Will adding trim tabs help the performance of my boat?-gctid362013

[Guest]

Hi all - I've had a bayliner 2252 cierra for the last 3 years and I use it to fish closely around cape may. I've found trying to take it across the delaware unless the weather is great to be a bit rough.

So much so I've considering selling the boat and getting a center console.

However, I've been wondering if adding trim tabs would help with the performance is getting it across the bay. It is a 2252 '98 with a 5.7 merc i/o.

Any thoughts? Or have I hit the limits of this type of boat.

[Guest]

Trim tabs are a great control advantage when steering a boat. They will help you plane faster, help keep your bow down in windy times, help level your boat from cross winds or inproper weight distribution. You definitly have enough power in your boat to handle trim tabs. You will be amazed at how much they assist you in controlling the boat once you've gained some experience. We have a member here "Tabman" he may help you out with some more info if you private message him. I would go with minimum 10" wide tabs; you won't believe the difference.

I wouldn't go without them on your boat

[Go Aweigh2452]

What Garner said plus I would highly recommend the tabs with drop fins to assist in steering at low speeds. You will be able to maintain plane at a lower rpm too.

[richardson]

With or without tabs when the water is rough you have to slow down. Tabs can help bring the bow down to a better running attitude when running at near planing speed; however, nothing will allow you to run at full cruise in rough water.

[706jim]

richardson wrote:
With or without tabs when the water is rough you have to slow down. Tabs can help bring the bow down to a better running attitude when running at near planing speed; however, nothing will allow you to run at full cruise in rough water.

And just as a specific example of this; my 246 runs best with the tabs down up to about 20mph. The boat rides more level, is easier to keep planing and less power is required. After about 22mph, the tabs should be lifted.

(And one unrelated observation: Cranking the drive trim up above "neutral" doesn't increase the top speed on this particular boat)

[Guest]

Tabs help big time. My first time out with the basic plastic smart tabs I hit a big barge wake and was cringing expecting a big slap and some airtime, but the tabs kept the bow down and we went thru it instead.

The combination of them lowering your planing speed when full down, and keeping the bow in the water more..."cutting" the waves not bouncing on them....really helps the rough water handling.