Hydraulic or Electric trim tabs on ribs? Anybody using them?

[Jono]

Originally Posted by codprawn

I don't know which is why I am asking!!!!!!!!!!!!

IF the switches move proportinally to the tabs then a quick glance at the switch positions would be enough but if it were that simple why sell led indicators???

How does the trim switch on yer O/B work?

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Jono

How does the trim switch on yer O/B work?

Well considering I haven't had it yet................

I take it what you mean is that as long as the switch is depressed it will keep powering down???

Just because it works like that on an outboard doesn't mean it has to work like that on a trim tab!!!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Alan

Trim tab switches are usually simple rocker switches codprawn, no proportional movement, so visual gauges a must. Bennet tabs have LED type indicators IIRC.

Thanks Alan - can't believe they sell them without indicators then - would be a nightmare to keep TABS on their positions!!!

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by codprawn

...- would be a nightmare to keep TABS on their positions!!!

Nah, you can feel what the boat is doing. The led indicators, by definition, have got to be insensitive. Not tried them though....

Bennett's do work ok but they are hardly high quality engineering. Fitting them pissed me off.

[Alan]

True enough JW, its like trimming an outboard - with a little bit of experience you can feel the difference trimming makes and select optimum trim without having to refer to the trim gauge. (Which is generally broken anyway )

[boatster]

I used my Lencos over 100 miles, not that much but enough to make a good comparison. My boat is so small that my ride is greatly improved with the automatic tabs (Nauticus) vs the Lencos. That and my boat is a little tail heavy. Personallly I would choose the Lencos again if I were to install adjustable tabs on a boat again. I prefer electronics over hydraulics. Regarding the LED indicators, you don't need them but its nice to have. Pretty much you can adjust the tabs according to the conditions and behaviour of the boat and not worry how the tabs are set, or you can know how they are set and get a better understanding how they alter your boats behaviour in certain conditions while your using them (over time). The latter would be ideal but the LED switch itself is about $150 more than the standard switch.

Given that my boat porpoises (bow rises heavily) from a dead start without tabs, when I put on the Nauticus tabs there is ZERO porpoise. The boat jumps straight onto plane without hardly any bow rise. When I used the lencos I had to bring both tabs down every time I stopped in order to not porpoise when accelerating from stopped. And once on plane I had to bring them in some because they scrubbed alot of speed and economy off my boat. With the nauticus, since they are self adjusting the not only improved my fuel economy but they were hassle free.

I know what I'm talking about with regards to my boat. Trim tabs are not rocket science. They're not hard to understand, the concept is very simple. For my boat the Nauticus hit the sweet spot. For others maybe the Lencos or Bennetts.

Unless your boat is perfectly balanced stern to bow any kind of trim tabs would help. Its probably safe to say most boats/ribs are stern heavy. In this case trim tabs would be a huge asset. I would highly recommend the Nauticus tabs.

EDIT: I also want to state that the the Nauticus tabs lowered my minimal planing speed as well without me having to touch or adjust any switches. This alone was reason to switch back.

[IanE]

Nauticus

[Jonny Fuller]

Originally Posted by boatster

My boat is so small that my ride is greatly improved with the automatic tabs (Nauticus)

The crux of it!

Horses for Courses.

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by Jonny Fuller

(move up & down)

gud jobb yew sed dat nobbur cuz ders sum dat wud fitt dem onn de fkin virtycul an den cum onn heer boestin bowt ow fasst thay cann gow rownd cawners



gArf

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by The Garfish

gud jobb yew sed dat nobbur cuz ders sum dat wud fitt dem onn de fkin virtycul an den cum onn heer boestin bowt ow fasst thay cann gow rownd cawners



gArf

Now there's an idea!!!!

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Now there's an idea!!!!

nobb


gArf

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by The Garfish

nobb


gArf

Bit of a "nobb" fixation you got there - maybe it's wearing the frocks.........

[Jonny Fuller]

Originally Posted by boatster

Trim tabs are not rocket science. They're not hard to understand, the concept is very simple.

That's as maybe, but I've met plenty of people who think they understand, but don't.

[dctucker]

I was just out on my SR 5.4 with the Nauticus Smartabs. At nearly WOT, I was still getting some chine walking. What would you do with OB trim and/or manual tabs to minimize this? I can adjust the pressure on the tabs up or down, and trim the OB more up or down. It was manageable but I'd like to minimize it if possible. I don't have a lot of experience with this, and could use some advice!

Dan

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Jonny Fuller

John, given your 'History', I'd go for kiekhaefer K-Planes!

Ha ha point taken Jon! I don't suppose you know the whereabouts of any do you? Google just ends up at boat manufacturers websites!

[Jonny Fuller]

You really need the Kiekhaefer 110S model, they're really compact and were the smallest they did, the old 4 litre Phantom 25's etc. used to use them, as does Roger Severy's P28, but sadly they're no longer made, although you might be able to find some old stock in the US if you phone around/do a search.

The next model up (280S I think) are quite a bit bigger, Matt's got them on his Formula.

[John Kennett]

How about some of these?

http://www.trickmarine.net/productde...?productid=305



John

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Jonny Fuller

You really need the Kiekhaefer 110S model, they're really compact and were the smallest they did, the old 4 litre Phantom 25's etc. used to use them, as does Roger Severy's P28, but sadly they're no longer made, although you might be able to find some old stock in the US if you phone around/do a search.

The next model up (280S I think) are quite a bit bigger, Matt's got them on his Formula.

Any idea how you tell the differance?

[ollyit]

heres my set up -

[boatster_sr4]

Looks good. You'll be stoked after you try them on the water!!! Please keep us posted on the results. Be prepared for a night and day surprise.