Trim Tabs

[Bigplumbs]

Because the season is still not here yet I spend far too much of my time looking at boaty things to potentially waste my money on.

I was watching the two videos made by Gulfstream boat sales of my boat and another Fletcher 19GTS but with a Mercruiser 4.3 ltr mpi (that certainly looks a lovely engine) and in the video it was suggested that the 3 ltr version benefits from trim tabs to get on the plane quicker. I was wondering what people think or is that just wasting money.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU_YB2Hl840 3 ltr ( Go to 1 min 30 seconds)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir_m86dV98k 4.3 mpi

For a real big spend up I keep thinking of going to repower marine and getting a 4.3 ltr. put in the cure (I think that is just dreaming however)

Dennis

[Bigplumbs]

I was looking at the Smart Tabs SX. If the increased fuel efficiency is to be believed (11%) you could get your money back in one season ish

Dennis

[BruceK]

I have had smart tabs and of course trim tabs. Two different things serving two different purposes. But lets haul in a mo Dennis. First try your boat to see if it requires fixing before you fix something that's not broke. The benefit of tabs of either sort in a small boat is really moot and better sorted by correctly balancing and ballasting a boat first. Once you've done that if you are porpoising and cannot control it with leg trim then the damping effect of smart tabs are a worthwhile consideration. If you are getting a torque roll under engine load and are correctly propped and trimmed with a balanced boat then trim tabs. Both these systems can provide great benefits but will also make the boat more skittish especially if used to correct a poorly balanced boat. Don't farkle up for the sake of it.

[Bigplumbs]

Bruce

I think you are right and I am getting the urge to buy things for the boat as it is new to me and also just for the sake of buying stuff. Because I will leave it on the mooring it is far easier to fit them now than later and they are only £110. Having said that however I found the original video of my boat with the older 3 ltr engine (Mine now has a new 3 ltr) and quite frankly it gets on the plane very quickly and looks to perform well. This was with only one person in it but most of the time we will have 2 and I suspect a bit more stuff/weight. I think I will wait ......................... Unless the urge overtakes me.............. . Also most of the reviews say very good things about smart tabs but several say you loose top end speed and I don't want that

Here is the video go to 8 mins 45 seconds

https://youtu.be/WHVs3jMuR_Y .... Go to 8 mins 45 seconds to see it on the water and tell me what you think.

Thanks

Dennis

[Gazjen]

I don't agree, I've fitted smart tabs to a few boats now and they've only ever improved them. Less wander at river speeds it makes it a much more pleasurable experience when you're not correcting the steering all the time. Much lower planing speed. Better hole shot. Less bow rise. Smaller wake (this can be a curse or a blessing) I fitted them to the Fletcher with the 5.7 and that didn't need any help getting going.

[Bigplumbs]

I don't agree, I've fitted smart tabs to a few boats now and they've only ever improved them. Less wander at river speeds it makes it a much more pleasurable experience when you're not correcting the steering all the time. Much lower planing speed. Better hole shot. Less bow rise. Smaller wake (this can be a curse or a blessing) I fitted them to the Fletcher with the 5.7 and that didn't need any help getting going.

But can there be any down sides to them. They are quite inexpensive and can always be removed ?........ What about top end speed

Dennis

[BruceK]

They knock 2knts off top speed in ideal conditions but can improve speed when not.

I never disagreed about the fact that both systems are useful and good. I only said wait to see if they are necessary and never use them to correct a poorly balanced boat. At the mo you're spoiling that boat like its your first grandchild

[Overfinch]

0n my old boat (19ft maxum) smart tabs increased my top speed slightly, I think the reason for this is that the tabs allows you to use all the trim and get the boat ridding with less wetted area and so less drag. I did not find any downsides to the tabs but you can fit retractor locks if you want. Gaz has already listed the other benefits. They made a big difference to the boat for a small outlay and worked as advertised only claim I could not verify was fuel efficiency gains, maybe at slower speeds as the tabs effectively reduce the boats planning speed but I think any gains are marginal at cruising speed but I guess this depends on the hull.

[Ianfs]

Dennis

Am I being a bit stupid, but I can't find any reference to the 3.0 benefitting from tabs, unless its in the full video for VIP members.

Indeed the 4.3 has them in the video, the engine is about 140kgs heavier than the 3.0l, so although it has a tad more power (I thought it was 220 and not 240 as he suggested in the video) 85bhp more, my first thoughts would be that a standard prop set up would be set up for higher top speed from the more powerful engine.

Therefore I get that the 4.3 may require tabs fitted, but looking at the video of the 3.0l accelerating from a standing start without tabs and taking 4-5 seconds to plane, does it need them?

Spend the money on a cabin heater.

PS I have heard really good things about Smart Tabs though, when the boys have posted on previous occasions.

[Bigplumbs]

Cabin heater what are they powered by. Her indoors likes the sound of that

Dennis