Message Board
Message 39 of 39
Posted by member Richard on Monday 15 June 2020
Hi, The cost for a pair suited to a Hardy 20ft is £623 plus vat and for the automatic control system a further £618 plus vat.
Add your comment
Message 38 of 39
Posted by member Tim Guest on Tuesday 4 February 2020
Regarding stability at speed (20kts+)...
I fitted Bennett hydraulic tabs to my Pilot SE, which have worked well. For more stability I fitted their auto trim control, which was just 'plug and play' as long as you can find a fitting location in the correct alignment (and not too pricey as it's probably mobile phone technology). This made a remarkable improvement - just select the attitude at speed which suits, and then activate when you need it. It makes both pitch and directional stability much better - it never felt it was very safe before. (I think they now sell an all-in-one control panel)
I have switched the panel LED indicators to show the L/R trim applied, rather than the trim tab position, which is actually not very useful info IMHO...
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 37 of 39
Posted by member Roderick Bisset on Friday 17 January 2020
I have just has my Family Pilot taken out of the water and I can see my trim tabs are looking rather poor? One assumes I must strip off the old paint and get a primer on the stainless steel trim tabs followed by an anti-foul?
Obviously the replacement of the anodes, is overdue. Is the recommendation still a zinc primer followed by Interspeed ultra??
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 36 of 39
Posted by member Graham Clay on Thursday 19 September 2019
Thanks, Felix. Yes, putting the engine right down definitely helps. Passenger trim also helps, of course!
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 35 of 39
Posted by member Felix on Thursday 12 September 2019
Reference my reply’s messages 30 and 31 the trim tabs didn’t make a lot of difference to the boats stability but keeping the outboard tucked hard into the transom stopped any instability it previously had, and, it is now a very stable boat .
So I suggest that you start there before anything else.
Steve
Hardy Regatta ( Felix )
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 34 of 39
Posted by member Graham Clay on Wednesday 11 September 2019
Hi,
We have noticed on Lorien (our Pilot 20SE + 70HP) that when on the plane she can suddenly lean over to port. Very disconcerting at 15kts! She seems reasonably stable, but it’s not a comfortable ride attitude and takes some starboard wheel to hold her straight. We have hydraulic trim tabs, but putting the port tab down more if anything makes things worse. Does anyone else suffer from this? Or any tips on how to prevent?
Thanks!
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 33 of 39
Posted by member Clive ffitch on Tuesday 8 May 2018
Hi Jim,
Should work a treat! Very similar setup to mine, Lectrotabs plus Mariner 75, and they certainly do the job. Also useful at slow speeds to bring the bow down a bit, with such a nice heavy engine out back!
Enjoy!
Clive
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 32 of 39
Posted by member Jim harwood on Sunday 6 May 2018
Decided to go for Lectrotabs first part of fitting complete with some polyethylene spacers shaped to the transom. Looking forward to finishing and getting to test along with replacement motor fitted.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 31 of 39
Posted by member steve Hogwood on Wednesday 7 March 2018
From ordering to delivery 7days for the actuators from America. Very pleased and they feel a lot stronger, will report again when we are up and running.
Steve.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 30 of 39
Posted by member steve Hogwood on Friday 2 March 2018
Just hauled my Regatta out for the annual clean up service and check over, I found that one of the Nauticus trim tab actuators was broken it’s a gas filled ram enclosed in a sealed rubber boot..
I made a lot of enquiries in the uk but nobody wants to supply them and if they do there’s nothing in stock,so I went to the American website,should have gone there first, selected what I needed,worked out a lot cheaper than buying the tabs complete which the dealers prefer to stock in the uk. I have paid by pay pal , I had a reply the same day that my order had been received and was being processed and despatched and as far as I know it’s on it’s way.
To be continued.
Steve.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 29 of 39
Posted by member will spurgeon on Saturday 24 February 2018
Thanks for the tip :-)
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 28 of 39
Posted by member Michael Willaims on Friday 23 February 2018
We recently had to buy parts for our Insta-Trim trim tabs. The only EU source I could find was in Sweden but then discovered that Intsa-Trim's own website in the US was much cheaper. I ordered from that site and the parts turned up fairly quickly with no hassles. Only problem is that the site, like many US online purchase sites, does not acknowledge receipt of the order or tell you parts have been dispatched.
