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Trim Tab on 43 FB

Discussion in 'Cabo Yacht' started by Ben Cooksey, Jan 29, 2023.

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  1. Ben Cooksey

    Ben Cooksey Member

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    Have any 43FB owners changed to larger trim tabs or installed wedges between the tab and ram to give them more downward angle? I've noticed the boat runs much better when she's flatter on plane, in other words getting the bow down further than what the stock tabs provide. Thanks
  2. sdonx

    sdonx New Member

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    On my 39 Hatteras there was a spacer in the piston that prevented the tabs from extending all the way.
  3. butch w

    butch w Member

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    What brand of 43 fly bridge are you talking about? I have a 43 viking convertible ( have only ran it half a season) and noticed that it really like trim. I pretty much run it almost full tab all of the time as it lifts the stern and I can what my speed increase by two-three knots without moving the throttles. I retract tabs when trolling so I don't forget to when backing down. I moved the tabs once when it was on the hard and they only give about 2 inches of downward movement as full.

    Not familiar with how much tab movement is typical on a Sportfish/Express etc. but on my center consoles I have owned full tab movement has always been at least six inches of travel. I know they are different animals
  4. Ben Cooksey

    Ben Cooksey Member

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    It's a 43Cabo FB I'll have to measure how much the tab goes down when we pull it out in a few months. You know that feeling when a boat gets up on top of the waves and starts running faster the rpm's pick up a bit because there's less stern drag. Obviously hulls are different but this deep v 43 seems like bigger tabs would really help
  5. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    To much tab at speed is counter productive and could get un-safe.
    Your deck and gunnels may feel or look like still bow high, but your keel or V bottom may be where it is supposed to be.
    We increased our tab area on our Deep V 58 to help get her up and plane slower.
    It helped just a little. But on the pins, I have to make sure the tabs are not all down.

    The original owner/mfg of Cabo are YF members.
    Have patience and they may come on to your thread.
    I know they have been traveling the boat shows lately.
  6. Ben Cooksey

    Ben Cooksey Member

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    Definitely can be unsafe if too much but it feels like the boat needs a few more inches of tab to get it to run better. We put a 1,050lb bladder on the bow and the boat runs faster than no bladder
  7. Ben Cooksey

    Ben Cooksey Member

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    Have the boat out of the water now so going add an 1" or 2" wedge
  8. butch w

    butch w Member

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    please keep us updated and some photos of the wedge etc thank you
    Ben Cooksey likes this.
  9. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Weight forward vs trim tabs are way two different things.
    CG is changed by weight (bladder on the bow), drag and hull hydrodynamics are changed with trim tabs.
    Has anybody talked to the Cabo kids or a real marine engineer yet?
  10. Capt Maritime

    Capt Maritime Member

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    This is a photo of a 43 Cabo convertible trim tab. The hydraulic ram has been disconnected to apply the prop speed. My 40 Cabo convertible needs very little tab to get up on plane, however the hull is quite a bit different when compared to a 43.

    43 Cabo trim tab.jpg
  11. Ben Cooksey

    Ben Cooksey Member

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    The 43 has no problem getting on plane. In a loaded condition the stern is just very heavy I doubt adding tab angle helps much but we'll see. Side note prop speed isn't worth it, stuff comes completely off the wheels in a few weeks, it does last longer on the rudders and shafts
  12. Capt Maritime

    Capt Maritime Member

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    I had prop speed applied to my Cabo 40 last fall...this is the first time I have used this product and am not sold on it yet. We shall see how it holds up. I plan to check it later this summer.

    Cabo launch day 18 Nov 2022 stern.jpg
  13. Ben Cooksey

    Ben Cooksey Member

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    268C7E10-B2F1-48DA-B1B0-858AF6AF889A.jpeg
  14. butch w

    butch w Member

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    What material is the wedge made from? Thanks for the update
  15. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    How does this effect your high speed running?
    If not, you may have to much in-law stuff in your asp......
  16. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Add 1" spacers, they do very well on that hull.
  17. Ben Cooksey

    Ben Cooksey Member

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    Update: this wedge has made some difference in a loaded condition running, the boat does have some bow steer when its light so I back off tab to 1/2 or 3/4