Permatrims: My 2 cents

A good part of the reason the TC 255 rides so nice and is very efficient at speed is the air cushion (and lift) that is created from the cat hull design. I love the concept of permatrims in general - great product. However, I can see why one would not have the most favorable results with them on the Tomcat as they could contradict the inherent benefits of the hull design. Bob said they may even be detrimental and I believe him - makes complete sense. None the less, I'd love to have a TC 255 in my small fleet...even one with permatrims :-)
 
We have the TC24....The hull deck is too low for that "air cushion" to work well. You definitively want permatrims on a TC. Same hull as the TC255, granted it is bigger and set up differently, but you'd be hard pressed to convince me the permatrims are not effective on just about any boat that planes.

Just my 2 cents :)

James
 
It is a very rare day I would disagree with James. But there is enough difference in the boats which I believe makes our experiences different,

The difference between the 255 and the 24 is the engine bracket. The 24 has the engines mounted directly to the hull. The flow of water at the end of the bracket in transition from displacement to planing has increased turbulence, because of this bracket. I was trying to get the boat to plane at a lower speed, and we ended up with a significant increase of water coming over the bracket with the Permatrims as we slowly transitioned from semi displacement to planing mode.

As the boat came up on a plane, the Permatrims worked as in monohulls or a cat which has the motor mounted to the hull. I did not feel that the Permatrims gave a decrease in the lowest planing speed. The Permatrims decreased the top speed a small amount. This is with the Suzuki 150's which I feel are the best engines for the TC 255. Speeds with these engines and the type of props they use (4 blade, stern lifting, higher pitch), are higher than with the Honda's.

We live up near the head of Perdido Bay--there is about 12 miles of fetch during a "norther"; Winds up to 50 knots. As we left the ICW the waves were close to 3 feet. The only way to successfully get up the bay with minimal discomfort, was to take the speed up to over 35 mph--to get this air cushion increase. The 4 blade props and "reverse" (Counter rotation engine on Starboard) engine mounting all help to give more stern lift.

I agree that the tunnel height of the Tom Cat (either 24 or 255) should be about 6" higher. You have a lot of experience in the 24. I have only driven one a few times. So I certainly believe your experience is valid for the TC 24.
 
I had Doel fins, a permatrim type outboard attachment, on my twin hondas and later added trim tabs. I ended up giving away the Doel Fins. I found that I didn't need the fin gadgets to trim the boat. I can trim the boat with the trim tabs and then trim the outboards to to run at their most efficient trim.
 
The plastic fins, such as the Doll-fins do not do as good a job as the Permatrims. One can "trim" their boat any number of ways. The goal is to give the best ride in all conditions: especially into chop--the weak point of the C Dory line. The Permatrims plus trim tabs on the monhul C Dory boats appear to do this. There are other benefits, such as in monohulls being able to plane at an even lower speed.

My first 22 had no trim tabs or foil. My first 25 had trim tabs, and after running it for a few months, I added the Permatrim. So my opinion is based on using a boat with no trim devices of any sort, in comparison to a boat with trim tabs only and then both a 22 and two 25's with the foils. I had one boat which came with the Doel-fin, so was able to compare with Doel-fin and Permatrim.

All of this is somewhat subjective, so persons' opinions may vary.
 
I have had trim tabs, doelfins, and whale tails on various boats. They all do something. The hydrofoil (SE Sport I think plastic thing) on my ski boat long ago made some difference - it would get on step with a boat full of people and pull a skier with relative ease. Before....yeah...but it took forever and was harder to get the skier up. I remember I lost some top speed, but I'm not completely sure because I put a 4 blade prop on it at roughly the same time.

The Davis whale tails on my 22 with twins drastically changed the boat - for the better. It hauls weight easier, planes a bit slower, and they created an unexpected amount of lift on the stern which puts the bow right into the waves. I was actually shocked at the difference. Fuel consumption didn't change either, nor did top speed. If it did, it is not perceptible after having them on the boat for hours upon hours. I'm sure the permatrims do as well - probably work better actually.
 
Hopefully my hondas will last a long while (fingers crossed). I keep my vessel expedition-ready with kiteboarding lesson, fishing, spearfishing and diving gear always loaded. So light is out of the question. I will have to try speed = air cushion more to better understand how that works. Thanks for all the comments thus far.

If I put on permatrims what size/model is suggested? I went to the website recently and it was not clear briefly reading their suggested uses which ones to go with. Suggestions please.

So if I do put on permatrims on the future, and don't like them, what do I patch the holes with when they are removed. Guessing JB weld has some metal in it which might increase aluminum oxidation on lower unit???
 
Also any thought on whether they would allow for hole shots in shallower water than without them? The lower laguna madre (my inshore waters) has lots of very skinny areas. Seems like my TC needs 30-36 inches to get going. Any tips on shallow water starts appreciated. Can't roll a cat out in shallow water, works well with a mono though.

I almost aways have a mud cloud trail following me around I have noticed...
 
Our C22 came with 115HP Yamaha. It was stern-heavy with 1/2 tank or more of fuel (we travel light -- no overnights, equipment, etc).

After installing the Permatrim the rough water became much easier to handle. The only lesson I had to learn was tilt up when running with following seas.
 
C Sniper":2oqsau03 said:
Also any thought on whether they would allow for hole shots in shallower water than without them? The lower laguna madre (my inshore waters) has lots of very skinny areas. Seems like my TC needs 30-36 inches to get going. Any tips on shallow water starts appreciated. Can't roll a cat out in shallow water, works well with a mono though.

I almost aways have a mud cloud trail following me around I have noticed...
Click to expand...

My impression was that the Permatrims actually decreased the "hole shot"--but with the Suzuki it was pretty good to begin with. Time to plane was not decreased--and might have been slightly increased.

Once the holes are in the anti ventilation plate, there is noting which will guarantee that they will stay filled. JB Weld is about the best--and generally works well. Keep the plates well painted. (Spray on silver Rustoleum works fine)

We have a sand bar at the entrance to our bayou--generally it is kept at 36" by a trawler which lives down the street--but in winter low tides it gets down to 18"--and we just raise the motors up--power until we are out of the shallow areas--(Most of Perdido Bay is 6' depth MLW)
 
I have successfully TIG welded on many cast aluminum pieces. This is a permanent solution and would a very easy job for a skilled welder. After touch up painting, you won't even know the holes were there.
 
Hunkydory":1mmakr6k said:
The Permatrims on my twin Honda 60’s are much larger than the ones on my replaced Honda 40’s. My now Permatrims would fit all Honda’s between 60 hp & 150 hp, yet I still have & use the Bennett trim tabs too. I run heavy & with the extra hp of the twin 60’s, find the combination of the larger permitrims & trim tabs very useful in varying boat weight & sea conditions.

Jay
Click to expand...
I needed to correct this, as I was recently checking the USA Permatrim website, I noticed instead of mine fitting between Honda 60hp & 150 hp it’s actually 60hp to 130hp, though they are still much larger than the ones that fit the Honda 40hp. And these, H9 SILVER PERMATRIM FOR HONDA MOTORS fit 135-225HP AND 2010 & UP 115HP.
 
Back
Top