Which trim tabs? Zipwakes vs Others?

[Islander77]

I’ve searched the forum and have read every thread on a subject. However the last thorough discussion was a good few years ago.

Just wondering what is the consensus on trim tabs in 2022?

Are there members here who have/tried Zipwakes for extended period of time and would share their experience? Would you buy them again? Or would you go back to the Bennets/Lenco that are proven over time. I guess my major concern with Zipwakes is long term reliability…

Ideally I prefer the the system to have an “Auto” function, can’t see myself enjoying too much fiddling with trim tabs settings/position all the time. I read on other forums that people who have Zipwakes have them on Auto (set and forget) and very happy with how it performs. Are there other traditional systems that work well in Auto?

All opinions are welcome.

[Dignity]

Never been in a boat with Zipwakes so can't comment. I do have Lenco Trim Tabs and wouldn't be without them. With the indicator switches there is no guessing at what stage the tabs are deployed and I have a hesitancy of an Auto tab especially on a return crossing of a bar, my tabs are fully up, also on a following sea they are barely used. I would like to play around with Zipwakes, just haven't found anybody with them.

[The Mad Cat]

Have 450 Zipwakes on a 6.4m glass boat since 2018 and couldn't be happier with them. On auto it's just turn on and it does it all.
If I bought another boat and tabs were not already fitted they would be the first thing fitted and a Minn kota and electric anchor winch and auto pilot and 2 MFDs and a fridge and shit where do you stop, BLOODY BOATS.
Seriously though they were worth fitting. Zipwakes sizing was very hard to work out so I fitted the biggest size that would fit.
Whitworths were the best price back then.

TMC

[Mopheus]

Zipwakes sizing was very hard to work out so I fitted the biggest size that would fit.

Really the only critical value with Zipwake sizing is the minimum threshold, as anything over that should work acceptably with bigger interceptors just adding to system responsiveness. Just check you meet the minimum then go with the biggest you can fit.

300 Zipwakes meet the minimum recommended criteria for anything up to 10m length and 2.0m transom beam width across the chines. Anything over that is a bonus, but it gets pretty tight fitting anything much larger than 450 Zipwakes on most trailer boats once you allow for the outboard + transducer + live tank pickup with recommended clearances.

CH Smith and Whitworths are pretty competitive on pricing atm.

125204

[Islander77]

Thanks for the feedback guys!


…and 2 MFDs
A little off topic while we are at this:
Based on your experience would you get a single 16” MFD or 2x 9” MFDs ? (Unfortunately I can’t fit 2 x 12”, not enough space)
Obviously 16” will provide much more screen real estate, but probably not as convenient as two devices?

[The Mad Cat]

Personally I would go with 2 x 9" because the way I use my chartplotters is one on nav chart and one on sonar. With the 16" you would end up with (in theory) 2 x 8" which is nothing to be sneezed at, but if one fails you don't have any backup. I believe you are in Tasmania. Where you fish and how far from land etc, a failure may not be as big a problem as fishing the Great Barrier Reef, where we are always looking to find new marks or going to old marks while working around shallow reefs and dodging reefs to get out and get home. I do like your new boat that 's on the way.

TMC

[Islander77]

1694228 (tel:1694228)[/URL]]Personally I would go with 2 x 9" because the way I use my chartplotters is one on nav chart and one on sonar. With the 16" you would end up with (in theory) 2 x 8" which is nothing to be sneezed at, but if one fails you don't have any backup. I believe you are in Tasmania. Where you fish and how far from land etc, a failure may not be as big a problem as fishing the Great Barrier Reef, where we are always looking to find new marks or going to old marks while working around shallow reefs and dodging reefs to get out and get home. I do like your new boat that 's on the way.

TMC

Thanks!
Just a correction - 16” is roughly equivalent to 4 x 8”, which is “almost” twice more area than 2 x 9”… But yes, I agree about convenience! I also prefer to run Nav chart / Radar on one device and Sonar on another.

Here is a good comparison tool
http://www.displaywars.com/15,6-inch-16x9-vs-9-inch-16x9

Yes I’m in Tassie and where I fish - MFD failure wouldn’t be big problem at all.
The new boat isn’t on the way yet :) I’m about to test-drive a demo sometime next week, after that final decision will be made on spot.

[disorderly]

Hi mate..sounds like you have a million things running through your mind at the moment..

So I'll throw another cat among the pigeons..

When we were researching trim tabs 2.5 yrs back I loved the idea of the Zipwakes but found it hard to get good info..being a newish product most owners were still in the "honeymoon" period so there is a lot of "fanboys" out there who will tell you they are the best thing since sliced bread whilst only recently installing them....