Julie & Mike Williams
Puffin of Rame
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 27 of 39
Posted by member will spurgeon on Wednesday 21 February 2018
Evening folks
I’m looking to rebuild the Insta Trim tabs on my Hardy 25 with some fresh parts and hoses etc. Does anyone know of a UK based parts source for them before I order from the US? The seemingly unique pitch of the screws into the transom was the start of my journey. I got the buggers out, which was easier than I expected :-)
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 26 of 39
Posted by member Simon Kidd on Sunday 3 December 2017
Hi Jim.
Depending on the handling issue you're facing, the tabs might be of use, but are by no means as useful as the hydraulic or electromechanical types - these can be used to trim the boat for differing conditions. As I understand it, the Smart tabs are only aimed at helping get on the plane. With the fine entry of the Pilot Hull, being able to trim for different wave types etc can be of great benefit, and also allow you to level the boat if she lists to one side while underway. Of course, in a following sea, you'd want the tabs all the way up out of the way, and you'll probably be wanting to trim out your outboard or sterndrive a good few degrees. I usually run a good few degrees trim up when running through a following sea in the H25.
Best Regards
Simon.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 25 of 39
Posted by member jim harwood on Saturday 2 December 2017
Has anybody fitted these smart tabs to a Hardy pilot. Have been looking through options these are relatively inexpensive compared to electric or hydraulic systems. Not sure what they would be like in a following sea. http://nauticusinc.com/smart-tabs-sx/
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 24 of 39
Posted by member Andy Mcmullan on Sunday 15 June 2008
John
These sound like Smart Tabs. I have just got a set of the cheaper composite ones for my Pilot. They were £140. I've yet to fit them but will post back when I have them fitted and tested.
Cheers
Andy
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 23 of 39
Posted by member John Fricker on Friday 13 June 2008
Hi,
I read with interest the issues of getting up on to the plane with a Hardy. I am considering buying one. I have just sold my Regal Ventura 6.8m sports cuddy. That used to ride high in the bow at lower speeds, with a 5.7ltr in the back never had issues getting on the plane though. Now to the point I purchased a relatively cheap set of auto trim tabs, spring loaded so self adjusting they only cost £50 on e bay in the US. The fitting job is an hour to an hour and a half. What a difference on my Regal the speed to get on the plane was reduced by 5 to 6 knots and the ride position was much better at low speed, could comfortably run at 7 - 8 knots in harbour entrances etc and still see where I was going. I suggest you all bite the bullet and invest the £50 and an hours time, the difference would definitely be worth it and I believe I paid for my tabs in two trips.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 22 of 39
Posted by member Dominic And Nicola Gribbin on Wednesday 15 November 2006
First problem to address John is the 50hp o/board. This is simply inadequate for what you seem to be intending to achieve and you will be in danger of wasting your money on a no doubt excellent Volvo t/tab system, that given the fundamental lack of adequate power, simply will not perform as it should.
This sounds harsh John but consider a bigger engine first eg 60 to 90 hp (look at the numerous related threads on this website) then and only then, consider Volvo trim tabs.
Best wishes
Dom.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 21 of 39
Posted by member John Ferguson on Tuesday 14 November 2006
Re trim tabs.
I have a bosun 20 with a 50 hp johnson. With one aboard it gets onto the plane at about 13 knots and under absolutely ideal conditions it can reach 20 knots although the fuel disappears at an alarming rate.
With two aboard, the crew has to double as mobile ballast, moving forward to get the bows down and onto the plane.
I have fitted fins to the outbaoard but these seem to have little effect.
I am considering fitting trim tabs and am aware of the conventional flap type, but am also considering the Volvo QL boat trim system ( see www.qlmarine.com ) These are electrically operated and lower/raise a vertical ''shutter'' creating a wedge of water which they call ''water intercept technology''. The claims/facilities in their write up appear very good. The price is about £320 and I believe this also includes a display that indicates the level of trim.
Has anybody had any experience or knowledge of this system to help me reach a decision? Thanks
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 20 of 39
Posted by member Alan on Monday 2 October 2006
I fitted a set of Bennett tabs last winter. They work well at low speeds but at higher speeds there is a noticeable bow down attitude to port even when tabs are level and it needs a strong hold on wheel to stop her going to starboard. In addition the prop wash is not in line with the engine (75 Honda.) Is the prop wash hitting a tab and throwing the trim? She will hit 22 knots but it needs real hold on the wheel and preferably a person behind me to balance trim at speed.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 19 of 39
Posted by member Dominic And Nicola Gribbin on Tuesday 8 August 2006
Try a hard antifouling like Interspeed ultra, not a self eroding type. Make sure to apply a metal compliant primer first.
