Trim Tab Question

P

Papillon

New member
Dusty and any others with knowledge, I just purchased Trim Tabs today and the question comes to mind....do I still need the hydrofoil on my motor....don't the tabs perform the same function as to "hole shot" and if so does the additional drag of the hydrofoil become a "minus"?

All advice welcomed....
 
Mike, it'll probably be a "minus" but leave it on there until the trim tabs are functional and try them together. Then take it off and make a decision. Everyone has their own comfort feeling....

Charlie
 
Mr. Butterfly -

You mentioned my name, so gotta reply I guess. Don't know the answer! So many different situations, and it depends on how you load the boat - and of course use the boat. I run very light (cheap, cheap, cheap) and the trim tabs I use very sparingly. Try to level laterally with weight shift, balance fore and aft as much as possible without tabs. I use tabs when running into a chop - saves my dentures. And if I really need a jolt, I use them going down the slope of a big one! Yeah sure.

There are lots of skippers who use both tabs and various hydrafoil configurations. You should get LOTS of knowledgeable answers on this one. I've had 22s both ways, and honestly can't tell much difference in drag with the hydrafoil. Gotta be some!!

Wish I could be of more help,

Dusty
 
Both points well taken.

I have no complants now about the "hole shot" or the ride persay. I just have to advise my firstmate to stop moving around while we are underway but since it is spring break season, we seem to have a heavy schedule of folks visiting over the next month and I know I am going to have more folks on board then. I want to have be able to provide them and myself a nice ride without having them do a weight in before boarding and taking their seat assignment.

Dusty, I have the same problem with the dentures that you do and I look foward to reducing the shock as well.

Thanks for the replys.
 
I used the hydrofoils for a couple years before installing the trim tabs. Then I used them both till the first of the year. Removed the foils a couple months ago, think I'll leave them off. Little difference in handling, slightly better now.
I have the auto adjust feature for the trim tabs- love it. Get on plane and turn it on- it does the rest. In rough water, when you have to slow down, turn off the auto and adjust manually as conditions warrant.
 
If you run real stern heavy you might like the added stern lift of both tabs and foil. The one thing a foil can do that tabs can't is lift the bow if you are bow heavy. I have a permatrim which is flat and has little drag. It is great at holding water around the prop to keep it hooked up. I have only got to run my boat in ocean swells for a few days. Waves were four feet and spaced a descent ways apart. Nice big rollers. With the motor trimmed up a dab it held the bow up nicely and we could climb up over and down rather smoothly at good speed with nairly a splash.

As others say try and test. Both ways if necessary. Lots of different variations among loads, conditions and boats.
 
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