Trim tabs for my boat

[bighammer]

Just thought I'd throw this out, but I have a 22' boat ('98 Larson 226 SEI) that I want to put trim tabs on. Is a dual rocker switch better than the joystick? I also wonder if the Bennett Sport Tabs (bat-wing type) are better than a conventional type of a larger size.



The boat probably has a flatter bottom than is ideal for open water, but the price was right. (and I was a new-b idiot with cash at the right time) I'm hoping the trim tabs will help with the pounding on the chop so often present in the Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan waters.



Before I drop some $$$ on these I thought I would solicit the opinions of our TDR boaters.



TIA

 

[B.G. Smith]

Originally posted by bighammer

Just thought I'd throw this out, but I have a 22' boat ('98 Larson 226 SEI) that I want to put trim tabs on. Is a dual rocker switch better than the joystick? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I would consider the floor mounted foot switch, it leaves both hands free to handle the steering in rough water. Can't help on the trim tabs, I did have a 17' 6" bass boat that liked to porpois at lower speeds, I installed one of those fins on the cavitation plate that helped a lot. bg

 

[bighammer]

DOH! More options.

 

[JPope]

With the wing on the lower unit option, one thing you have to be careful of is that overtrimming can create handling and sensitivity issues also, but that is with a light boat.



They also make trim tabs that work automatically in proportion the water pressure from higher speeds, w/o the manual control.



The boats that I have been around with the joy stick switch are harder to operate smoothly than the two rocker switches, especially when you are at speed or in rough water.

My . 02 for what its worth.

 

[bulabula]

I prefer the rockers.

 

[JLEONARD]

Go with the rocker switches. I have the rockers and it's much better than the joystick I had on a previous boat.

Jay

 

[Jerry R]

I have had several brands, rockers and joy sticks. It is much easier to use the rockers once you're get the hang of it. In rough water a joystick is harder to know how far you went if there is a delay in the action of the tab. I currently have a seasport 24' and put larger than stock tabs on it. Boy it's great, but it's a deeper V than you have. The tabs work much better on deeper V's than flat bottoms, but heck, I had them on a c-dory once, it was totally flat. good luck

 

[bighammer]

WOW, great responses. I'm sold on the rocker switches rather than the joystick. The input has already been a huge help.



Am I on the right track that tabs will help handling in rougher waters? The pounding is tiring and SWMBO gets freaked when we're airborne. (I drive like it's a 22' jet ski )



We often have 2-3 foot waves-- Sometimes they turn to 4' for the return trip. The boat does fine, (not a question of safety) but it could be more comfortable.



I'm still pretty new to the boating scene, so the wisdom of of the the seasoned captains is a great help

 

[Jerry R]

They should help that pounding. They simply work by pushing the nose down. You will have to learn to use them with your boat for maximum trimming. Sometimes it actually helps to nose down a bit and pick up the speed. I bet you like that response. It depends on the characteristics of your hull. It will really help the most with the leaning one way or the other while crossing wakes or people moving around in the boat. If your boat takes a while to get on plane,with people on board, they also will help with that. You will never own another boat without them.