Trim Tabs vs Whale Tails

[Seth]

Do they accomplish the same thing? My boat has trim tabs welded on each corner of the transom, but the motor doesn't have a whale tail. Just curious.

 

[fender66]

Just guessing, but I bet they do have a similar effect. The only difference that I can come up with is that the whale tail changes its angle when the motor trims up and down. Trim tabs should also be more effective with left/right stability since they are on the outside corners. But....I'm just thinking out loud. Don't really have any experience to compare with trim tabs.

 

[RBuffordTJ]

The whale tale (hydrofoil) is usually compensating for something the boat owner can't get done with their setup, or the setup is wrong. I say this as I duck rocks and rotton fruit. If a boat is set up properly it will come up out of the water onto plane and handle efficiently, and if you want a better hole shot change the prop. It gives you lift out of the hole, and then provides what some say is stability (but I disagree with that one especially on flat bottom boats) but it is also causing a constant drag effect.

Trim Tabs, especially the self adjusting ones, would be a safer and better way to go from what I have learned. They offer a better stability to the ride for sure, I have felt the before and after and it is pretty nice.

Everyone has a preference, but I would say self adjusting trim tabs are best. They have the little 'shocks' on them.

Bufford

 

[S&MFISH]

if you want a better hole shot change the prop.

Bufford

The only problem there is , We Don't have propellers to change. So the tail is essential,for me at least.

 

[fender66]

if you want a better hole shot change the prop.

Bufford

The only problem there is , We Don't have propellers to change. So the tail is essential,for me at least.

+1 :wink: