Trim tabs, head seas, etc

[jacksdad]

For those with SE's (mine is 23) at what point are you using tabs and how many 'taps' get them all the way down? i'm new to this and it bugs me that i can't see how far down the tabs are. i'm constantly wanting to tap and tap again....

Curious about this and any tips you SE guys have for running in 2', 3' and 4'+ seas (i know, just avoid 4'+!).

 

[pmeggers]

Tips for running 23se in 4' seas - don't do it (unless just a casual swell, but not in a stacked 4' chop - that won't be fun).

When I'm running head on into 1-2's or 2-3's I am always at least 2/3's the way down with the tabs.

Sometimes I have a big boner box filled with gear and ice up front, and that much tabbing is not neccessary.

If it works out, and the ride is considerably softer because of it, I will run the tabs 3/4-full.

Everyone gives the SE flack about pounding, but if done correctly, you can adjust it to ride soft in small-scale 2-3's.

 

[DaleH]

While my rig is the 25SC, she is the 14-degree mod-V hull. I find speed to be #1 in regards to how (subjectively) smooth the ride is. I run Bennett trim tabs with the tab level indicators, and I know Lenco makes them, they sure beat guessing!

Now whereas I also run a fuel efficiency computer built-into the fuel line and GPS, I get instantaneous readout of efficiency in miles per gallon (MPG), so I can see what effect the combination of tabs, speed, and course have on my MPG.

FWIW, if in a sea diagonal to my heading, I only use 1 tab on the stern and raise the side of the boat hitting the waves. It increases your MPG 10-20% and smooths out the ride better than if I kept the hull to a level trim. But do NOT do this in big seas ... you don't want to get knocked over by a larger than normal wave :shock: !

 

[pmeggers]

I do the same thing Dale mentioned re: diagonal sea.

I like to keep the windward side up a bit to keep us dry(er)...