We ended up going with Bennett hydraulic tabs with Auto-trim Pro for several reasons such as they only have one moving part(the piston) and all the electronics and hydraulics are inside the boat....the reliability is legendary and you can still find these Tabs, decades old, on the back of boats still working as good the day they were fitted..Plate style tabs also work better at slower speeds so when trolling or pushing through really rough stuff.....the missus ordered ours from the USA back when the dollar was high so were about half price..

Unfortunately when I went to fit them a year after purchase i realised she had bought the ones with shorter rams .....I rang the QLD distributer in Brissie and even though we had imported them a year before he told me just to send him the 2 rams I had and if i paid the postage he would send me a pair of the correct length rams...I was blown away and very grateful for that customer service..but am told that its par for the course with Bennett.

Zipwakes are a bit more responsive and a bit easier to install and you have less stuff hanging off the back of the boat but some of the issues which have been popping up with zipwakes are the cable sheathing have started to degrade.....motors can stuff up at about $600 each side and i have heard of sand and grit causing issues with the interceptor going up and down and also causing water ingress into the unit..heard one guy tell of the horror trip back from 80km's out off Fraser island when one of the Tabs stuck in the down position...also heard various good and bad of trying to get warranty issues sorted and buyiing new motors..

The sheathing , even when out of the sunlight inside the boat, seems to be a problem for quite a few blokes..I have heard it starting from a year old but the below photo is about 3.5 yrs old..

125210

Decisions, decisions...;D


The other thing you mention is your sonar units..

I went for 2x 9 inch garmins but now wish I had have gone 12 inch..Go as big as can afford with your screens..

Whichever boat you end up ordering Is there any way you can have them modify the dash during the build to more easily accept larger units...?

I am surprised that with the larger screens becoming so popular that boatbuilders dont seem to have followed the trend and modified their designs or provided options to make installation of these units easier and more practical...

If thats not possible, swing arm RAM mounts certainly can add some flexibility of positioning..

[Greg P]

I seriously looked at Zipwakes but they can be tricky to install depending on the shape of your transom. My Signature would have required glass work to ensure there was a flat surface for mounting which on top of an already super high intial price when compared to Bennets or Lencos. I went with Lencos in the end as I had been burnt by the Volvo QLs before going through about 3 blade motors so stayed with the simple system. Thought I read somewhere recently that the guys who build those Veitch Boats dont recommend to run them in auto??? The technology for the auto mode does sound enticing on the Zipwakes though.

[Mopheus]

Thought I read somewhere recently that the guys who build those Veitch Boats dont recommend to run them in auto???

Wouldn't surprise me - Veitch run a 25.5° deadrise with a sharp bow entry, so I imagine they'd be pretty roll sensitive and prone to overcorrection in Auto mode.

Hulls with more moderate deadrise have greater roll stability (at the cost of increased slamming) and are less sensitive to roll inputs, so less chance of overcorrection.

[scottar]

Wouldn't surprise me - Veitch run a 25.5° deadrise with a sharp bow entry, so I imagine they'd be pretty roll sensitive and prone to overcorrection in Auto mode.

Hulls with more moderate deadrise have greater roll stability (at the cost of increased slamming) and are less sensitive to roll inputs, so less chance of overcorrection.
They aren't the only ones from reports I have seen. More to do with rapid full scale deployment of one tab in a failure event.

[Mopheus]

They aren't the only ones from reports I have seen. More to do with rapid full scale deployment of one tab in a failure event.

That'd be cause for a change of jocks :o

[scottar]

Indeed it would. That said I don't think any of the traditional tab systems even with an auto module would be as effective in auto mode due to tab speed. For Islander, I'm not sure of the necessity. Pontoon style craft in my experience tend to be the one style of boat that may not need them.

[The Mad Cat]

[QUOTE=Islander77;1694230]Thanks!
Just a correction - 16” is roughly equivalent to 4 x 8”, which is “almost” twice more area than 2 x 9”… But yes, I agree about convenience! I also prefer to run Nav chart / Radar on one device and Sonar on another.

Yes your right Islander I was having a blond moment, I did a quick calculation in my head and used the approx. screen size of a 12" Humminbird Solex which I was given for Xmas.

TMC

[The Mad Cat]

The sheathing , even when out of the sunlight inside the boat, seems to be a problem for quite a few blokes..I have heard it starting from a year old but the below photo is about 3.5 yrs old..

