Backing down hard

[JimmyG]

Ok I was playing around today with my new set up and since it was calm in the bay I figured I would see how hard I could back down (preparing for next summer White marlin fishing lol) If i pushed it any harder I could have put the transom under, I had water coming through the hawser holes this never happened with my last 31 not sure if its the props sucking her down or the over size trim tabs....any thoughts???

[CaptPatrick]

Sounds like tabs to me Jimmy... Make double sure that the tabs are all the way up before backing down and watch that lead foot with those barn doors.

[JimmyG]

Sounds like tabs to me Jimmy... Make double sure that the tabs are all the way up before backing down and watch that lead foot with those barn doors.

They are big tabs (12 x 30) and I installed them as shown on the directions a 1/2 inch above parallel at back of the tab do you think i should raise it or go with a smaller tab....i gots to go fast backwards

[CaptPatrick]

I think I'd go smaller... With that power plant you have, you shouldn't have much trouble keeping your nose down, just enough tab to balance your lateral load.

[JP Dalik]

You running dqx wheels? They add lift fwd and will dig in reverse. Chimera would put water thru the hausers but not over the transom. Were you full fuel and real light in the nose? It made a difference in the old boat.

[JimmyG]

You running dqx wheels? They add lift fwd and will dig in reverse. Chimera would put water thru the hausers but not over the transom. Were you full fuel and real light in the nose? It made a difference in the old boat.

Yes full of fuel and light in the nose and i'm using Acme 4 blades with a heavy cup

[JimmyG]

I talked to Bennit Trim tab co. support and found out why i had issues backing down hard, he said the springs are rated at 80 pounds after that the tabs are pulled down to there lowest position he told me to add 2 more rams on each tab and it will take 220 pounds to pull them down and i'm going to go from 30" x 12" to 12' X 9" also

[CaptPatrick]

Jimmy,

If you go to 12' X 9", surly you don't need 3 rams per tab????

[Bruce]

Jimmy,

If you go to 12' X 9", surly you don't need 3 rams per tab????

I hope thats not the case. Never saw anything like that on that size tab. If thats what they recomended, i'd ditch the hydraulic for either electric/screw drive or Q tabs. I replaced a bunch of broken pins on their cylinders from heavy back downs over the years.

[JimmyG]

Jimmy,

If you go to 12' X 9", surly you don't need 3 rams per tab????

No they recommended 3 for the tabs i have (30" x12") I determined it was a over kill to put those big tabs on so i'm going to try 12" x9" with two rams....any thoughts

[CaptPatrick]

Give 'em a try and see how they do...