What trim tabs should I use?????
 

I am a little confused on what tabs to use. I wanted to go with the 280s k plains but they will end up just over one of the strakes. and the hydrolic lined will be running right into one of the stringers. I could do some modifications and make them work but is it worth it. I thought about going with the Edie marine Billet trim tab. They are 12 X 16" and they wont get in the way of anything but....... they have not started production and wont be for several months :( Then there is the Edie Marine K Plain that is 12 X 21" I don't think I have the $$$ for them and i think they are a bit long . I also notice that Trim Master has a 12 X 16 trim tab. I had a set of 12 X 12" on my old boat and was very happy with there product. but this boat will be running close to the 80's and I don't know how well they will hold up. As for Bennett tabs I just don't like them. Are there any other manufactures out there other than these??????

I would like to go with the 12 X 16 Trim Master tabs and was thinking of adding a triangle shape steel extension to the transom mounting bracket so that I can through bolt it to the transom for some extra durability like a set of trim tabs, but how well will the rams hold up???

What other choices do I have ?????

I once seen a Checkmate with a heavy duty style trim tab but never got the name of the manufacture.


By the way this is for a 28 Scarab Excel

Not to cause any more confusion but how about Durratab, or Keith Eickhart tabs or even Arnesson Rocker tabs......


Jon

How about:

http://www.lencomarine.com/

???

insptech now that is what I was looking for. They look like what I was going to make the Trim Master's into. They have a 17 X 12 heavy duty race tab but no pricing. the one thing I don't like is that it is only a single ram. I will call them tomorrow and see if they say it is strong enough. They have a 19 X 14" one with twin rams but then I run into the problem with it being two wide. They look nice and easy to install. Light weight and no pumps or hoses, fully electric.

Has anyone here used a set?????

There's also Duraplane's....

"I wanted to go with the 280s k plains but they will end up just over one of the strakes."

Hotboat, Is that a problem? Take a look on how mine are mounted.

BTW, they don't effect the strakes whatsoever. Planes are only effecting the water that has already traveled the length of the hull and has departed....

Dana Marine makes some billet trim tabs that a lot of the so cal custom boat builders use. I'll see if I can dig up a picture...They're very similar to the eddie marine tabs

I would much rather go with the 280 k plains. I think they are better for resale when its time to sell the boat. If it don't mater if they are mounted over the strake's then that is a good thing. I can mount them inware a bit more with out any problums. I thought they were supposed to mount at the inside of the chime I now see that it don't matter.


As for mounting them,were would the best location be. does it mater how close the are to the drive. Is it better to keep them close together ( as long as they don't touch the drive) or as far apart as I can make them????? what is best?????

Thanks for the help

Paul

:)

As far to the outside as possible for best leverage.

Did you see World class marine - Zieger Industries? Dollar had them at the Miami boat show. They looked very nice all polished cast stainless steel they have a website but it is messed up right now.

They were 3595.00 per system (Boat show price)

HEY DAVE, is that the back of your superboat? looks nice tripps

Yup, I get some serious leverage with those K-planes.

I would seriously consider running the boat without them for a baseline test before choosing the tabs. Your answer may be apparent as to the size and location after some runtime hours. If the hull does not seem to want a lot of tab then go with a smaller tab and a higher mounting. Define what the desired effect of the tabs will be, Some hulls need chinewalk correction others need basic trimming to compensate for wind direction...etc. Good luck. The Ironman.

Go with the 280's - proven item, standard on a lot of performance boats. I agree with Ted - as far out board as possible, slightly inward of the outside lifting strake and parallel to the bottom running surface. Sopme pad bottom hulls, such as Velocity, mount them tight to the drive ( without hitting the prop in a trimmed and or full steering lock ). This location is very specific to their hull and it's running attitude. Mount your to the outside and you will get the full benefits of leverage and the capabilities of counteracting wind, wave and or weight conditions. Good Luck

I agree with TOO OLD, testing is the key. Example, on my 251 convinsor, the tabs were mounted all the way to the outside, covering the outside strake. I had alot of handling issues. It was recommended by a rigger that I needed to move the tabs as far inward as possible, because of the portion of the boat that was in the water. BUT that changes with the way you use the boat, what is good for one, is not always good for another. By the way why don't you like Bennett tabs ? ( I run 12 x 16 Bennetts on a 25' Checkmate)

I am trying to figure out where to put a set of 280S's on my Sunsation Aggressor (25'). The factory has not intalled them OEM. Attached is a transom shot with exiting Bennetts, before hydraulic steering added. Hull is conventional v-bottom with delta pad. Should be running 85-87 mph this year. It's pretty well know that chine walk occurs in the 81-84 mph range for this hull. Advice appreciated.

oh yeah, I too need a lot of trim to reach peak top speed. Planning on starting with a Bravo1 prop - that's what I am running now, only it's a smaller pitch.

-Mark