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Author Topic:   Trim Tabs for a 130 sport

rickhassinger posted 05-08-2009 11:35 AM ET (US)
I recently purchased an 09 130 whaler.....After driving in it a few times, alone and with another person, I've found that I am uncomfortable with a few things. Alone, at slow speeds there is a pronounced list to starboard.....and, it takes a long time and works very hard to plane. With another person the torque of the motor tends to cause listing to the port side.....planing also takes even longer. But, it is a hoot to drive and I want to find a way around these issues.
I'm thinking about putting Trim tabs on it to obviate these, I'm sure, normal handling qualities.
Has anybody done this before? Did it help, little or alot? What problems did you run into? Did you use Hydro or Elect actuators? What size did you find worked best in terms of length and width? Are you aware of any Whaler Engineering testing on a 130 with trim tabs?
Any and all advice welcome.

Tohsgib posted 05-08-2009 11:37 AM ET (US)
A 13' boat should not need tabs and tab company will probably tell you the same. Try a doel-fin first for $30.
PeteB88 posted 05-09-2009 12:03 PM ET (US)
I don't have a 130 but I do have a classic 13. I think you have to fool around with motor position and weight and balance. I assume you have a 40 Merc. Huron Bob has that set up and his boat works great. Doel Fin is option. Keep us posted.
R T M posted 05-09-2009 01:25 PM ET (US)
Setup is critical to a 13 foot Whaler. I`m still working on mine. Any outboard that weighs more than 125lb. will overload the transom and cause transom squat on take off, and sometime will cause porpoising when on plane. My 25 Merc/Tohatsu at 157lbs. is one of the litest 4 strokes available, but is causing problems for me. First is the small amount of torque produced at low speed just when you need it to get on plane. Its mounted on a 6" adjustable setback bracket and various height settings have been tested. It does best when the cavitation plate runs out of the water about 1/4" when planing. this may seam radical but its seems to be the best position, and doesn`t cavitate, and seems a little quicker coming up to plane, too. Here is a pic. of the set up.
[url]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/floridaboy2053/Whaler%20with%20Mercury/Merclowerunit.jpg[/url
The leading edge of the gearcase is 16" from the transom. and the cavitation plate is 2" higher than the bottom of the boat when a straightedge is run along the bottom.
The next thing is I will try a Sting Ray Jr. stabilizer and see how that works.
http:/ / www. basspro. com/ webapp/ wcs/ stores/ servlet/ Product_10151_ -1_10001_45204_225011002_225000000_225011000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT
I`m running an 11 inch pitch prop, and might try a 9 inch one. Top speed is good now 30mph at 5400rpm, 20mph at 4000rpm, getting to plane is the big issue.
The boat ran alot better all the way around with my antique 1958 35hp Evinrude Lark, and I believe modern 4 stroke engines don`t work well on a 13 footer. You need the power of a 40hp, but the weight is way too much.
Anyone have any other ideas. The interior is moved forward about 4 inches, fuel tank and batteries are under the rear seat. My heavy teak rear casting platform might become a front casting platform, it fits.
rich'Binkie
R T M posted 05-09-2009 01:29 PM ET (US)
woops
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/floridaboy2053/ Whaler%20with%20Mercury/Merclowerunit.jpg

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Author	Topic: Trim Tabs for a 130 sport
rickhassinger	posted 05-08-2009 11:35 AM ET (US) I recently purchased an 09 130 whaler.....After driving in it a few times, alone and with another person, I've found that I am uncomfortable with a few things. Alone, at slow speeds there is a pronounced list to starboard.....and, it takes a long time and works very hard to plane. With another person the torque of the motor tends to cause listing to the port side.....planing also takes even longer. But, it is a hoot to drive and I want to find a way around these issues. I'm thinking about putting Trim tabs on it to obviate these, I'm sure, normal handling qualities. Has anybody done this before? Did it help, little or alot? What problems did you run into? Did you use Hydro or Elect actuators? What size did you find worked best in terms of length and width? Are you aware of any Whaler Engineering testing on a 130 with trim tabs? Any and all advice welcome.
Tohsgib	posted 05-08-2009 11:37 AM ET (US) A 13' boat should not need tabs and tab company will probably tell you the same. Try a doel-fin first for $30.
PeteB88	posted 05-09-2009 12:03 PM ET (US) I don't have a 130 but I do have a classic 13. I think you have to fool around with motor position and weight and balance. I assume you have a 40 Merc. Huron Bob has that set up and his boat works great. Doel Fin is option. Keep us posted.
R T M	posted 05-09-2009 01:25 PM ET (US) Setup is critical to a 13 foot Whaler. I`m still working on mine. Any outboard that weighs more than 125lb. will overload the transom and cause transom squat on take off, and sometime will cause porpoising when on plane. My 25 Merc/Tohatsu at 157lbs. is one of the litest 4 strokes available, but is causing problems for me. First is the small amount of torque produced at low speed just when you need it to get on plane. Its mounted on a 6" adjustable setback bracket and various height settings have been tested. It does best when the cavitation plate runs out of the water about 1/4" when planing. this may seam radical but its seems to be the best position, and doesn`t cavitate, and seems a little quicker coming up to plane, too. Here is a pic. of the set up. [url]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/floridaboy2053/Whaler%20with%20Mercury/Merclowerunit.jpg[/url The leading edge of the gearcase is 16" from the transom. and the cavitation plate is 2" higher than the bottom of the boat when a straightedge is run along the bottom. The next thing is I will try a Sting Ray Jr. stabilizer and see how that works. http:/ / www. basspro. com/ webapp/ wcs/ stores/ servlet/ Product_10151_ -1_10001_45204_225011002_225000000_225011000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT I`m running an 11 inch pitch prop, and might try a 9 inch one. Top speed is good now 30mph at 5400rpm, 20mph at 4000rpm, getting to plane is the big issue. The boat ran alot better all the way around with my antique 1958 35hp Evinrude Lark, and I believe modern 4 stroke engines don`t work well on a 13 footer. You need the power of a 40hp, but the weight is way too much. Anyone have any other ideas. The interior is moved forward about 4 inches, fuel tank and batteries are under the rear seat. My heavy teak rear casting platform might become a front casting platform, it fits. rich'Binkie
R T M	posted 05-09-2009 01:29 PM ET (US) woops http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c191/floridaboy2053/ Whaler%20with%20Mercury/Merclowerunit.jpg