Trim Tabs

[wtenglish]

I want to add trim tabs to my 20 SF and have found out the only two brands that I can make work due to the flotation bracket are the Lenco High Performance and Volvo QL. The Lenco is more than twice as expensive as the Volvo so my question is the following: Can the Volvo trim tab cross a strake that steps down? Their manual shows that it can cross a strake that is in the same horizontal plane but doesn't mention anything about a hull that has "steps" like the Seacraft.

[PackRat]

I would think that if you position it so it is flush with the lower section of the hull, there will always be an exposed portion at the higher step so there will always be lift generated by this section even if you fully retract the blade. This would not be good for high speed trimming and if you want to get the bow up in certain sea conditions / speeds . Do they offer a short length that you can position only over all of the outermost portion of the hull? This is where you want them for heel adjustment anyway. If a small portion of the inboard end is behind the lower step in the hull, this will just be ineffective for most of the stroke of the blade ( maybe all) but the rest of the exposed length may still provide you with plenty enough lift for a given speed range.

I think there are some others who have installed these on 20's so might be able to find them with a search and get their input before you jump at the QL's and put the hole in the transom for the connector.

Can you "elegantly" notch the bracket platform for a standard Bennett or Lenco set? Maybe the appearance is not what you were after not to mention paint patch-work?

Will be interested in how it turns out as I will have the same issue ( that is if I can ever get to finishing my project).

Brian

[McGillicuddy]

Will,
Where and what price are you are you getting on the volvo QL tabs? Half the price of the Lencos sounds like black friday deal. Have you looked at the Lenco edge mount tabs - I thought they were a little over 4 benjamins and only need 11" of clearance.

Regarding the strakes/steps just keep the tab parallel to the outer panel. The inner section that results in being higher than the step will still divert water. Narrower tabs with more chord are also available.

[NoBones]

Originally Posted by wtenglish

Can the Volvo trim tab cross a strake that steps down? Their manual shows that it can cross a strake that is in the same horizontal plane but doesn't mention anything about a hull that has "steps" like the Seacraft.

No Problem...with my Bennett's

[wtenglish]

Packrat, notching the flange under the bracket doesn't concern me as it is rarely exposed to view. I'm dead set against cutting a whole in the actual swim platform for a pass through.

McGillicuddy, I get wholesale through a friend so the QL's are normal but the "high performance" Lenco's have a full upper plate the attaches to the transom so they are much more expensive than any of the standard Lenco's or Bennett's.

Ken, what size tab is that?

[NoBones]

Originally Posted by wtenglish

Ken, what size tab is that?

9 X 24

Will, these big tabs make all the difference on plane...
When I'am trimmed out WOT the only thing in the water
is the tabs with maybe 8 to 10 inches of the bottom of the boat.
It does get a little spooky with the bow riding high!!

[Seacraft84]

I'm with Bones. The bigger the tab the better. I have a set of edge mounts and may replace them this winter for a wider tab. Alwasy could use that little extra tab in some close choppy swell.