Permatrim---thumbs up or thumbs down?

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:48 pm Post subject: Snookered

OK folks, we finally snookered old Tyboo Mike.

On the serious side, I think you will like the difference that the Permatrims bring

TyBoo · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:10 pm Post subject:

Oh, I've been snookered before. The Lenco trim tab guys got me good and that's why I am trying the Permatrim. My tabs are scarcely adequate and I'm hoping the foil will let me use the tabs more for the lateral and less for the bow down stuff. I'm also hoping it will do it without costing any speed because I am kind of underpowered with 130 on my heavy old boat. We'll see.

I do have a bit of faith in it helping, though.

I was so sure I didn't even try the PermaDork before buying the real thing.

Dora~Jean · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:56 pm Post subject:

I only put my "twin" engines down about 10 deg (not an exact figure) so that the prop angle to the water flow is decent, then I use my oversized trim tabs to do any additional needed for bow down/up attitude and lateral balance. I really like mine.

You made a good move Mike, can't say you'll get 20% increase speed though (tongue in cheek I'm sure...). Let us know how the install goes, and of course the performance. Smile

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:13 am Post subject:

What are you guys on commission? After hearing all this, I have to get some. Does West Marine sell them? Thanks guys.......

lloyds · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:46 am Post subject:

I can't find one here in the willamette valley either.

Sneaks · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:09 am Post subject:

There is only one dealer in the United States and Mike bought there. Shipyard Island Marina.

The original vendor was conveniently located in San Diego where I got mine, but he finally retired and turned everything over to Shipyard Island Marina.

I too have nothing but good to say about both Permatrim and trim tabs in single engine installations. If I had two outboards I'd forego the tabs in favor of Permatrim. Much faster and finer control, and the difference in control at docking speed is remarkable.

Don

hardee · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:29 am Post subject: PermaBurner

Looks like Mike ordered the Afterburner version of Permadeal:

Dora~Jean · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:35 am Post subject:

Mine are plenty sturdy enough to stand on, at least for my 80's. In fact, their little install guide says not to stand on them when the motor is running -- as a safety item.

jhwilson · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:45 am Post subject:

Great info here about Permatrim. Would it be fair to ask you fans "what if you could only have one, Permatrim or trim tabs, which would you choose"? There's a purpose in my asking.

Thanks in advance.

Harper

Sneaks · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:06 am Post subject:

marvin4239 · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:21 am Post subject:

I had them on my 16 and it was if they were designed for the C-Dory 16. The difference was amazing in every aspect. I ordered one for my 22 a few days ago (which has trim tabs) and Shipyard Marine is really nice to deal with. I didn't have the order in any time and I got a confirmation in a few hours that the item had been shipped. I'll try to do some before and after tests and record RPM and MPH at various ranges for comparison. I don't expect there to be much difference in this. I'm expecting the permatrim to improve the side to side trim. Now when I use my trim tabs to compensate for side to side trim preformance suffers due to the drag created by the tabs. I hope to be able to use less tab to achieve side to side trim while planning with the permatrim installed. My boat with a Suzuki 90 full tanks and 3 batteries in the lazarettes is pretty heavy in the stern.

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:53 pm Post subject:

While I don't have any yet, it would seem that Permatrims would really enhance a twin setup. In fact, due to the fact that they have leverage, and a lot of it, they maybe even better than factory trim tabs. If you were financially challenged and could only afford one or the other (trim tabs, or permatrims on a twin) which would you get?

cemiii · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

dang post cost me $162!

flrockytop · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 4:32 am Post subject:

helm · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:12 am Post subject:

I don't have a great explanation for this but - we just finished three weeks taking our boat from the Hudson River up to the Georgian Bay.
We were loaded with 5 people, gear, full to half fuel. Speeds were 10 km/hr to 25 knots.
With the load we required a lot of trim with our trim tabs and permatrim.
I noted one day that one of my eight stainless steel bolts between the av plate and permatrim had sheared, closer inspection showed that 6 of eight had sheared and the remains of the bolts were held in place by the adhesive we had used between the AV plate and permatrim.
Some of the bolts were sheared on the nut side, some on the slotted side.
The only two bolts not sheared were the two forward. The permatrim plate was still solid - I couldn't flex it.
I replaced the bolts with spares and will have to see if it happens again.
I assume it was caused by some flex between the av plate and permatrim or perhaps the stainless bolts were weak and over tightened when I installed my permatrim although I tightened everything only with hand tools.
The message is you might want to check and be sure everything is intact in your installation, a quick glance could be deceiving as the bolts are held in place by adhesive and you could miss a sheared bolt.
Eric