Bennett Bolt Trim Tabs on a 16 Angler
- Thread starter Hooks
- Start date
Hi 16 Angler (HooKs) -- My boat Blueback is also a 16 ' Angler and no way in gods green earth or blue sea would I complex my simple straight forward 16' Angler with trim taps. Reasons: 1 - it is not stern heavy 2- it can be simply trimmed by shifting weight or passengers. 3- You may consider a Permatrim (hydrofoil) which eliminates drilling holes in you transom--(never open up new holes in your transom unless you have a very good reason). I had a dolphfin but when I re-powered I left it off, as I was never convinced it was required on a sport fishing boat. Sky boats yes. Anyway its your call and you may have a reason I have missed.Hooks":2i8kgxkx said:
Marco Flamingo
Active member
I second Blueback that trim tabs are a solution of last resort. What is your setup and what is the issue you hope to fix with trim tabs?
Mark
Mark
Hooks":wlls6b4n said:
I am a bit biased, but I think Trim Tabs are a great idea on a smaller boat. Since the 16 is much more affected by weight distribution that say a 22 having adjustable Tabs really handy. Down in FL all the small flats boats 16-16 and up feet have adjustable Tabs for just that reason.
Our instructions http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/BOLT_OwnerInstallmanual.092315-WEB.pdf call for the Tabs to be 3-4 inches from the chine, but I would be comfortable putting them as close as 2 inches on your boat.
Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
Whilst I appreciated your point of view and your bias. I will ask you one question. If you weigh 160lb, as I do, and you have a 210 lb passenger, you have 2 or more options. Shift tackle box, ice chest and cannon balls to the starboard side of the boat-presto your trimmed out. Or-- use as you recommend a trim tab in this case a port tab to trim out the weight imbalance. But trimming in that manner means a percentage of drag on the port side is introduced with the tab by deflecting it to elevate that side. Don't forget we in the Pacific Northwest do a lot of sport fishing-crabbing/prawns, etc. and that means we have the ability to trim by shifting ballast--er gear--LOLTabman":11a2vqjn said:
Blueback":2afz2jzz said:
Yes, you have a point, but if you move the weight around, then the passengers have to stay in the same place all the time. If the Tabs are the right size the drag is pretty small.
But you guys know your boats and how you are using them best! So I of course deffer to your expertise
But if it were my boat. . .
Tom
Although my tendency for smaller boats is a foil, like a Permatrim. I highly respect Tom from Bennett--and the reason I would go with trim tabs, is to level athwartship, which a foil will not do. My experience in boats this size, (including solom water skiing behind a 25 and 35 hp outboards( when that was all that was available), was that most boats did fine with no tab, or foil. In 13 to 14 foot RIBs we did find a foil necessary with big loads.
A lot would depend on the weight carried, where you carry--all fuel, and battery, plus bait tank aft--then I would see where foil/tabs would be necessary...
A lot would depend on the weight carried, where you carry--all fuel, and battery, plus bait tank aft--then I would see where foil/tabs would be necessary...
Blueback's comments are exactly how I feel about it. 'Feel' is the operative word. I love the 16 footer for what it is. Granted, when I first set foot on one its side to side reminded me of our 18 foot canoe . Soon I hardly noticed it, and, when I did it felt good, knowing that I was on the water in a boat I loved. Hey, do what you want, it's your boat. More power to you. Me, when I would leave the dock, I would just smile and shout, "Rock on Little Boat".
I appreciate all of the feedback.
I weigh about 200, and often fish alone.
My kicker is port with a 12 gallon tank and my bait well is starboard with two batteries. The boat obviously lists, and using ballast and gear isn't really a great option when it's rough. It also doesn't work when I take the family/friends out.
I fish out of Santa Cruz where it is often rough (one direction or the other), and keeping the bow down and the boat level is a must, which a permatrim just doesn't do. Without tabs in this scenario I have to sit in the passenger seat. Try that for a couple hours....not being able to work the throttle.
A permatrim. Helps for sure, but doesn't address the listing.
I understand the concern over holes in the transom, but over drilling, filling and bedding is a pretty robust approach. Under separate heading I will ask about through hull fittings and transducers, which I'm also researching.
I love my little boat and push it pretty hard. The tabs will really make the rough rides back in more tolerable.
I really appreciate the discussion on the topics. The tinkering and problem solving is a fun part of owning a boat.
I weigh about 200, and often fish alone.
My kicker is port with a 12 gallon tank and my bait well is starboard with two batteries. The boat obviously lists, and using ballast and gear isn't really a great option when it's rough. It also doesn't work when I take the family/friends out.
I fish out of Santa Cruz where it is often rough (one direction or the other), and keeping the bow down and the boat level is a must, which a permatrim just doesn't do. Without tabs in this scenario I have to sit in the passenger seat. Try that for a couple hours....not being able to work the throttle.
A permatrim. Helps for sure, but doesn't address the listing.
I understand the concern over holes in the transom, but over drilling, filling and bedding is a pretty robust approach. Under separate heading I will ask about through hull fittings and transducers, which I'm also researching.
I love my little boat and push it pretty hard. The tabs will really make the rough rides back in more tolerable.
I really appreciate the discussion on the topics. The tinkering and problem solving is a fun part of owning a boat.
South of Heaven
New member
I'd love to see some pics of your boat and CA waters. All I know is New England water!
I'll get some photos up soon. I wish I had footage of my runs back in after fishing for bluefin this year....pretty cool!
Still figuring out how to post photos.
I'm not saying it's necessarily rougher....just that being able to keep the bow down and the boat level with or without passengers means more fishing time.
Still figuring out how to post photos.
I'm not saying it's necessarily rougher....just that being able to keep the bow down and the boat level with or without passengers means more fishing time.