Trim Tabs

nik · 01 May 2012, 18:11

Do trim tabs help the performance of a boat by making the hull length effectively longer?

Nick.

gotchiguy · 01 May 2012, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

Do trim tabs help the performance of a boat by making the hull length effectively longer?

Nick.

Yes. Along with much added control in choppy conditions.

captnjack · 01 May 2012, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

Do trim tabs help the performance of a boat by making the hull length effectively longer?

Nick.

Longer and they obviously can change the angle of the hull with the water depending on how they're adjusted.

nik · 02 May 2012, 13:55

Thanks for the replies.
What about the likes of smart tabs or automatic tabs. they seem to be cheaper, but is there a down side.

gotchiguy · 02 May 2012, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

Thanks for the replies.
What about the likes of smart tabs or automatic tabs. they seem to be cheaper, but is there a down side.

Assuming you mean the non-adjustable ones?

They are very useful on small inflatables, helping to lift the stern and lower the nose. Perhaps they would also have some benefit for small RIBs but not with much more than 30hp. They would simply act as an extension to the hull in this case. Adjustable tabs are not really necessary on a sub-150hp boat but they are absolutely excellent.

Nos4r2 · 02 May 2012, 14:30

Gotchi, do you have any actual hands-on experience with Smart Tabs or the like?

gotchiguy · 02 May 2012, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Gotchi, do you have any actual hands-on experience with Smart Tabs or the like?

Yes, our Zodiac tender doesn't have them but I have used one that does and can therefore comment on the difference.

Also, we have electric trim tabs in Into The Red, Erin didn't on La Frette.

nik · 02 May 2012, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Assuming you mean the non-adjustable ones?

They are very useful on small inflatables, helping to lift the stern and lower the nose. Perhaps they would also have some benefit for small RIBs but not with much more than 30hp. They would simply act as an extension to the hull in this case. Adjustable tabs are not really necessary on a sub-150hp boat but they are absolutely excellent.

I was wondering if they would make a 5 to 6 metre boat perform better or give a smoother ride in lumpy water like you get in the solent.
Adjustable tabs, about £400 to £500?

Erin · 02 May 2012, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Erin didn't on La Frette.

But does now

. Launching tomorrow

gotchiguy · 02 May 2012, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

I was wondering if they would make a 5 to 6 metre boat perform better or give a smoother ride in lumpy water like you get in the solent.
Adjustable tabs, about £400 to £500?

They would, and if you can justify the outlay then they will make a huge difference. Erin is the one to speak to on cost but I think that would be top end.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f36/la-frette-tabd-47468.html

But don't believe everything he says about trim tabs, he hasn't even had his strengthened!

Erin · 02 May 2012, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

he hasn't even had his strengthened!

Yet!

Cost for Lectrotabs with 8 sec actuators, 9x12" tabs and premium control switch (auto retracting) worked out about £600 through ASAP supplies.

gotchiguy · 02 May 2012, 15:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Yet!

I was joking, don't get so defensive about your oversights

Erin · 02 May 2012, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

I was joking, don't get so defensive about your oversights

Defensive? But I haven't said anything

Anyway, go and get on with some of your important schoolwork or summink.

Nos4r2 · 02 May 2012, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Yes, our Zodiac tender doesn't have them but I have used one that does and can therefore comment on the difference.

Also, we have electric trim tabs in Into The Red, Erin didn't on La Frette.

So essentially your statement about smart tabs is an extrapolation?

I don't have any experience with them, however I am aware that they are made for larger boats than you are referring to with different pressure actuators. What effect they have, I don't know.

captnjack · 02 May 2012, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by nik

Thanks for the replies.
What about the likes of smart tabs or automatic tabs. they seem to be cheaper, but is there a down side.

I had the pressure sensitive ones on a Bombard C3 SIB with 25hp 4 stroke once. But that's much smaller than your boat.

I found them hard to adjust so they were weak enough to actually rise up underway and not create drag. Once adjusted, they basically worked to lift the stern with maybe 15 or 20lbs of lift. They don't make lumpy water smooth apart from helping to keep the bow down slightly.

gotchiguy · 02 May 2012, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Defensive? But I haven't said anything

Anyway, go and get on with some of your important schoolwork or summink.

You can't hide your tracks from me

gotchiguy · 02 May 2012, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

So essentially your statement about smart tabs is an extrapolation?
.

In the sense that the only craft with fixed trim tabs is this:

Google Image Result for http://medias.zodiacmarine.com/images/00/00/00/26/image-1400-933-2643-r.jpg

then yes. However I think that experience with electric trim tabs is even more relevant to the post, owing to size of craft etc

Miller · 02 May 2012, 20:17

I have got a pair of the smart tabs on my boat...I havent tried them yet but if they are any good I would look at getting some fully adjustable ones.

I have got them to try as I have moved the console to the back of the boat and i m not sure if it will be a bit ass heavy.

Nos4r2 · 02 May 2012, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

In the sense that the only craft with fixed trim tabs is this:

Google Image Result for http://medias.zodiacmarine.com/images/00/00/00/26/image-1400-933-2643-r.jpg

then yes. However I think that experience with electric trim tabs is even more relevant to the post, owing to size of craft etc

Those aren't smart tabs.

captnjack · 02 May 2012, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

In the sense that the only craft with fixed trim tabs is this:

Google Image Result for http://medias.zodiacmarine.com/images/00/00/00/26/image-1400-933-2643-r.jpg

then yes. However I think that experience with electric trim tabs is even more relevant to the post, owing to size of craft etc

Pretty much whenever you use the word "only" or "always" etc you are going to be wrong...

My ali hull has what are essentially fixed trim tabs, could also be called a hull plate extension. Visible here with the transducer attached on an extra piece of "L" shaped aluminum.
http://www.rib.net/forum/members/433...cture1226.html

But its nothing like a smart tab with a hydraulic actuator as shown here:
Smart Tabs Trim Tabs