125210

This looks bad, really bad. Especially if you own Zipwakes of about the same age. Will have a good look at my boat today.
Thanks for the heads up Disorderly.

TMC

[Islander77]

Thanks everyone! Did a little bit more research and decided to stay away from Zipwakes for now, maybe next time :)
Looking closely now at Bennet and Lectrotabs.

Just wondering if I should stick to original hydraulic version of Bennet or the new Bolt series is the go. Noticed some people do swear by Lectrotabs, I think they are even covered by lifetime warranty (not sure if that applies in Australia though, but anyway, must be a high quality item).

Scottar, that was my thinking too originally, but I have found few reports online, where other Stabicraft owners praised trim tabs, claiming all the standard benefits, like lower speed planing, lower “bow rise” etc. I think I want to give it a go. Always wanted to try trim tabs, but they were not possible to install to my current boat due to huge deep pods at the transom.

Disorderly, so that Auto-trim Pro, does it work well in Auto mode? Are you happy with it? Or do you still need to adjust/re-adjust it all the time?
Agree about boat manufacturers lagging behind the marine electronics trends. Yes electronics is very expensive in absolute numbers, but not so much in relation to the boat prices. Today there are almost no brand-new boats left on a market cheaper than $100k, so 2x12”MFDs don’t feel that bad in comparison (price-wise), yet almost none can fit 2x12” screens… Thanks for the advice - I’ll have a look into swing-arm solutions, but at the same time I want to keep clean/uncluttered look, so will see.

[Getout]

I’ve had a set of hydraulic Bennett Sport Tabs for nearly 20 yrs. They don’t have auto function. In my opinion, if you want to get the best out of trim tabs, like outboard trim, you need to constantly adjust for wave condition, wind strength and direction, boat speed and passenger movement around boat. Doubt that auto mode can compute all that. Its amazing how correct trim can improve ride. I can watch my fuel economy gauge improve as I apply trim tab to level the hull (side to side).

[disorderly]

Obviously this is a sales pitch but it explains how the auto function works...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CruJRMOoAAg

Getout.. the computations do take into account all those factors to keep the boat running true, so for instance if someone walks back and forth from one side the other it will constantly sense the change of angle and compensate to always bring her back to level or whatever position you have calibrated....doing that in manual mode drives me nuts...you just get it right and then someone moves and you are straight on the controls again...:(

[chocolatemoose]

Just before christmas last year we installed our 150th set of zipwakes, they are not for every situation obviously. but they do make the best obtainable interceptor trim system
we were the first to install greek made Hydrotabs. ive done 2 sets of those, and wouldnt touch them ever again. i have had 13 warranties with volvo QL. and havnt really done any since we moved to zipwake.
We still do a fair amount of lenco. they are pretty decent,

But yep id still be recomending zipwake.

Moose

[disorderly]

The sheathing , even when out of the sunlight inside the boat, seems to be a problem for quite a few blokes..I have heard it starting from a year old but the below photo is about 3.5 yrs old..

125233

This looks bad, really bad. Especially if you own Zipwakes of about the same age. Will have a good look at my boat today.
Thanks for the heads up Disorderly.

TMC

My motorguide spiral cord is perishing similar to the sheathing in that Zipwake pic, just not near as bad yet...

The boat is always shedded out of direct sunlight..after doing some research and speaking to the dealer its also a common problem in the last few years... I have been waiting 6 months for a replacement cord under warranty ..unit still works but sooner or later it wont...

I was just up on my roof and noticed the satelite TV cable that a lazy installer just ran along the roof from one end tto the other directly on the tin in full sun and its still perfect and pliable after 10-12 years....

So obviously decent UV stable cable sheathing is available...I guess when we buy newer products from newer companies we are kind of guinea pigs to see what issues crop up over time ...unfortunately sometimes at our own expense..its never the dealers and salesman that lose out..

[Dignity]

Islander, which ever way you go just ensure your installation doesn't affect transducers, if in hull not an issue but anything off the transom and too close will affect performance of the unit.
Disorderly, time for some of that wrap around heatshrink, haven't seen it for a while but did have some in my shed.

[Islander77]

1694333 (tel:1694333)[/URL]]Islander, which ever way you go just ensure your installation doesn't affect transducers, if in hull not an issue but anything off the transom and too close will affect performance of the unit.

Thanks,
On Stabis there are already brackets welded to the transom for the transducers and trim tabs, so there is not much room for flexibility.

