Trim Tabs

[Xboatboyx]

Cabin heater what are they powered by. Her indoors likes the sound of that

Dennis

We have a webasto unit and it runs on diesel with its own tank. It's nice to have if you plan on staying overnight.

[mlines]

Mark (the previous owner of our boat) fitted trim tabs. He overcame the possible reduction in top end issue by having some pull up cords. Now clearly these are NOT operated whilst in motion but you change them when you want to do water sports or when you want to go fast.

sized_Regal2250_IMG_20160221_143359.jpg (195.81 KiB) Viewed 11493 times

sized_Regal2250_IMG_20160221_143325.jpg (197.21 KiB) Viewed 11493 times

The chart shows that there is very small differences on our 300HP Regal 2250. As you come on the plane with the tabs in use the boat is slightly more economic which you would expect as it planes better. Then as you approach top speed it becomes very slightly less economic as it drags the tabs.

tabs.png (38.51 KiB) Viewed 11493 times

The effect is visible around 1700 -2000 revs where the lines swap over

[annageek]

We have toyed with the idea of fitting them since we bought the boat... but the reason we haven't is because we're not convinced there really was any problem with not fitting them.

Slow speed tracking of the boat is actually quite good.

Hole shot was superb with out old 19" High Five prop that was beaten up. It was still super quick with the 19" brand new Black Max prop we've had fitted all last season.

Normally, we only had two on board (but loads of gear, normally). With four on board, then I think we would have seen some benefit from smart tabs. The stern would just stay buried for a good 10 seconds or so when you has a couple of lumps on the back seat - but it wasn't too bad, even then.

Regarding the fuel economy, I think they would provide a benefit if all you did all day as start-stop-start-stop-start-stop etc, as it will reduce the time climbing up onto the plane - but in my opinion, if you'll be mostly cruising about on the plane without too much intermittent starting and stopping, then all the tabs will do is increase drag and use more fuel.

In short, I don't think you will kick yourself for not fitting them. You can always do it for next season if you feel you suffer without them.

What prop do you have at the moment and what state is it in? If it's anything short of ideal, then I would advise the money is better put towards getting the boat propped right before installing any bolt-on performance 'upgrades'

[NickT]

I'm not sure if the 19 gts hull is the same as that of the gto version but ours has built in trim tabs moulded into the hull.

There is an angled moulding between the outside chine and first v strake on the hull. This starts about 500 mm from the stern and gives about 50 mm of "rise".

I will take some pictures of it to explain what I mean.

We don't suffer from any bow rise when getting on the plane, this could be due to the relatively modest outboard fitted.

Does the gts have these mouldings?

[annageek]

I'm not sure if the 19 gts hull is the same as that of the gto version but ours has built in trim tabs moulded into the hull.

There is an angled moulding between the outside chine and first v strake on the hull. This starts about 500 mm from the stern and gives about 50 mm of "rise".

I will take some pictures of it to explain what I mean.

We don't suffer from any bow rise when getting on the plane, this could be due to the relatively modest outboard fitted.

Does the gts have these mouldings?

Sort of - I didn't think it was quite so pronounced, but I could be wrong.

But equally, I forgot to say, bow rise is minimal in ours too... unless you've got some heavy lumps on the back seat.

[Bigplumbs]

Good to hear from Anna and Nick. Many thanks.

I will have to look at the prop for the specs but it is in very good condition. I think it is relatively new. I also have a second prop that I was given with the boat also in good condition. Like many things on forums you get differing opinions. As you both have this same boat as me (Ok Nicks is the GTO) and have no real problem without having tabs fitted and also in the video it looks fine I think I will leave them off for the moment and see what the ride is like. At the very least if I don't try this and eventually do get them I will not notice the difference as I would have nothing to compare with

Thanks again

Dennis

[betty boop]

Mark (the previous owner of our boat) fitted trim tabs. He overcame the possible reduction in top end issue by having some pull up cords. Now clearly these are NOT operated whilst in motion but you change them when you want to do water sports or when you want to go fast.

sized_Regal2250_IMG_20160221_143359.jpg

sized_Regal2250_IMG_20160221_143325.jpg

The chart shows that there is very small differences on our 300HP Regal 2250. As you come on the plane with the tabs in use the boat is slightly more economic which you would expect as it planes better. Then as you approach top speed it becomes very slightly less economic as it drags the tabs.

tabs.png

The effect is visible around 1700 -2000 revs where the lines swap over

Martin
have you used them in the down position on the river? Im interested in what Gaz said about better slow handling, As Ive said before my Smart tabs are in a box waiting to be sold but yo've sparked interest with the pulley system in the photo, if theres a significant improvement on slow speed handling then may be I could pull them clear for the high speed stuff. For those not in the know Smart Tabs don't compatible with the back of an MX1800 Maxum, or at least they do just fit but create a very unstable bow rise at speed.

[Gazjen]

They make a huge difference at slow speed, better handling and less wake, however if I remember correctly doesn't your boat have the large rounded rear that makes fitting them correctly pretty impossible?

[mlines]

For us I cannot really comment as I do not drive it that much......James??

[MartynG]

We are river based and used to have a 25ft sports cruiser . Wouldn't have thought of using trim tabs to steady the boat at slow speed . Always something to learn about boats - which is part of the fun.