Thats what we use on our s/s trim tabs and it lasts years, literally.
Dominic and Nicola.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 18 of 39
Posted by member Angus Geddes on Thursday 3 August 2006
Trim Tabs & ANTI Fouling. Has anyone a good idea to stop the algae growth? My TT's are stainless steel, antifouling on them lasts about a week before it all comes off. Subsequently there is a nice growth on them a few weeks later. It is possible to brush it off with a stiff handbrush as long as it is done regularly. But if I leave it any length of time it needs serious elbow grease.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 17 of 39
Posted by member Dominic And Nicola Gribbin on Sunday 19 June 2005
I use a yamaha 4hp 4 stroke longshaft auxillary with my Lectro Trim tabs and have no problem with fouling against the tab plate.
Howver, it would only take an aux. bracket to be slightly incorrectly positioned on the transom for all manner of problems with fouling I am sure.
Dominic.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 16 of 39
Posted by member John Went on Thursday 16 June 2005
I had trim tabs but removed them when fitting auxiliary outboard bracket as if auxiliary is used it would foul the trim tabs.How do others use auxiliary engines with trim tabs? Thanks, John
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 15 of 39
Posted by member Andy Mcmullan on Thursday 26 May 2005
I've been doing some research on the whole tabs Vs fins idea. It seems that tabs are definitely the way to go. Particularly Smart Tabs. These are cheap at about £150 fo my 17ft Hardy and are really well made. These are 'passive', extending at rest and low speed the retracting to level with the hull when water pressure rises. There are numerous posts on iboats.com in the Boat Topics forum on these tabs and the fins issue.
Try
http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic f=1 t=012190
or
http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic f=1 t=012079
for starters and also do a general search on Smart Tabs.
You can buy em mail order in the UK. Google for Smart Tabs UK for a stockist.
Cheers
Andy
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 14 of 39
Posted by member D. Groves on Thursday 19 May 2005
I seem to have improved the ride on our Bosun a lot by putting two bags of damp sand ( in plastic bags) under the foward V berth and one under the starboard berth !!! This combined with the Doel fins is a definite improvement, mind you , being on the Lakes we are limited to 10mph so can't assess what would happen if I were able to fully open up the Mariner 60 Big Foot. Am adding a recent photograph of our boat to the '' Gallery'' taken from a friends boat when we were doing around 8-9 mph so you can see the angle.!
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 13 of 39
Posted by member Joe Macleod on Tuesday 3 May 2005
Thanks very much for the info,when I get home from earning a few bob in the North sea,I'll go ahead and order up the parts(and a crane)
and let you know how I got on.
Regards Joe Macleod
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 12 of 39
Posted by member Dominic And Nicola Gribbin on Monday 2 May 2005
In my opinion, absoultely not.
Its a full days job and the sealant MUST air cure properly or else you will have perpetual leakage nightmares.
The expense of craning out will be well worth it. You could fit out the wiring once back on the water though.
Dominic.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 11 of 39
Posted by member Joe Macleod on Sunday 1 May 2005
I recently purchased a Hardy ''bosun'',last month to be exact.The first time I took the boat out I noticed the marked bow up position. I immediately fitted fins to the 75hp 4stroke Mariner.That helped quite a bit,but the problem remains with a port list at cruising speed with the inboard fuel tank full. I also carry 2x20ltr jerry cans on the stbd side to compensate-still not enough.
After reading the forum pages I have decided to fit Lectro-trim tabs, my main question to anyone in the know is whether it will be possible to fit the tabs between tides (no trailer and very expensive to hire a crane) and do the rest from a pontoon.
Look forward to hearing from someone. Regards Joe macleod
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 10 of 39
Posted by member Dominic Gribbin on Friday 8 April 2005
Hi Pete.
When I undertook the job a year ago the total cost of parts was approx. £450-00 DIY style. I used Lectro-Trim tabs purchased from A.S.A.P supplies of Eccles.
For more up to date cost estimates, website contributor Treve Harris from Falmouth has very recently finished fitting the same system. He was in touch with me for tips etc. Contact me at domgrib@yahoo.com and I can pass on his details. I am sure he would be happy to offer some figures.
Hope that helps
Dominic.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 9 of 39
Posted by member Pete French on Thursday 7 April 2005
Can anyone give me an idea of the cost of having trim tabs fitted to a Family Pilot? It seems that they are a fairly 'essential' addition to these craft, but would seem to be too technically demanding a task for me to attempt a DIY bodge! I realise that this is a bit like asking how long a length of rope is, but I'm really just looking to check how many noughts I'd need to allocate!!!
