Trim Tab Question-gctid359360

[Chesapeake]

I have a question about trim tabs and using them in reverse. (We will be splashing in about a month and I can try it out then, but I am wondering if anyone has done this.)

I have bennett trim tabs on my boat. And and alpha gen 2 out drive.

Is it possible to make sharp turns in reverse by dropping one of the trim tabs? (For example if you are backing around another boat, the end of a pier, etc.) At backing and low speeds the torque of the prop rotation has a more pronounced affect.

I am thinking, if I am in reverse and drop the starboard tab, then the stern of the boat should pull to starboard.

[Guest]

the tabs arent really big enough to effect this type of action.

[2850Bounty]

Mattmm wrote:
the tabs arent really big enough to effect this type of action.

Agree!

You'd be better off to install a pair of these and hire a Viking! :kidding

[Guest]

Have you tried to hire a Viking these days?

Outrageous what they charge!

Sorry to the OP

[Guest]

I don't think you'd want to be traveling in reverse at the speed it would take to have an effect.------On account of the dock and all.

[2850Bounty]

LazyCrusr wrote:
Have you tried to hire a Viking these days?

Outrageous what they charge!

Sarah, with a Bennett coupon, you can hire two Vikings for two coins per weekend.

[Tabman]

Thor says, "Dropping one Trim Tab to make sharp turns in reverse really won't work. But I will be happy to come use my long oars to spin your boat at a very reasonable price."

[2850Bounty]

Ah, Tab Man has his humor button turned on and up and running this morning! :coo-

On a more serious note, what does Thor know about trim tabs, or turning a power boat for that matter?

[yachtman]

I heard that if you have capitol one credit cards that their vikings will do it free.

[Guest]

Very good guys,,,,,,you're all very humorous today!

[2850Bounty]

yachtman wrote:
I heard that if you have capitol one credit cards that their vikings will do it free.

LazyCrusr wrote:
Very good guys,,,,,,you're all very humorous this morning!

Ya, but Dave takes the prize for this morning! I L'd MAO on that one!

Dave 1

Rick 0

.

[simo]

On a more serious note, I'm going to try this this spring. Why wouldn't it work? Trim tabs aren't a whole lot smaller than rudders. I would think it would work to some extent???

[2850Bounty]

Simo, replace your trim tabs with Bennett's new RDPTAS (Reversing "Drop Plate" Turning Assist System).

Tom will post a demonstration video in the next few days.

[Tabman]

simo wrote:
On a more serious note, I'm going to try this this spring. Why wouldn't it work? Trim tabs aren't a whole lot smaller than rudders. I would think it would work to some extent???

Ok, I have my serious Tabman personality on now.

I have tried what you are proposing and yes on some smaller boats you can feel a little difference, but not as much as you would expect. I think that since they are acting like a brake versus deflecting waterflow as a rudder does they don't impact the turning very much. Plus then you have to remember to retract the Tab before your next maneuver, it will likely become a bit of a hassle with all the other things going on when docking.

Also, Trim Tabs are made to take extreme pressure from the underside of them when the boat is moving forward. However they are not designed to take lots of load on top of them. We recommend that if you anticipate backing down hard that the Tabs be fully retracted. It is possible to damage your Trim Tabs by stressing them in this manner. If the boat has a solid swim platform it can compound the force on the Trim Tabs when backing down since the water pressure is forced downward by the platform.

I would strongly urge being very gentle if you decide to try this, but would suggest that the risk of damaging the Trim Tabs is really not worth any slight improvement in turning when in reverse.

Tom McGow

Bennett Marine

[2850Bounty]

Since Tom put on his serious face and spoiled the mood..., I'll take over.

Try Bennett's new Bow Thruster system!