Trim Tabs - necessary on 32ft twin Shaftdrive Flybridge Boat?

[TommieDee]

Just had offer accepted on Beneteau Antares 9.80 (twin Nannis) last week.

Being in the Isle of Man, i havent been able to see the actual boat yet, but am going down for survey/sea trial next week.

I have just spotted that the boat doesnt have trim tabs (i thought they were standard so completely missed this until now).

I know the 9.80 has a nice ride and good balance. MBM Report in 2003 even said they didnt need to apply tabs at all whilst on test.

The Questions I have now are

1. Do I need tabs on this boat?

2. If i buy it, would the fact it doesnt have tabs affect my chances of resale?

3. if i need to get tabs (but still buy this boat), what are forumites thoughts on QL tabs versus the traditional tabs?

4. am i mad to be even considering a 32ft flybridge (twin shafts) without tabs?

HELP! This is my first own (as opposed to family) boat and dont want to mess up the first purchase!

Thanks
Tom

 

[Whitelighter]

I would suggest that being high sided (flybridge) and reletively light trim tabs would definitly be needed in any kind of cross wind.

On the questions above, I rate the QL tabs highly. We fit them to all our boats and they are much better than the standard bannetts type. Much more resposive and the auto system that now comes packaged with them is superb.

 

[TommieDee]

Jez

Thanks for that. I am a bit concerned now that i missed this and wondering should i pull out of sale.

Brokers say there is a big lead time in getting QL tabs from Volvo. He suggests that Lencos work just as well. Ever come across these (they seem to be the "traditional" tab).

Are you aware of any major issues in retrofitting tabs?

Thanks Tom

 

[Divemaster1]

think I heard that the QL system mainly gets into force effectively around 18 - 20 knots ... slower boats will therefore probably benefit from the "traditional" style trimtabs ..., which works displacement speeds and above...

 

[Whitelighter]

From what I understand Lencos work well - in fact the Absolute dealer for the UK prefers them over the QL's. I wouldnt pull out of the deal on this basis - Beneteau know what they are doing so the boat must be ok without them.

Maybe re-negotiate a bit for the dealer to fit them or contribute.

In answer to the second post, QL tabs actually work even better at slower speeds. On our 24 and 34 it is noticible and will keep the boat on the plane down to 11 knts (24) and about 14 knts (34). much better than the bennetts style tabs.

 

[volvopaul]

The ql tabs were fitted to a broom 44 last year, they were no good at all, they are designed for faster planing and lighter boats, the traditional type of plate tabs are more suitable for a slower planing or semi disp hull.

I wouldnt be put off buying this boat because its not got tabs, just get some off the price to fir them at a later date.

I agree with Jezz, they will be usefull in the wind or if you have guests on board that will upset the balance of the ride, buy auto ones then they will come into there own at sea.

You will have more time to pay attention to any safety aspects of boating then, like making sure you have enough ice on board for your guests g and ts!

 

[TommieDee]

Guys

Thanks for these replies.

Can you buy auto traditional tabs- or is it just auto QL?

Tom

 

[Whitelighter]

You can. While the QL tabs are probably the neatest install (and I think the most cost effective if you want auto as the come in one box) you can buy an auto system from Bennetts for their hydralic tabs which is an add on box but is quite pricey - web site is here

I dont know if Lenco do a similar system, but I guess it would be pretty easy to find out.

 

[spannerman]

Princess now fit Lenco as standard, we just had a V65 delivered with them on.

 

[stefan_r]

I have the QLs...only seatrialled once due to the shyyyyyte weather recently.

Very, very responsive...through from 10knots to 40knots...very happy with them....just want to use them more!!!

Not sure about lead time I got mine almost overnight.

I have, however, read some reports recently about failures. Like this month MBY and the Prinz test (I think) the QLs failed....and I have read this in a few boat tests. It is good to hear that Jez doesn't have problems with his...

 

[Nick_H]

If you like the boat and are happy with the deal I certainly wouldn't pull out cos it doesn't have tabs. I wouldn't even necessarily rush and have them fitted straight away, why not try the boat and see if you think it needs them?

I agree with others, try and get a bit off the price towards having them fitted.

 

[oceanfroggie]

Our boat is 39ft and doesn't have trim tabs. The hull was designed to work without them. I wouldn't be put off if she is a nice boat and what you are looking for.

 

[pissativlypossed]

[ QUOTE ]
Our boat is 39ft and doesn't have trim tabs. The hull was designed to work without them. I wouldn't be put off if she is a nice boat and what you are looking for.


[/ QUOTE ]

Whilst I agree that you shouldn't be put off from buying the boat, I was also informed by the dealer that our boat (a Prestige 36) didn't need trim tabs, and we were happy enough for 4 years without them,but I decided to have them fitted this year and it has made a great imrovement to the ride in rough seas especially into the wind and chop. Trimming the bow down gives a much smother ride and we now venture out in much worse conditions then we would have done!

I would not want to be without them.

 

[Roadhog]

I am lookingn at similar craft now with a veiw to purchase and have come across a similar question. I am interested in a Rodman that does not have Tabs either - but is twin shaft Flybridge. The reports/tests I have read say that in rougher seas and windier conditions they- trim tabs "inspire confidence" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and "enhance stability" but that the boats from manufacturers like Ben and Rodm etc are very capable without - so its not a "must have" its a nice to have! So agree with advice - still buy if its a decent vessel, but try to get a bit off for retrofit should you decide you need to fit later.
Good luck with the survey and trials - I am off to see my target Saturday!

 

[Wiggo]

[ QUOTE ]
I am lookingn at similar craft now with a veiw to purchase and have come across a similar question. I am interested in a Rodman that does not have Tabs either - but is twin shaft Flybridge. The reports/tests I have read say that in rougher seas and windier conditions they- trim tabs "inspire confidence" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and "enhance stability" but that the boats from manufacturers like Ben and Rodm etc are very capable without - so its not a "must have" its a nice to have! So agree with advice - still buy if its a decent vessel, but try to get a bit off for retrofit should you decide you need to fit later.
Good luck with the survey and trials - I am off to see my target Saturday!

[/ QUOTE ]
Probably a lot of old tosh. We have tabs and to be honest they make bugger all difference to the ride in terms of fore/aft trimming (although they can rob a knot or two if you get them wrong). They are useful for side to side trim given the windage. I suspect the lack of fore/aft effect for us is down the amount of crap we carry - there's 250kg of crane and tender sat on the blunt end, along with 100kg of ballast to keep her level.

Of course, YMMV, so do the seatrial bit. They aren't expensive to retrofit.

 

[DavidJ]

We've got the electric flappy trim tabs (standard fitting) on the Sealine S37. I don't need them to get on the plane and the only time I use them is to correct for side wind and to correct when everyone on board huddles on the same side to chat. I feel it's a bit off to expect your guests to distribute themselves evenly to get the trim right.