Fuel Cost vs. Trim Tab Cost - The Hull Truth

eravage · 05-11-2006, 12:26 AM

Hi, I have been reading about Trim Tabs (Bennett M120's in particular) and I have a 1994 21' Mariah Open Bow. I feel my boat sucks gas with my 4.3 Mercruiser, however, I need to justify the cost of buying the Trim Tabs vs. Fuel Cost ie fuel savings. We go boating in Indiana on Patoka which is a fairly choppy 11k acre lake. Is it true that I will see a fuel savings during normal runs across the lake? I am not a speed demon, however, I like to pull skiers sometimes and I don't like the bow porposing (sp) that I get at WOT on choppy waters. Sorry for the long post, just want to make the right buying decision on a $400+ part. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!

Mud Runner · 05-11-2006, 01:24 PM

Forget the fuel savings. If anything you will use more fuel because you'll want to use the boat more. My wife used to say her insides got rocked but after changing to Bennetts, It doesn't upset her a bit. You won't regret it.

Reel-Rascals · 05-11-2006, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Mud Runner - 5/11/2006 11:24 AM
Forget the fuel savings.* If anything you will use more fuel because you'll want to use the boat more.

Haha

! While I don't disagree with that statement ... once I put Bennett tabs on my "big 'ol girl", I find I can dial in up to a 10% increase in MPG efficiency, as I run witha fuel computer on board.

As stated, you will enjoy the boat a whole lot more and that my friend, is priceless!

Whiteowl · 05-12-2006, 12:36 AM

I agree with Reel and Mud. It is extremely unlikely you will ever "save" enough gas to pay for the tabs. Most of the value of the tabs will be in the improvement to the way your boat will handle.

Tabman · 05-12-2006, 05:16 PM

So far all the answers are really correct. You can realize fuel savings like Dale (Reel Rascals) points out, most often at lower cruising speeds where the boat is not fully on plane. With the Tabs the boat will run at a much more effective and fuel efficient attitude. This is likely where Dale sees the 10% increase, and with fuel prices the way they are today, well that can really add up!

Tom

Reel-Rascals · 05-12-2006, 11:50 PM

Might be more attributable to my specific hull design, but I find that at the cruising speed of 4000 RPMs, 23 knots, is when I can dial in a little "down tab" and achieve the 10% increase over not using the tabs. I don't cruise much at lower planing speeds, but A-1 guaranteed that the performance I get with the tabs is far better than without, I'd guess up to 20% better, with a significantly improved ride too.