Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 5 Jan 2007 06:38:40 -0800, "Tim" wrote:


I do like the comment on getting better economy, even though it's hard
for me to imagine that a couple plates dragging in the water can
improve your gph.


I'm not convinced of that actually. The main efficiencies are gained
by the angle of the drive to the water - it you can move the prop to
gain efficiency, trim tabs are meaningless in that context. Same with
getting on plane. I also don't buy the slower on plane bit - that's a
function of weight and hull style, not trim tabs.

Then again, folks will convince themselves of anything.

Trim tabs are for boats like cruisers or larger vessels. Boats like
ours they aren't really necessary except for stability or like in my
case with the Contender stability and prop torque.

Well I disagree with you on several points. I could keep my 21ft cuddy
on plane so slow with the tabs down it was almost like I could walk
faster then it was going :-) As far as faster planing, Major difference.
Not really needed when it was just the me the wife and kids. But when we
had friends and gear it made a major difference.

I have no idea about fuel consumption, never had a way to really measure
it that closely

I had that boat 10 years - The difference in using them or not was easy
to see.
Sure they are not for everyone, but if I got another cuddy or small
cruiser I would most likely add then.

Cheers:

Capt Jack R..