Guys,
has anyone installed trim tabs on a 18' bay/center console boat? i am wondering how well they are working for you. i was thinking about getting a set to help my boat get up in really shallow water.

I helped install a set on a Kenner tunnel hull. My friend told me that it seemed to get up a little better in shallow water with them. He didn't make any exaggerated claims, so I guess they help a little.

thanks Randy...

I put tabs on my 19' Bay Warrior, What little help they give me on the hole shot is not worth the drag they have on top end. I wish I didn't drill mine in to the hull, or I'd have them off in a heartbeat. Yes my boat stays on plane at slower speeds, and they shave maybe .5 seconds off the hole shot, but IMHO...not worth the money. Spend your money more wisely, like on booze and women.

TB

I have found myself that trim tabs work well with larger hulls 25 foot and up, on a hole hot type boats, get a foil that mounts to the motor, get a aluminum one not a fiberglass one, i work with glass everyday glass has its limitations it cannot handel the pressures of the prop, saltwater is a lot more dense than fresh and glass foils just wear out from the heavy water passing thru them, under and over, we would mfg fiberglass foils and market them but they would not hold up as long as a aluminum, my 2 cents.

thanks Guys, i already have the foil on the skeg and it helps keeping the boat on plane at lower speeds i was hoping to get a little more help on getting up in really shallow water.

IF ITS A HOLE SHOT YOUE LOOKING FOR TRY A MOTOR WEDGE KIT IF IT WILL FIT. IT TUCKS YOUR LOWER UNIT UNDER FURTHER AND LIFTS THE REAR UP YOUR BOAT UP ALITTLE QUICKER AND YOU CAN TRIM THE MOTOR OUT AFTER YOUR UP AND RUNNING. THERE IS NO DRAG AS YOU WOULD GET FROM TRIM TABS.

thanks Floater will look into that, i have a jack plate on there right now so i will need to find out if you can put the wedge on with one.

when installing transome wedge, it does without a doubt get you on top much faster, but where there is a gain, there is a down fall, and this down fall i have repaired many times, most transome are mfg at 10 to 15 degree out of the mold when you install the wedge you increase the angle by 15% thus your trasome has a 30% more increase in STRESS and was not meant to be, so for that 25.00 wedge set save 20.00 dollars hour run time on your boat, so when you need your transome replaced you may have enough to pay the glass shop.

I HAVE HAD WEDGE SET ON MY BOAT WITH A 250HPDI EVINRUDE FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS AND NOT HAD ANY TROUBLE. MOST BOATS DOWN HERE IN THE SALT WATER USE THEM FOR HOLE SHOTS IN SHALLOW WATER AND I HAVE YET TO SEE THE TRANSOM PEEL. I WOULD TEND TO AGREE WITH THE ADDED STRESS TO THE TRANSOM SO IF IT IS A OLDER BOAT OR A CHEAPLY BUILT BOAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER SANDWICHING THE TRANSOM FOR REINFORCEMENT. THIS CAN BE DONE FOR AROUND 100 TO 350 DOLLARS DEPENDING ON THE MATERIAL USE CHOOSE. MY BOAT HAS A DOUBLE SETBACK JACK PLATE AND IT FIT WITH NO PROBLEMS. IT TOOK ME ABOUT 45 MINUTES TO INSTALL THEM. REMEBER TO CHECK THE BOLTS AFTER THE FIRST USE TO MAKE SURE THEY REMAIN TIGHT.

thanks guys

Don't post much, but not a new member. Just can't for the life of me remember my username/pass. Anyways...

I installed some awhile back. Installation was not too difficult. Holeshot is noticably better. They do not allow me to get up in anything shallower than I did before tabs though.

The main benefit for me has been ride quality once on plane. I can trim the boat level no matter what the conditions - no more having to shift others around in boat. I can also bury the bow into the chop some and cut through rough stuff much more comfortably.

I've just recently discovered that they can be used to keep me drier too. Used to get somewhat sprayed when running on windy days, now I trim the boat up higher on the side the wind is blowing from and it cuts out most of the spray that once would blow right back at me.

Added drag is only a factor when the tabs are deflected, when they are up it's like they aren't even there. This is a non-issue for me.

Here's a pic of the ones I installed on my 2180 Bay Stealth. I agree 100% with Texaus. Great for leveling the load and keeping the spray down. I also gained about 2" in shallow takeoff.

If you notice in the pic, you can see the transom wedges between the jackplate and motor. You gain a little with everything you do.

The biggest gain on mine was having the prop worked by Bauman Marine in Houston. Louie knows props and shallow water. Unless it's buried in the mud, it's near impossible to blow out. It will come out with the skeg hung on bottom.

Trim tabs? Yes
Wedges? Yes
Prop work by Bauman's? Yes

Hey guys I sell boats in corpus christi we are the largest bay boat dealer in the state. tabs won't help you a great deal,single biggest help for you will be engine wedges if seen them make big improvements in cc boats in the length such as your's. (mitchbralley@aol.com) "Standing by"

Hey, great info everyone... does anyone know a good seller for those wedges?