Interceptor trim tabs

[Jwatson]

I have a 1979 53’ Sportfish. The original trim tabs have not been there since I have owned the boat. I normally cruise at 16 kts and 10-13 kts when not in a hurry. She has Series 60s Detroits and is capable of going much faster, but I generally go at those lower speeds for fuel considerations. I am happy with the ride at those speeds, yet I do notice the bow is a little high once I get into the 15 kt range. I am thinking of adding interceptor trim tabs like those made by hydrotab or zipwake. I am leaning toward hydrotab as they are air powered and seem less likely to fail and require less maintanance. Any thoughts if it is worth the cost to install these type of trim tabs? Does anyone with a 53’ have them? Do interceptors work for the slower speeds or are they mainly for higher speed planing vessels? Thanks!

 

[rsmith]

That boat definitely needs tabs. Can’t imagine why someone would take them off. Take a look at zip wake supposed to work and are a kinda stabilizer too. 60 series is the ultimate engine in that boat. I had a friend repowered with them and it was a 24 knot boat. 700 hp 60’s from what I remember

 

[Cricket]

So I put Zipwakes on our 32 CC. Bow will go over further than the high performance Bennett's we took off. Still trying to figure how to pre-program them and then actually use them correctly.
Was going to use those blades, and some others, for the Hatt, just didn't get around to installing them because of the modifications needed to create a flat vertical area to mount them. I'm a little worried using the standard Zips as the application is border line compared to the taller and faster bigger boat units. On the CC we used 3/8" G10 and epoxy putty to create a flat mounting area as the transom has a pretty big curve. Tapped the G10 for the mounting bolts so we didn't have to thru bolt them.

 

[rsmith]

So I put Zipwakes on our 32 CC. Bow will go over further than the high performance Bennett's we took off. Still trying to figure how to pre-program them and then actually use them correctly.
Was going to use those blades, and some others, for the Hatt, just didn't get around to installing them because of the modifications needed to create a flat vertical area to mount them. I'm a little worried using the standard Zips as the application is border line compared to the taller and faster bigger boat units. On the CC we used 3/8" G10 and epoxy putty to create a flat mounting area as the transom has a pretty big curve. Tapped the G10 for the mounting bolts so we didn't have to thru bolt them.

G10?what’s that?

 

[jmooney]

G10?what’s that?

Fiberglass sheet made with epoxy. GPO3 is fiberglass sheet made from polyester resin. Comes in a lot of thickness. The thicker, the more expensive. G10 is green, GPO3 is red . It is used in industry as an electrical insulator. Great stuff.

 

[Cricket]

We've used them both, been using more G3 lately because the G10 jumped in price so much.