Permatrim Hydrofoils
- Thread starter SENSEI
- Start date
Interestingly, I went over to the Glacier Bay owners group (closed and only owners can post, but open for the public to view). There is a debate on Permatrims going on there. However what struck me, was the top speed is at least 10 knots and as much as 15 knots less than we we are seeing in the Tom Cats with the same size engines. The Tom Cats definately seem to get better fuel economy and do better down wind. The new Glacier Bay's have added "Power rails"--sort of like spray rails on the side to counter some of the issues going down wind/waves. Score 3 for the Tom Cats...
Spiker – I use to have a 16 foot cruiser without trim tabs so I can only comment on the permatrin that I have. As an NRA member would say “you will only be able to take my permatrim away from me by prying my cold dead fingers off of it”.
PS: Welcome aboard. Glad to have you as a member of this site.
________
Dave
PS: Welcome aboard. Glad to have you as a member of this site.
________
Dave
Thank you all for the welcome and all the advice, it is truly appreciated. I have to tell you one of the main reasons I decided on purchasing a C-Dory was from looking at this website. The owners of these boats are the best advertisement that C-Dory could ever ask for!! I figured if all these people are so happy with their boats I couldn't go wrong.
Thanks again for the feedback and I am very impressed with how quickly I got a response. Spiker
Thanks again for the feedback and I am very impressed with how quickly I got a response. Spiker
spiker,
On our CD-22 cruiser, we installed a Permatrim on our first engine, loved it, repowered and installed Bennett M120's without Permatrims and didn't like them as much. We didn't feel that the tabs got the bow down as much and the boat didn't track as well. The tabs work great for the lateral trim of the boat, adjusting for load etc. So, I put another Permatrim on the new motor, love it, the boat tracks so much better, the bow gets down so much easier. In fact, I rarely use the trim tabs any longer. However, I don't have a floscan and have never tracked the statistics but it doesn't matter to me, I prefer the handling of the boat with Permatrims.
Just one CD-22 owner's opinion who's used both Bennett Trim Tabs and a Permatrim.
Peter
On our CD-22 cruiser, we installed a Permatrim on our first engine, loved it, repowered and installed Bennett M120's without Permatrims and didn't like them as much. We didn't feel that the tabs got the bow down as much and the boat didn't track as well. The tabs work great for the lateral trim of the boat, adjusting for load etc. So, I put another Permatrim on the new motor, love it, the boat tracks so much better, the bow gets down so much easier. In fact, I rarely use the trim tabs any longer. However, I don't have a floscan and have never tracked the statistics but it doesn't matter to me, I prefer the handling of the boat with Permatrims.
Just one CD-22 owner's opinion who's used both Bennett Trim Tabs and a Permatrim.
Peter
Les Lampman
New member
Trim tabs and Permatrims do different jobs and I don't feel one replaces the other; in fact they compliment each other nicely.
The nice thing about the Permatrims is that they make the motor trim more effective so you don't have to use as much of it which means more of the thrust from the prop is being used to push the boat forward rather than the stern up.
The trim tabs are nice because they give you lateral trim capability and keep you from having to use too much engine trim (see above). Working in concert they can address many more situations than either alone (or especailly nothing at all).
The nice thing about the Permatrims is that they make the motor trim more effective so you don't have to use as much of it which means more of the thrust from the prop is being used to push the boat forward rather than the stern up.
The trim tabs are nice because they give you lateral trim capability and keep you from having to use too much engine trim (see above). Working in concert they can address many more situations than either alone (or especailly nothing at all).
Sea Skipper
Member
The Permatrim hydrofoil sticks out almost a foot farther to the rear on the trailer adding to the potential for rear end damage. They have two holes located each side on the aft end of the foil. I'm not sure what the intended purpose was or is, but they are perfect for attaching highway reflectors. The bracket in the picture is made from angle aluminum with a V cut in center and slightly bent to fit. I trailer with the outboard in the down position - a piece of plastic or wood cut at an angle and mounted to the bottom of the foil could be used to mount reflectors for use in the trailering up position.
I would suggest that a PVC light bar be put on the Permatrims--that way the lights are at the aft end of the boat/trailer, rather than back down where they are not as easily seen. My light bar has both tail/turn lights, and the 3 clearance lights in the center--I will also but a small video camera in the pipe for visualization from the truck.