Anyway, I test-drove the boat yesterday and signed the dotted line. After my budget was already significantly overblown (the boats are growing in price by the day) I decided to wait with the trim tabs for now. Will install them at a later stage myself.
On the other hand, was completely impressed with performance without tabs, so maybe won’t even bother :) time will tell…
But thanks everyone, very informative thread!

[disorderly]

Congrats mate...when is the delivery date..?

[Islander77]

Congrats mate...when is the delivery date..?

Thanks mate, it’s complicated :) The boat is waiting in the yard already, which is great (new stock - just arrived before Christmas), but there is no engine.
Apparently a Honda 250 was ordered for it in Aug/Sept, with initial estimated delivery in March’22, now being pushed to May’22, so basically it’s a waiting game for me now…

[scottar]

....doing that in manual mode drives me nuts...you just get it right and then someone moves and you are straight on the controls again...:(

You need to "discuss"this with your crew further. I've found that opening this discussion with "For f@%ks sake will you just sit still" in a somewhat annoyed manner seems to be somewhat effective ;D.

[Dignity]

You need to "discuss"this with your crew further. I've found that opening this discussion with "For f@%ks sake will you just sit still" in a somewhat annoyed manner seems to be somewhat effective ;D.
From posts I've seen it's his wife is his crew, Scot you'd be a better man than me to front up to her.

[disorderly]

Thanks mate, it’s complicated :) The boat is waiting in the yard already, which is great (new stock - just arrived before Christmas), but there is no engine.
Apparently a Honda 250 was ordered for it in Aug/Sept, with initial estimated delivery in March’22, now being pushed to May’22, so basically it’s a waiting game for me now…

Bit frustrating but you will have plenty of time to think about and plan the fitout .....

Were you happy with how the Stabi rode and handled on the test run..?


You need to "discuss"this with your crew further. I've found that opening this discussion with "For f@%ks sake will you just sit still" in a somewhat annoyed manner seems to be somewhat effective ;D.

Yes Scott that would do it.....the culprits are mainly backpackers that we have taken out and they are understandably a bit excited to be seeing the reef....so its sit down the back seat for a while then stand up and lean against the gunnel then one side to see the dophins and then a quick rush to the other to see birds diving on a bait school then jump into the esky and repeat for 40-50kms...the ones that i do actually take to the reef are the nice ones and have actually helped us out a bit pulling weeds so I try and keep my happy face on so they can enjoy the day as much as possible...:)

The worst ones are usually Frenchies who think its acceptable to converse as loudly as possible to one another in French all day....these ones just get a quick half day Dunk island trip otherwise I quickly turn into Mr Grumpy and start using your "somewhat annoyed manner"...;);D


From posts I've seen it's his wife is his crew, Scot you'd be a better man than me to front up to her.

Sam, I'm sure you understand its an awfully long trip on a small boat if you start the day by pissing off the missus..man, she can swear like a trooper....suffice to say she can do whatever she wants on the boat and I just smile..;)

[Islander77]

1694349 (tel:1694349)[/URL]]Bit frustrating but you will have plenty of time to think about and plan the fitout .....
Were you happy with how the Stabi rode and handled on the test run..?


Oh yes, I was completely blown away by the amount of confidence this boat instills in you. We were doing the test run few miles offshore in a moderate but short period swell. I know that I would be “almost” feeling uncomfortable fishing in similar conditions in my current 6m Whittley, any worse and I would be returning home. But with this Stabi, the guy was just sitting at 40kmh like it was nothing, going into any wave and any direction he wanted, doing extremely sharp turns at speed etc, without even thinking. I was very impressed. The ride was very dry and reasonably soft, probably softest aluminium boat I’ve ever been too, but (regardless of what marketing department says) the ride was loud, even with the foam infilled pontoons, in my opinion.
Also on a negative note I was VERY unimpressed how little you get for $200k, basically for the price of building a house you get a pile of aluminium.., without even a toilet, that’s crazy to think how much the money lost its value over the last year or two…

About the trim tabs: This demo boat was a personal boat of the dealership owner / director with no trim tabs installed, and he says that only once, he was caught in 40knot wind gusts offshore and thought that having trim tabs in that situation would be beneficial, but even then not really necessary. So yes, decided to start without them for now :)

[Spaniard_King]

Islander77 I can confirm the 250's are now May delivery. we bought all of Honda's 250 stock last year (at least the last 8 they had :) ) and sold them all before Christmas

[Islander77]

Islander77 I can confirm the 250's are now May delivery. we bought all of Honda's 250 stock last year (at least the last 8 they had :) ) and sold them all before Christmas

Haha, thanks for the confirmation I guess :) I’m just hoping that delivery won’t be postponed even further!