nauticus smart tabs' and see what you come up with. Currently have the SX series on ours and bought them through I-Boats.

Hope this helps

kelson · 29 August 2012, 16:22

My boat is only 14ft long, but I really like my Smart Tabs. The advantage over the home made version is the automatic actuator. I don't have to adjust the tabs while under way. They are down all the way when starting and they move up as the boat planes and gathers speed. Combined with proper weight distribution the tabs work great.

Doel fins either require a lot of trim adjustment or you end up with the outboard in a setting that is good for starts and not so great for at speed running. I got tired of constantly changing my trim or paying the performance penalty. Those fins also catch kelp like mad! My Doel fin is languishing in the spare parts box and I don't miss it.

AKBronco2 · 29 August 2012, 18:23

Thanks guys. I'm gonna look at the smart tabs. Trying to figure out a way to work them around my elephant trunk. How do I decide which ones I need size wise?

AKBronco2 · 29 August 2012, 22:25

Gonna give smart tabs a try. Ordering tonight.

kelson · 30 August 2012, 15:47

Be sure to post up some photos of your install and let us know if the tabs worked well for you.

AKBronco2 · 31 August 2012, 05:16

Ordered them. Will be here on the 6th. Hoping it helps with my bowrise issues. I can't wait to get them on and head back out.

kelson · 02 September 2012, 17:41

You may still find the need to distribute some weight in the boat. There is a limit to what the tabs can overcome. That also depends on how you use the boat. I tow wakeboarders and foilers so the bowrise on full throttle starts needs to be reasonable. But I really notice it immediately when I forget to lower my tabs and apply power! Have fun.

AKBronco2 · 04 September 2012, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelson

You may still find the need to distribute some weight in the boat. There is a limit to what the tabs can overcome. That also depends on how you use the boat. I tow wakeboarders and foilers so the bowrise on full throttle starts needs to be reasonable. But I really notice it immediately when I forget to lower my tabs and apply power! Have fun.

Weight distribution is fine. Majority of my weight is past centerline of boat. I use it for fishing and hunting.

jyasaki · 04 September 2012, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelson

I tow wakeboarders and foilers so the bowrise on full throttle starts needs to be reasonable.

Foilers???

jky

Peter_C · 04 September 2012, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Foilers???

jky

"Hydrofoilers". Sky Ski is the common name people hear, although it is a brand name.

Below is one of our local boys I have hung out with, named Damon, who is a team rider for Sky Ski. He has or had a house on the Napa River, as it has been a couple years since I have ridden.

Damon Moore on Shasta - YouTube

kelson · 05 September 2012, 15:47

Ha! I am no where near as good as Damon. Way more crashing.

jyasaki · 08 September 2012, 16:47

Ah. Okay; I've seen those before; never knew what they were called (and no, not a chance in hell I'd try that.)

jky

kelson · 09 September 2012, 06:22

jky,

Oh yeah, you should try this foiling thing. It is soooo much fun. I was inverted over El Capitan lake yesterday. What could be better than checking out the world from upside down and watching your shadow skip across the water as you fall toward the surface. I often see older riders out just cruising, it is way easier than wakeboarding or skiing. When you aren't on a cut the line dips between the boat and rider. But going big is always a temptation!

Oh yeah, we are running a little faster than you would with a wakeboarder. I'm foiling at 22 mph. My zodiac doesn't want to go fast enough for single skiers with a full load, my skiers like 32+ mph. Wakeboarders average 16 - 18 so that is easy.

I most generally ride behind ski boats with towers, but the Futura with a short pole is a lot of fun. Foiling definitely made me get on distributing my weight and installing tabs. If a low profile Nautique would go fishing offshore and round the point in big surf I would own one. My friends make fun of my inflatable . Ha.

Hope to see what AKBronco has going on with his boat.

Peter_C · 10 September 2012, 07:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelson

Wakeboarders average 16 - 18 so that is easy.

Ummm...no, try 24.2 mph by GPS behind a Super Air Team Edition. I used an 80ft line, but if the boat was packed with people and ballast full, I rode at 24.5 mph, and used an 85 ft line. I love Nautiques for their steep and solid wakes.

Quote from Peter_C "The better you get, the higher you fly, the harder you fall".

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelson

If a high profile Nautique would go fishing offshore and round the point in big surf I would own one.

Fixed it for you!

Would make an awesome dive boat too!

Amazing Surf boat? Fish Nautique - Wakesurfing

AKBronco2 · 18 February 2013, 07:36

Just an update. I did get smart tabs and installed them. Also picked up a brand new 90hp Tohatsu. Got tired of not having power when I needed it. Will update when I get to try out both. Currently 10 degrees and snowing so might be a couple months.

AKBronco2 · 18 June 2013, 22:39

I have one trip on my new motor and trim tabs. Trim tabs worked flawlessly and I'd recommend them to anyone. I used the protroller brackets and flipped them over to allow for pulling the trim tabs up even with the bottom of the boat. Keeps me from hitting them on the trailer or ground while I am beaching. I did adjust trim tab pressure and will try again. Topped out at 26 knots currently. Jumped on plane at 7 knots and laid down nicely. Not a single ill effect from running them.