Regards, Pete
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 8 of 39
Posted by member Mike Caffry on Monday 14 March 2005
I have a family pilot C1992 and the p0revious owner has fitted fixed plates at the stern which I take to be trim tabs of a sort. Any ideas what they are supposed to do and do they do it? Also what are Doel fins?
Engine is a 59HP volvo diesel plus leg and does a max of about 8knots.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 7 of 39
Posted by member Stephen Pickthall on Monday 14 March 2005
Mike
'Doel Fins' are dolphin tail shaped plastic or other fins which attach to an outboard motor cavitation plate just above the propellor, and are designed to give more lift to the motor and enable it to get the boat on the plane easier.
Without seeing the plates on your Hardy it is hard to say what they are. I presume they are set at something like a 90 degree angle to the hull ??? If so and they are fixed one might take a guess and say that someone has tried to add them as a form of trim tab. Hope this helps. Steve Pickthall
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 6 of 39
Posted by member Eddy on Saturday 12 March 2005
Today we removed the large water/balast tank from the bow. It did hold a lot and took 15 x 2 gall buckets of water emptied out of it until we could drag it out! The bow sat about 4 inches higher! We fitted the Doel fins, an easy 30 min job and then out to the Solent.
What a difference,sure the bow rode higher but 14 knotts and up onto theplane then onto 18.5 knotts. Very pleased with the results but we needed the earplugs at 5500 rpm (60 hp mariner 4 stroke). Yes we did have earplugs and they make such a difference, rather like when riding a motorbike! Ed
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 5 of 39
Posted by member Eddy on Tuesday 15 February 2005
Hi all
Fitted under the bow cushion on my pilot is a very large flexible triangular water container. It was instaled by a previouse owner, to keep the bow down i suppose. My boat is fitted with a new Mariner 4 stroke 60 hp which does eventually get the boat to plane at 12- 13 knotts. The boat does not ride bow high, I suppose it couldnt if it wanted to with half a ton plus of water up front. I have ordered some doel-fins and will fit these and reduce the water in the tank , maybe a bit of trial and error but eventually with less weight and a bit of lift under the stern I will get on the plane earlier and improve my top speed of 14 knotts! Ed
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 4 of 39
Posted by member Ian Martin on Tuesday 8 February 2005
Hi Desmond
I'm afraid I had the same problem as you are having. I have Doel Fins fitted to my Pilot and I found they don't make that much difference. The only solution is to fit Tabs, I'm lifting my Pilot out this week to have 9x12 inch Lectra Trim Tabs fitted, plus an engine upgrade. This will solve the problem of weight movement/location and making sure you have a member of the family stuck up forward. I'm afraid your gonna have to bite the bullet, another way to look at it, think of saving in the long term on fuel costs with the tabs fitted.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 3 of 39
Posted by member Charlie Stitt on Thursday 27 January 2005
I have both fitted, should be interesting, can't wait to get her back into the water to see the result.
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 2 of 39
Posted by member Steve Pickthall on Monday 5 April 2004
Desmond,
Just one thought, the doel fins are good to attach to the outboard, and are a great asset in getting the boat up on the plane. However they are designed to operate in whatever position your trim position is on the outboard and thnerefore may not give you the level of control that you wish for. Might be better to fit trim tabs after all. Just a thought.
Steve pickthall
Add your comment | ^Top
Message 1 of 39
Posted by member Desmond Groves on Sunday 4 April 2004
I have a 2000 Bosun normaly used in the lake District with 10 mph speed limit. It has a 14 x 11 prop and a 17 gall. inbuilt fuel tank.
I find that even at relativly slow speeds the stern really digs in and it is not always practical to have someone on the bows. I also hope to trail it to the coast this summer for a spell on the Solway nd area. Over 2000rpm the bows really begin to lift up. I am reticent about fitting trim tabs with the cost and need to take out of the water again, have seen Doel Fin Hydrofoil Stabalisers, does anyone have experience with similar, are these latter likely to make the boat sit flatter? Alternatively I have a 56Lb. weight which I thought about putting in anchor locker. Any advice please
Add your comment | ^Top
You must be logged in to post to the Hardy Motor Boat Owners Club message board.
Click here to login in. If you’re not yet a HOC member then why not
join us today?
