Adding trim tabs?
#1
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Adding trim tabs?
Gentlemen,
Ive got a 23' Wellcraft Eclipse and I was thinking about adding a set of trim tabs. The boat only does 55 so I dont need an expensive set of k-planes. The boat tends to come off of a wave and hit the left side pretty hard, scaring the hell out of my girlfriend, I think its pretty funny but she doesnt appreciate it very much haha. Sometimes the bay gets a little rough so the tabs could help a little.
So I was looking into some trim tabs. Any ideas on what sizes I would need?
Thanks for any help guys
Ive got a 23' Wellcraft Eclipse and I was thinking about adding a set of trim tabs. The boat only does 55 so I dont need an expensive set of k-planes. The boat tends to come off of a wave and hit the left side pretty hard, scaring the hell out of my girlfriend, I think its pretty funny but she doesnt appreciate it very much haha. Sometimes the bay gets a little rough so the tabs could help a little.
So I was looking into some trim tabs. Any ideas on what sizes I would need?
Thanks for any help guys
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Probably small bennetts will work. Doubt it will fix the slamming issue tho. They work if you have trouble staying on plane at low speeds or need to balance boat because of bad weight distribution. Also if you are in decent seas and need to keep nose down and be able to trim for rpm. Other than that all they do is slow you down(;
#3
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A 23' Wellcraft is a fairly heavy boat. I'd recommend at least a 12" x 12" tab - or close to it. If you're going to install them yourself, Lencos are probably the easiest to install with Boat Leveler and Bennett tabs next on the list.
As for how (and where) to mount them, that's a whole different story with lots of things to consider and worry about. Do a little searching in these forums and you'll find plenty of posts with that information. The instructions are generally a pretty good guide too. If you've never done any marine installation work though, I'd suggest professional help. You can really mess up a boat with a few simple mistakes.
One last thought. You noted that the boat lands pretty hard on the port side. I'm assuming it takes off level though. That's a sign of a problem. If you add tabs and try to correct it, all you're going to do is make it lean to starboard while running so it lands level. That's not good.
As for how (and where) to mount them, that's a whole different story with lots of things to consider and worry about. Do a little searching in these forums and you'll find plenty of posts with that information. The instructions are generally a pretty good guide too. If you've never done any marine installation work though, I'd suggest professional help. You can really mess up a boat with a few simple mistakes.
One last thought. You noted that the boat lands pretty hard on the port side. I'm assuming it takes off level though. That's a sign of a problem. If you add tabs and try to correct it, all you're going to do is make it lean to starboard while running so it lands level. That's not good.
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A 23' Wellcraft is a fairly heavy boat. I'd recommend at least a 12" x 12" tab - or close to it. If you're going to install them yourself, Lencos are probably the easiest to install with Boat Leveler and Bennett tabs next on the list.
As for how (and where) to mount them, that's a whole different story with lots of things to consider and worry about. Do a little searching in these forums and you'll find plenty of posts with that information. The instructions are generally a pretty good guide too. If you've never done any marine installation work though, I'd suggest professional help. You can really mess up a boat with a few simple mistakes.
One last thought. You noted that the boat lands pretty hard on the port side. I'm assuming it takes off level though. That's a sign of a problem. If you add tabs and try to correct it, all you're going to do is make it lean to starboard while running so it lands level. That's not good.
As for how (and where) to mount them, that's a whole different story with lots of things to consider and worry about. Do a little searching in these forums and you'll find plenty of posts with that information. The instructions are generally a pretty good guide too. If you've never done any marine installation work though, I'd suggest professional help. You can really mess up a boat with a few simple mistakes.
One last thought. You noted that the boat lands pretty hard on the port side. I'm assuming it takes off level though. That's a sign of a problem. If you add tabs and try to correct it, all you're going to do is make it lean to starboard while running so it lands level. That's not good.
#6
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I think tabs will help. They will not slow you down when they are fully retracted.
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Just curious. What prop are you running?
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Ok thats sounds a little better, thats what I was thinking it was. My uncle's boat used to do the same thing and the second he put the left tab down he was fine. So i figured this was pretty much the same scenario.
I was just wondering what size trim tabs I would need for the boat?
I was just wondering what size trim tabs I would need for the boat?
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Also the prop is a Mirage Plus 21p
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It might just be the prop torque as Dave M suggested, but sometimes small things make a big diff.
The reason why I asked to your prop was simply because, if you run a large 4 or 5 blade prop, that can sometimes worsen prop torque. The M+ should be fine thou. If anyone you boat with, has a LaserII you can borrow, it's always worth a try, since it is smaller in diameter, but it might be too small.
My point is. Get the basic setup right, before spending any money. I general, tabs on a 23' is worth having IMO.