Upsizing trim tabs - advice?

[Tabman]

Boykster,

When the ATC makes the boat list to port, if you left it on do you think it would end up heeling the boat way over to port. i.e. port the starboard Trim Tab all the way down? Or is the boat just assuming a slight list to port?

Is the EIC set up so the left hand buttons operate the starboard Trim Tab and visa versa?

Lastly, is the ATC control module horizontal and parallel to the center-line of the boat?

Tom
Bennett Marine

 

[Bob & Sue]

Great write up I have been waiting for your trial run results sounds like I'll be going with the 24x12's also. I have already purchased the EIC and ATC will be getting the planes soon. Really interested in hearing the results on the ATC from what I've read getting it parrallel and horizontal is critical I have a digital angle finder that I will use to find zero while in the water before mounting ATC. What method did you use or going to try now? The results should also get better GPH with less friction from the tabs sure could have used the new tabs coming in last night ahead of the storm went from 1' wind waves to 3'-4' chop in about 15 minutes with a 10-15 knot tail wind from Alki Point to Tacoma then a container ship put out about a 6' wake near Des Moines one of the most intense rides in we've had. Again great write up.

 

[boykster]

Tabman - The controls are hooked up properly - left buttons operates starboard tab and vice versa. It doesn't seem that it would keep heeling the boat all the way to port, just keeps correcting to a slight list. I'm pretty sure it's an installation issue.

I just eyeballed straight and flat, and I did the installation while the boat was in a cradle, not in the water. I also mounted it pretty high up (just under the highest point of my dash) so that could be the issue as well. Its clear the system is 'working' and not just malfunctioning, it's just not finding center quite right. I have a good spot just below the helm in the engine room that is completely level, has a good reference to the centerline of the boat, and is dry. It's about 4-5' from the dash in 'wire length', so it should be a good spot to move the sensor to. I'm going to the marina tuesday to do some pre-winterizing cleaning, and I'll move it then and if time and weather permits I'll do a second test run. If not, it will likely have to wait for spring.

I can't stress how much of a difference the larger tabs made - I honestly can't remember a recent cruise where I didn't have at least 1 of the tabs fully extended. Yesterday they were both between 1/3 to 1/2 extended and the boat was at a better angle than I could previously get with tabs alone. It's super nice having the EIC indicators and being able to see where things are too....

Bob - what time were you out by Alki? We headed back to Edmonds from down in Elliott Bay right around 2pm or so - it had gone from completely flat/calm when we left Edmonds to persistent 1-2' chop and wicked cross currents. We also got hit by a massive wake up by Golden Gardens from a container ship that was heading south. Not fun....

 

[Bob & Sue]

We left Alki about 5:00 we did some trolling for silvers about 6:00 it started getting bad made it to Tacoma at 8:30 should have been a 45 minute trip back in on Friday we were out all day just like glass silvers were hitting like crazy. Nothing like Puget Sound for boating.