Boat Builder Central - Builder Forums

I have 130hours on my c19 and she is great. One thing I would like to improve is her into-chop performance, any suggestions on how I can keep the bow down a bit, I don't have much weight up the front and into chop the bow tends to come up a bit and she smacks down in the middle, when the nose is down she cuts through pretty good. Was wondering if trim tabs would be the go?? I have the moter trimmed right down.
Cheers
MarkC

nm

A boat that size needs trim tabs. Weight up front would help, until it's time to turn around and come home in a following sea.

I'm in the same boat so to speak with my p21. I'm seriously considering trim tabs for next year. Anybody out their put tabs on their "C" or "P" series boat. If so did they improve performance?

Thnaks Jody

Yeh Larry, I recon that trim tabs are the go so will put some on.
Re some weight up front, my son is 110kgs, he doesn't enjoy the ride up front to much in the rough.
Any suggestions re trim tabs, hydraulic or electric? Don't know much about them except for what I have googled?
Cheers
MarkC

The volume in the bow of the C19 is such that it is never going to cut through the chop like a CS series. I can trim the motor on my P19 past the horizontal to push down the bow, at the expense of a few mph. This helps keep the ride more comfortable in small-chop conditions. However, in anything more than an 18" sea I always slow down. The boat will ride over just about anything at 10-12 knots. You just don't get there as fast. They are not exactly the same boat, but I don't think you will be happy with the gains you get from trim tabs on the C19 hull.

That fat bow has another side effect that is useful. The P19 has almost no tendancy to bow steer, even when I deliberately drive it fairly steep wakes. The lift is such that it immediately drives you up over the top before you get much change in direction.

If you decide on trim tabs, my experience is that hydrualics are easier to repair if they ever need it. You must have room in the stern for the pump, though. They only thing that I've seen go wrong are the solenoids or the switch at the console, not counting the wire connections.

Nothing over 12" wide for your boat. Everyone that's had them put on, braggs about the improved performance.

Ericsil gave the correct response.

Some of our boats have a fine bow and others a fuller bow.
The CS23/25 and MG20 for example are designed for higher speeds and have a finer bow but it makes them more sensitive to potential broaching.
That fine bow is also more difficult to build: see the forefoot slits method used to shape the plywood panels for some of those boats.
As Eric wrote, the C19 fuller bow has advantages but it will also force you to slow down in certain conditions.

You can install trim tabs, it will reduce that problem a little bit but the volume will still be there.

Thanks Jacques,

My main question about tabs is not overall speed. I am wondering if they will help keep me on plane at lower speed. When the chop slows me down I fall off plane around 13-15. Also I am interested in whether they will increase my efficency at lower speeds. I am a bit stern heavy when my kicker is strapped on and ride bow high at trolling speed (6-7 knots).

I'd appreciate your thoughts here.

Thanks Jody

Yes, they will help you stay on plane at a lower speed. They have other advantages: correct heeling, reduce sprays by adjusting to local conditions, adjust trim with various weight distribution etc. etc.

I agree. Fat bow or not, I've never seen a boat of any substance that trim tabs didn't improve the handling and ride.

Hmmmm! If any of you C or P owners out there have given them a try, please let the forum know the results. Always like to keep SWMBO as comfortable as possible.

Installing tabs on my Wellcraft 248 was the best thing I ever did to improve the ride. Before tabs she would plow a huge wake up to 3200 rpm/8 knots top speed. Then she'd jump up on plane and run 25 knots. If you'd back off the throttle below 3000rpm/22 knots she fell off plane. Now with tabs I can stay on plane down to 13 or 14 knots. Someone once told me a boat without tabs was like a plane without flaps. Makes sense to me. I agree that hydraulic actuated tabs would be best choice. Electrics and salt water, just don't sound like it's gonna last. Bennitt tabs are what I chose after researching some boating web sites. Get tabs with the most area you can fit. That way minimum deflection will yield good lift with less drag. You'll be amazed at the difference.

I agree with you Dave, Bennett hydraulics are by far the best. The Lenco electric tabs have a poor service history in my area. They will cost about $1,000, but will pay for themselves in fuel savings.

The only reason I don't have them on my OD18 is that I run in too much shallow water with oyster beds and I'm sure I would damage them in a month. I wouldn't have a deep water boat without them.

Thanks Mecdave, that sounds like my boat exactely. Guess I'll splurge for the tabs this summer and report back.

Jody