On 23 Sep 2005 16:02:04 -0700, "~^ beancounter ~^"
wrote:

anyone ever used a trim tab on a rudder? like
we have on rudders and elevators in airplanes?
this allows the pilot to "dial in" a certain amount of balance...

Yes. My rudder trim tab, designed by Larry Pardy, allows me to set the
tab - for example to offset prop walk (from the single prop, when
underway forward).

Cheers

Bill...that's interesting...what is the control like, just a simple
knob or small wheel??....Do you use the trim tab while under sail,
or primarly under power??

On 27 Sep 2005 07:24:01 -0700, "~^ beancounter ~^"
wrote:

Bill...that's interesting...what is the control like, just a simple
knob or small wheel??....Do you use the trim tab while under sail,
or primarly under power??

The trim tab has its own miniature tiller. And the mini-tiller can be
fixed to a nut running on a threaded rod that runs athwartships. The
threaded rod can be rotated, so the angle of the mini-tiller and hence
the trim tab can be set finely.

Under power, the angle of the trim tab can be set to balance the prop
walk.

Under sail or when motor-sailing, the mini-tiller becomes a
self-steering machine after being released from the nut so it can be
driven by either a tiller-pilot or a wind vane - see the
manufacturer's website at http://www.freehandsteering.com

Cheers

thanx for the info & url Bill...