Speed over water and trim tab indicator

[stwendl]

Anyone found a solution or need to display speed in the water and trim tab position indicators.

I recently took a test ride on a new r27 and found the lack of these displays inconvenient, coming from a sailboat having all kinds of displays (except trim tabs of course)

How do current owners feel about those indicators and if missing them what have you done about it

 

[Levitation]

I too spent decades as a rag bagger. I too was concerned with speed over the water when in club races.
One microsecond after taking the helm of a Tug I forgot about the, uuuh, whatever it was we were just discussing :mrgreen:

If you think your speed over the water is not quite good enough, throttle up 😉
More seriously, I have not been on a powerboat that has sailboat racing type of instrumentation.
There must be one somewhere, though (shrug)
Trim tab position indicator would be nice - but only if I don't have to pay for it.

 

[knotflying]

Speed over water will tell you what your current may be, but I don't know what other use that will be. As far as trim tab indicators go. I had them on my last boat and although nice to have, I am not sure I would waste dashboard real estate on that.

 

[pleeson]

I added trim tab indicators so I didn't have to guess or go to the rear and check their position, and I never really knew if one was markedly different than the other, as in one retracted and the other not. You'd know at speed but not necessarily otherwise, especially with the swim platform in the way. As for figuring out the current or wind effects, after a while you know what RPM gives what speed, and if there is a big change on a given leg that's from wind, wave, and/or current but you'll certainly not have a concise number to work with. Enjoy the journey, it may be better than the destination ... I guess that's the mantra.

 

[Favunclerich]

I've found that it takes ten seconds to fully lower my trim tabs. For traveling above 6.5 knots, I can maximize my efficiency with the trim tabs about 70% down. So when I lower my tabs, I count out seven seconds with my fingers on the switches. This usually has me close to ideal, although I sometimes adjust in a rough sea.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Knowing one's speed through water is actually USEFUL for trolling (fishing).

dave

 

[Todd]

Hav a 2012 R29. Trim tab indicator and auto retract control is available from the manufacture. I was going to install this option but it required the running of some new wires and I thought it not worth the effort. Just count to 10 as stated in above post

 

[stwendl]

Hmm, I don't feel comfortable having to first move to one dead end and then starting to count

 

[snydzy]

Defender shows an NMEA 2000 compatible trim tab indicator that will retrofit all current Bennett trim tabs,... Shows trim tab position on any NMEA MFD...easy to install and economical at $134.99. I'm seriously considering purchasing.

 

[Brian B]

I adjust the trim tabs according to the sea conditions. In calmer waters I watch the GPS speed and how the bow is cutting into the water out the helm window. The deeper the bow is cutting water the GPS speed drops. I make small adjustments to reach optimal speed at the RPM the boat is running at. Also make adjustments to keep the boat on an even keel. In rough water conditions are made for optimal ride, not speed. No indicators necessary.

 

[TUG-A-BAGO]

Actually, speed is quite important if traveling in open water. Depending on the electronics you purchase with your boat, your speed will be determined by GPS and / or sonar. I would also suggest that you run your boat between two known points (similar to mile markers) at different RPMs. RPM X time = Distance. Make yourself a chart with your data
If your electronics should fail in open water, you will know the approx. distance you travel using RPMs and a timer. This knowledge, combined with a chart and course should give you a rough idea of your location. Providing you have kept track where you have been (Dead Reckoning). This could prevent a serious situation.