Trim Tabs

[Brunosr]

Looking for advise on whether to have trim tabs or not.

I have ordered a new R7 with the Volvo 380 HP, should I get her with trim tabs?

Are they worth having?

Thanks in advance!

[cmattj]

The forgotten option that most don’t know about serves a great purpose.

Cross head wind .. your boat will lean into regardless of weight balance. It can be annoying for long trips and promotes harder contact in qtr wakes when leaning.

Unbalanced weight...

As we tend to have couples with us I look back to see everyone sitting close and chatting on the port side benches. I notice my port side bow seat has my brother in law sitting , as he doesn’t want to interfere with my view.

A 800lb extra that I can’t change without asking people to spread out. But with one tap tap of my tab... . It is perfectly balanced and cutting efficient through all types of water.

Performance...

With the out drive properly trimmed up and the hull releasing the suction of water it’s flying. But should the water get to 1-3 footers I can trim the bow and raise the stern and make a fast comfortable ride without sacrificing speed by trimming down.

Get the tabs.

[Ytmsn]

+1 and well said Matt! Trim tabs? Absolutely

[BobRae99]

The forgotten option that most don’t know about serves a great purpose.

Cross head wind .. your boat will lean into regardless of weight balance. It can be annoying for long trips and promotes harder contact in qtr wakes when leaning.

Unbalanced weight...

As we tend to have couples with us I look back to see everyone sitting close and chatting on the port side benches. I notice my port side bow seat has my brother in law sitting , as he doesn’t want to interfere with my view.

A 800lb extra that I can’t change without asking people to spread out. But with one tap tap of my tab... . It is perfectly balanced and cutting efficient through all types of water.

Performance...

With the out drive properly trimmed up and the hull releasing the suction of water it’s flying. But should the water get to 1-3 footers I can trim the bow and raise the stern and make a fast comfortable ride without sacrificing speed by trimming down.

Get the tabs.

Does the same logic apply to the smaller models (R3, R5)?

[Norris_Boating]

The forgotten option that most don’t know about serves a great purpose.

Cross head wind .. your boat will lean into regardless of weight balance. It can be annoying for long trips and promotes harder contact in qtr wakes when leaning.

Unbalanced weight...

As we tend to have couples with us I look back to see everyone sitting close and chatting on the port side benches. I notice my port side bow seat has my brother in law sitting , as he doesn’t want to interfere with my view.

A 800lb extra that I can’t change without asking people to spread out. But with one tap tap of my tab... . It is perfectly balanced and cutting efficient through all types of water.

Performance...

With the out drive properly trimmed up and the hull releasing the suction of water it’s flying. But should the water get to 1-3 footers I can trim the bow and raise the stern and make a fast comfortable ride without sacrificing speed by trimming down.

Get the tabs.

Does the same logic apply to the smaller models (R3, R5)?

Yes!

[Red Stripe]

I have had trim tabs on all mine and would not live without them. 19' Sea Ray / 22' Sea Ray / 25' Baja and 263. Much easier adjusting the tabs than asking what each girl weighs so I can even out the boat

[tgrace98]

Trim tabs are a must for an r7. I could not imagine my 262 without them.

I'd say more but Matt covered everything about them and why they are necessary.

[BobRae99]

I'm considering ordering a 2019 R3 if I can't find a leftover 2018 or 2017 somewhere in Canada. A few of the options on my list are; VP380 DP, Trim Tabs and anchor with a windlass. I know the last option is pricey, but our evenings are spent motoring out of the marina and dropping a hook in a nearby bay. With my 210, I find it a bit hard on my back hauling the anchor up, trying to shake the mud loose and then throw it in the anchor locker without getting mud all over the boat. To be honest, I haven't noticed much of a side to side trim problem with my 210, but I thought trim tabs might be a useful option on a larger boat.

[BIGGUSBLOCKUS]

Love my tabs for low speed cruising as well. I can get the bow to come down and cut the chop and still go slow enough to enjoy the scenery.

I would not have a boat without them - after having them I'm spoiled.

[mtwbldr]

Would highly recommend! We unfortunately do not have tabs and our lake gets pretty choppy on the weekends. Ive looked into adding them, just have yet to pull the trigger. Have test driven an R5 with tabs on the same lake and it was a big game changer having tabs.

[tbully]

Get 'em! With the amount of people you can put on an R7 - and with the large area of storage on the port side, you won't regret it.

[Tuscany]

What they said...
I use them constantly. Levels out the boat when everyone is sitting Port, and more importantly, it’s an unbelievable tool for smoothing out the ride on a rough day.
I’d add them to a row boat..

[AsLan7]

+1 on all the above. Would not think of having a deep vee without them.

[Table Rockin]

My R7 is the first boat ive had tabs and frankly didnt use them much this season. I always thought it was about leveling out from unequal weight distribution. After reading on here about smoothing out rough chop i tried over labor day weekend. Works wonders! And its also good for dropping the bow if you want to cruise slower. Get them.

[Tuscany]

My R7 is the first boat ive had tabs and frankly didnt use them much this season. I always thought it was about leveling out from unequal weight distribution. After reading on here about smoothing out rough chop i tried over labor day weekend. Works wonders! And its also good for dropping the bow if you want to cruise slower. Get them.

It’s amazing how slow you can go, and still stay on plane with the flaps down.