Got Boat

[richson]

Now I got the boat, better start finding a few things out about her. Like the flaps hanging out the arse end. I know they're trim tabs, but what do they do? They go up and down in the marina when I play about with the joystick thingy, but at sea bugger all happens to the boat. Do I just forget about 'em most of the time?
There's this little guage with a picture of a boat on it with up and down arrows at the pointy end - that seems to do nowt as well. What sort of boats need trim tabs, and what conditions are they supposed to be used in?

 

[hlb]

Yuv gota get up to about 20 knots before owt happens.
The subjects been done trillions of times.
Somebody tell him!!

Haydn

 

[Guest]

Oh all right then here goes. Normal approach speed flaps up is what around 75 knots and a 1,000 foot per minute descent? OK so far? Right well pop the flaps out, the approach speed drops to say 60 knots, rate of descent decreases so you can stick the nose down a bit further and oh err I think I'm getting a bit confused. Can someone help out here...

 

[byron]

Best way to observe trim tabs working:- Stick two fat people on starboard side and ask them to make love, you will note the boat leans to starboard, run boat up to 20 or so knots and operate starboard tab. You will not the craft loses tendency to lean to the right and levels up. NB. This works equally well if you place the people on port side and you use port tab.

©2001

 

[hlb]

Also handy when lost articals are found under fridge, cooker ect.
Operate tabs till things roll out from under said fridge cooker ect!!

Haydn

 

[Guest]

Could Richson please moderate his language. It is unpleasant for readers and it has inhibited my replying. This site has already had to be closed down once.

 

[jollyjacktar]

Unbelievable

Hi Rich person.
Just so to get you going the right way. Remember that your boat is a front wheel drive and unlike most other boats you must drive it with the pointy bit behind. You will find it much easier to drive and see where you are going and then you will find those flappy things will help you to steer as well. However you may get a bit of a pain in the neck turning your head all the time but then you will appreciate what you are.
Happy boating and keep your powder dry.

 

[byron]

I didn't find anything to object in Richson's use of everyday language. No 'F' words or similar.

©2001

 

[Guest]

The 'F' word was used - flaps. I hope no further elaboration is required.

 

[hlb]

Poor Bugger.
Bet you dont ask anymore sensible questions on this site.

Haydn

 

[Guest]

Once planing (say18+ knots) then setting the flap down will point the nose down. Also can adjust boat straight when wind/waves from the side. At low speed they do nowt. The others are being a bit horrid, but never mind. Ask the broker/salesperson to find a teachy person (yerl have to pay him) who can go out with you for a day or so and find what's what.

 

[richson]

Re: Unbelievable

Hi Joylessjacktar,

The (new user) post status should indicate something to you. There are plenty of tongue-in-cheek and self-denigrating posts on this forum. Maybe I should not have made any attempt to get into the spirit of this and should have simply headed my post "What are trim tabs?"
Of course I know what trim tabs are and in theory what they do, but is that any reason why I should not ask experienced boaters for their particular opinion? - I think not. I am sorry if my first post gave you a pain in the neck, but I have heard that dipping your head in a bucket of water helps . . . .