Trim Tabs

[DCatSea]

This may be stupid question - but here goes:

When we took delivery of our 27FC in 2015, it had a set of ancient Lenco Trim Tabs on the transom, badly weeded, and with rusted hinge pins; only one worked. So, I took them off after our first season, and frankly don't miss them.
That said: what are your opinions on putting tabs on a displacement hull that maxes out at 8.5 knots (wind and tide permitting). Would there be any real performance advantages to putting a new set back on?

[hetek]

I vote "no advantage". If on a planing hull? Yes. On an Albin 27FC? I honestly don't know why. On a 27SC? Maybe, but I don't have experience with the SC's performance.

I've had many boats with trim tabs and never once thought my 27FC could have benefited from a pair.

Very odd them being there...

[DougSea]

While they wouldn't help in the planing hull sense (adjusting bow rise and improving speed) I do wonder if they would help in an out of trim situation (side-to-side). I realize you can normally adjust the load in the boat - but sometimes things are more dynamic.

Just my 2 cents.

[hetek]

That's the only benefit I could possibly see, Doug. But I also wonder how much 8.5 knots (more like 6 when cruising) of water "rushing" past the tabs would actually make a difference.

If my boat was out of trim I'd just tell the kids to move to the other side. Then again, my 27FC just wallowed along happily anyway.

[DCatSea]

I took the tabs off because they didn't seem to do anything. I'll just trim for'd a tad - more chain?
I'm actually enjoying the wallow; it just goes on and on, pretty much regardless of what's going on all around. Getting to 8 is very exciting.
I think my question is answered.

Thanks to all

[hetek]

Never underestimate the benefit of "the wallow"!

IMG_0936.JPG

Wish someone else was driving the boat so I could do that!

[coolchange]

revisit the trim tab discussion: I was on my way back from "downriver" and at 1400 rpm (new tach..getting it calibrated next week so might be off) I travel at 10.5 kt +/_ (SOG via Furuno) ...yes the fuel burn is not as efficient ( ) but as I power past hull speed the bow does drop significantly ...but I was thinking if I had tabs I could get the last few inches of drop..as the tabs used to do on my planing hull fast boats..and my assumption is that then I would be getting better fuel economy.

Any thoughts?

( PS..I generally prefer slow but hey sometimes you just want to get to a dock)

[jleonard]

You can decide if this is applicable...……….
My "ex" was an old 34 Mainship. Semi displacement hull, 160 hp engine with a top end of 10.5 knots, cruise was about 8 knots.

I put big tabs on it..42 x 12.

1) I could now get "on plane" at 7.5 knots as those big tabs could lift the a$$ end f the boat up (provided I had 12 feet of water under me).
2) The back end lift was great for running in shallow water.
3) When running in a beam wind, I could use one tab to beep the boat level.
4) At anchor, those big tabs acted as "rocker stoppers" dampening the motion from wakes, etc.
5) When anchored in Block Island, it was a place to store clams while snorkeling.

I think they will help you.

[DCatSea]

Don't they try to escape?

[jleonard]

Don't they try to escape?

Impossible there are too many screws holding them in place.
Oh...you mean the clams?