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Author Topic:   Dauntless 13: Installing Trim Tabs

nnk jim posted 12-26-2008 09:43 AM ET (US)
Have trim tabs ever been installed on a 13-foot Dauntless? If so, give me any comments and suggestions. I have had a Boston Whaler DAUNTLESS 13 for 11 years, but I wish to smooth out the ride when the water isn't perfectly flat.
jimh posted 12-26-2008 10:14 AM ET (US)
Installing trim tabs on the transom of a Boston Whaler boat is often complicated by the design of the transom and its lack of a uniform surface. An article in the Reference section shows some of the solutions which have been employed to install trim tabs on the transom of generally larger hulls, but these same problems may exist on a 13-foot hull. See:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/trimTabs.html
Trim tabs are useful for correcting side-to-side trim, but in a boat as small as a 13-footer you can often achieve this by shifting weight, such as moving a passenger or yourself laterally to affect the trim.
nnk jim posted 12-26-2008 10:34 AM ET (US)
maybe I am going after the wrong solution. i am not worried about left/right balancing, but up/down motion. since most of the weight is in the stern, any slight chop or wave starts a harmonic motion which continues.
when two people are on the boat, having one in the front works, and other suggestions is to put 100 lbs or so of weight in the front, but thought trim tabs could be a more 'elegant' although more expensive solution.
fishgutz posted 12-26-2008 10:39 AM ET (US)
Trim tabs on a Dauntless 13 are overkill. Install a Doel-fin. Fewer holes to drill. Less reliance on electro-mechanical parts. It will smooth our your ride. I have a Doel-fin on my Dauntless 14. Improves holeshot, smooths out the ride in a chop. Holds better and far more control in a turn and/or in a nasty chop. Trim your motor out for speed and in for acceleration and control in chop and turns. An added bonus is the smooth acceleration you can do with one. No more wide open throttle to get up on plane. I can accelerate slowly and smoothly. Simplicity is perfection.
nnk jim posted 12-26-2008 03:34 PM ET (US)
Fishgutz - thanks. Was thinking trim tabs weren't the best solution. Looked at the doelfin and also found the permatrim, which may be better.
as this is my wife's boat, and if i can't steady the ride, i may be forced to get something larger for her! (she has had it for twelve years, but all of a sudden this is problem!)
Sincerely appreciate the info, Happy New Years and good fishing. I went out yesterday - lower Potomac River so very cold, but rockfish seemed to have migrated south!
jrjbooger3 posted 12-29-2008 03:04 PM ET (US)
Try looking at smart tabs. I just put them on my 15 dauntless and took the fin off my motor, and what a difference it made. When I get the time to go through all my data i will post all of it. The smart tabs do what they claim, get you up faster, higher top end, and they act as shocks on the back. It is like adding a few feet to your boat. my father in law and a good buddy of mine are putting them on their boats after ridding in mine.
David1877 posted 01-06-2009 11:47 PM ET (US)
I had a Daunt 13. They ride a bit rough.
I doubt trim tabs will give you the desired outcome.
svwalkabout posted 01-11-2009 12:57 PM ET (US)
I secont SmarTabs. I put them on a 1969 13 footer last year and haven't looked back. I am using the 30lb struts with the poly tabs and I actually decreased the force on the tabs by one hole as they were really holding the bow down. If you have any questions, give Nauticus (SmarTabs parent company) a call and I think you will find that they are very helpful. I ended up centering mine on the outboard strakes to get them as far outboard as possible.

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Author	Topic: Dauntless 13: Installing Trim Tabs
nnk jim	posted 12-26-2008 09:43 AM ET (US) Have trim tabs ever been installed on a 13-foot Dauntless? If so, give me any comments and suggestions. I have had a Boston Whaler DAUNTLESS 13 for 11 years, but I wish to smooth out the ride when the water isn't perfectly flat.
jimh	posted 12-26-2008 10:14 AM ET (US) Installing trim tabs on the transom of a Boston Whaler boat is often complicated by the design of the transom and its lack of a uniform surface. An article in the Reference section shows some of the solutions which have been employed to install trim tabs on the transom of generally larger hulls, but these same problems may exist on a 13-foot hull. See: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/trimTabs.html Trim tabs are useful for correcting side-to-side trim, but in a boat as small as a 13-footer you can often achieve this by shifting weight, such as moving a passenger or yourself laterally to affect the trim.
nnk jim	posted 12-26-2008 10:34 AM ET (US) maybe I am going after the wrong solution. i am not worried about left/right balancing, but up/down motion. since most of the weight is in the stern, any slight chop or wave starts a harmonic motion which continues. when two people are on the boat, having one in the front works, and other suggestions is to put 100 lbs or so of weight in the front, but thought trim tabs could be a more 'elegant' although more expensive solution.
fishgutz	posted 12-26-2008 10:39 AM ET (US) Trim tabs on a Dauntless 13 are overkill. Install a Doel-fin. Fewer holes to drill. Less reliance on electro-mechanical parts. It will smooth our your ride. I have a Doel-fin on my Dauntless 14. Improves holeshot, smooths out the ride in a chop. Holds better and far more control in a turn and/or in a nasty chop. Trim your motor out for speed and in for acceleration and control in chop and turns. An added bonus is the smooth acceleration you can do with one. No more wide open throttle to get up on plane. I can accelerate slowly and smoothly. Simplicity is perfection.
nnk jim	posted 12-26-2008 03:34 PM ET (US) Fishgutz - thanks. Was thinking trim tabs weren't the best solution. Looked at the doelfin and also found the permatrim, which may be better. as this is my wife's boat, and if i can't steady the ride, i may be forced to get something larger for her! (she has had it for twelve years, but all of a sudden this is problem!) Sincerely appreciate the info, Happy New Years and good fishing. I went out yesterday - lower Potomac River so very cold, but rockfish seemed to have migrated south!
jrjbooger3	posted 12-29-2008 03:04 PM ET (US) Try looking at smart tabs. I just put them on my 15 dauntless and took the fin off my motor, and what a difference it made. When I get the time to go through all my data i will post all of it. The smart tabs do what they claim, get you up faster, higher top end, and they act as shocks on the back. It is like adding a few feet to your boat. my father in law and a good buddy of mine are putting them on their boats after ridding in mine.
David1877	posted 01-06-2009 11:47 PM ET (US) I had a Daunt 13. They ride a bit rough. I doubt trim tabs will give you the desired outcome.
svwalkabout	posted 01-11-2009 12:57 PM ET (US) I secont SmarTabs. I put them on a 1969 13 footer last year and haven't looked back. I am using the 30lb struts with the poly tabs and I actually decreased the force on the tabs by one hole as they were really holding the bow down. If you have any questions, give Nauticus (SmarTabs parent company) a call and I think you will find that they are very helpful. I ended up centering mine on the outboard strakes to get them as far outboard as possible.