Trim tab size for 26-footer

A

AK Angler

New member
My 26-foot Cape Cruiser currently has trim tabs that are - in my opinion - too small. They are 9" long, and 12" wide at the hinge. This is the same size that I have on my 17-foot Arima, and they work well in that application. But, on the CC, they are virtually ineffective until they are deployed almost all the way down, so I've decided to replace them with larger ones.

If I get the 12" x 12" units, I think I can swap them out without having to change the mounting position of the actuators. But, I just don't know if they will be big enough.

If I upgrade to an 18" wide tab, I'm pretty sure I'll have to relocate the actuators. But, the larger tabs might be a better match for this hull.

What size trim tabs are other folks running on their 26-foot boats, and can you speak to their effectiveness?

Lenco's trim tab ratings for reference:

9x12 tab (rated for 16-25-foot hull) = 108 sq. in. <---- current tab: definitely undersized

12x12 tab (rated for 17-30 foot hull) = 144 sq. in. <----- option 1: easiest swap, least surface area of possible upgrades (33% greater surface area than current tabs), may still be somewhat undersized

9x18 tab (rated for 22-30 foot hull) = 162 sq.in. <----- option 3: the same complexity to upgrade as option 2, only 12.5% more area than option 1 (50% greater surface area than current tabs)

12x18 tab (rated for 26-36 foot hull) = 216 sq. in. <----- option 2: twice the surface area as current tabs, but more complex swap


** I don't know if this is a valid theory, but... Comparing a known effective ratio of tab size to hull length (9x12 tabs on my 17 foot Arima hull), I come up with a target of 165 square inches per tab to get similar effectiveness from the tabs on my 26 foot CC. [108 sq. in. / 17 ft. hull length = 6.35 sq.in / ft. ... 6.35 sq. in. per foot * 26 feet = 165.1 sq. in.] So, it would seem that option 1 may still be too small, and that option 3 may actually be ideal. But, if I'm going to have to remount everything anyway, I may opt for option 2 to maximize my surface area. ... ... I've never heard of anybody complaining that they had trim tabs that were too big... Is that a concern?


Note: I'm probably overthinking this whole thing... It's what I do.
 
Can't offer advice on the trim tab size, as I don't have them (and my boat's a 23, anyway). But I do have Permatrims on twin engines (Yamaha F-70's), which work fine for me - I can really lower and raise the bow, and do moderate side to side balancing. Do you have a Permatrim, or other foil? If not, that addition might alter your calculation on the tabs. Just a thought.
 
NORO LIM - That's a valid question. I don't have Permatrims on this boat. I did have one on the Arima before I re-powered it (I just couldn't bear to drill into the anti-V plate on my shiny new motor). Before the re-power, I tried it both before and after I installed the trim tabs and found it to be more useful without the tabs on that particular boat. So, I wasn't planning on spending $300 - $400 (with freight) just to test 'em out on this boat. That, plus... I'm looking at swapping the twin Hondas for a single Yamaha or Suzuki (I'm gonna give 'em a fair shake, but I just don't think I'm a 'twin' guy), and adding Permatrims to a set of motors that I may very well end up selling soon doesn't seem prudent. So, in this discussion about the proper size of trim tabs, I have to make the assumption that I won't ever have a Permatrim.
 
Send a PM or e-mail to "taxman" who is a registered member of this forum. He may pick your question up--but if you ask him, you may bet a more rapid response--and he / you can share this on the forum.

Do the search on member "taxman".
 
I'm sure Tabman could offer some sound advice about tab size in general, but... 1) I'd feel a bit awkward asking the Bennet rep for advice about my Lenco system, and 2) I was hoping for some real-world experience regarding how the various sizes of trim tabs are working on this particular hull. If nobody with a 26-footer responds, maybe I'll shoot Tabman a PM.

BrentB - I'd have to look, but I'm not so sure that 30" tabs would even fit... Two tabs would take up 5 feet of transom space! :shock:
 
On our very heavily-built 26-footer, I replaced the original 9x18 Bennett tabs with 12x20 tabs that also have a section that points downward at each end. They were the biggest I could squeeze in with appropriate clearance from props transducers etc. The actuators are a bit off center on the bigger tabs, but they did not have to be relocated. The new tabs made a huge difference, and have worked perfecly for 15 years now.
 
Ak Angler.....

On my 26' ProAngler C-Dory (14 degr. deadrise) I have 18"x8" Insta-Trim tabs. I just put on my slippers, set down my adult beverage and went outside and measured my tabs just for you.
THey work just fine IMHO. Boat is very responsive to them.
I am sure they were on it when the boat was new (2005).
THe only problem I had was the dash control was inop. when it came from Fla. I contacted Insta-Trim and they sent a whole new controller but I had to send the old one back to them. So far it has been fine, 5 yrs.

You should have told me you only wanted the boat hull towed up. I could have ditched all that other stuff, engines, tabs etc

Good luck on the remodel.

Jack
 
Jack in Alaska":1n8whifq said:
Ak Angler.....

You should have told me you only wanted the boat hull towed up. I could have ditched all that other stuff, engines, tabs etc

Good luck on the remodel.

Jack
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That's funny, Jack. If I had only known... if I had oooooonly known. :roll:

I don't know about ditching the motors just yet. I really am going to give the twins a fair shake.

And, thanks for the input on the tabs (I hope your drink didn't get too warm while you were out checking for me! :smiled). So, if someone gave you a set of bigger ones... say, 18x12... do you think you would spend the time to swap 'em out? Or do yours work good enough that you wouldn't bother?
 
Wow, I hardly ever use my trim tabs and I only fill the water tank half full so I don't dig into a wave and bow steer while crossing the bar at Westport. About the only time I use trim tabs (the 9x12 that you described) is in 2 foot chop in Puget Sound or out in the ocean in 2 foot chop with minimal swell.
 
That's interesting, Forrest... The same sized tabs that are basically ineffective for me seem to work well for you. I wonder if there's a substantial difference in fore-to-aft balance between our boats at play here...? Your Honda 200 weighs almost 200 pounds less than my twin 90's. Plus, we haven't yet fully outfitted and stocked our boat yet, which would account for our balance point being even further aft.

Hmmm... it gets curiouser and curiouser...
 
Rod,

I would not change my tabs but you may be planning on a much bigger load than mine. My boat is pretty much empty as we only day trip in it. Mama likes her own bed at night after a hard day fishing.
I carry only 75 gals of fuel, no water in the tank and just basic fishing and safety gear.

Jack
 
AK Angler":1q56bybu said:
NewMoon - Thanks for the input. The 26-footer to which you are referring is a Bounty 257, not a C-Dory or Cape Cruiser, correct?
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Yes, the Bounty 257. She weighs almost 11,000 lb loaded up with diesel engine, fuel, water, cruising and fishing gear, and two of us.
 
Thanks for the input so far, guys. I'm hoping to get some more input on this before I order new trim tabs... Anyone else want to jump in?
 
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