Advice on jack plates and trim tabs......

JezN · 20-01-2009, 11:31 PM

I've recently bought a Phantom20 with a Yam200.......looking for a bit of advice on the options and benefits of fitting either a Hydraulic or Manual jack plate or just go for a fixed set-back plate.

Also, a bit of guidence on trim-tabs, advantages, suppliers, ease of fitting etc. would be very much appreciated.

Cheers,

Jez,

"Old beardy" · 21-01-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JezN

I've recently bought a Phantom20 with a Yam200.......looking for a bit of advice on the options and benefits of fitting either a Hydraulic or Manual jack plate or just go for a fixed set-back plate.

Also, a bit of guidence on trim-tabs, advantages, suppliers, ease of fitting etc. would be very much appreciated.

Cheers,

Jez,

What are you going to use it for?

larby · 21-01-2009, 08:50 AM

If it's for leisure then a friend of mine has a P20 with a 200 opti and trim tabs, ride is extremely level and smooth, makes an incredible difference.

James

Burty · 21-01-2009, 09:48 AM

I cant see you getting much benefit from either, I ran my P20 with and without a jackplate and hardly noticed a difference if anything it was easier to drive without it!
Trim tabs maybe worth it but again if your boat is setup well you shouldnt really need them, I only ever used mine when out for a leisure ski and needed to be on the plane at lower speeds and also occasionally when running accross the waves when the boat would list slightly so a dab of one tab straightened her up

"Old beardy" · 21-01-2009, 06:41 PM

[QUOTE=Burty;147893]I cant see you getting much benefit from either, I ran my P20 with and without a jackplate and hardly noticed a difference if anything it was easier to drive without it!

Christ Rob, I did not think I would ever hear you say that about lifters!!!
I totally agree, personally on a P20 for leisure use it is pointless, unless you like the "bling". Even for racing it might give you a tad more in the flat but you will lose out in the rough. Save your money. Keep the engine on the transom, its less to go wrong.

Burty · 21-01-2009, 07:44 PM

i never actually had my motor on the transom as i had 2" setback plate just to get a tad more bow lift without having to trim as much because otherwise the observer struggled to see the idiot hanging on for dear life.

NIC SURRY · 21-01-2009, 08:03 PM

I totally agree, personally on a P20 for leisure use it is pointless, unless you like the "bling".
I've just fitted one to my p20 (Only to be Bling) just thought I'd point out that depending on what steering you have you might have to alter the routing/length of cables etc,I was changing to Hydraulic anyhow so was OK but if I'd stuck with cables it was a lot of work-havn't got a clue if its better or worse-with or without but it does mean you don't have to tip engine when on the trailer,cheers.also I'd have probably hit the Exmouth sand bank harder on New Years day if my engine was lower-still the sand polished me prop

JezN · 21-01-2009, 10:00 PM

Cheers for the advice guys. We will be doing a few club races during the summer so will just have a play with props and see what we can do.

What about trim tabs......my bro tends to drive and I over did the mince pies at Christmas so the boat runs on the passenger side a bit. 25kg bag of sand did the trick but not exactly pretty!! Would trim tabs help with running level and if so, any advice on makes, where from etc?

Nic, new year was a bit lumpy.......we knocked it on the head after 1 lap, then again, we sank our Ring20 couple of years ago in similar conditions so thought discretion was better part of valour!!

Burty · 21-01-2009, 11:12 PM

tabs would sort that out or if thats the way you normally run move some of the weight to the drivers side, (battery, anchor etc)
as for which tabs it all depends on how much money you got to spend Bennett do a reasonable set for quite cheap money around 400 to 500 quid i think but don't be too suprised if you break them as the rams are plastic. having said that i think JF has bennetts on his P28 with no issues.

NIC SURRY · 23-01-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JezN

Cheers for the advice guys. We will be doing a few club races during the summer so will just have a play with props and see what we can do.

Nic, new year was a bit lumpy.......we knocked it on the head after 1 lap, then again, we sank our Ring20 couple of years ago in similar conditions so thought discretion was better part of valour!!

I nearly followed you into the Marina but thought just go sensible(SLOW)Sounds like your doing the same as me,I only purchased the P20 Feb last year and its my first of this type of boat,so still learning about it.New Years day was my first trip to Exmouth and will probably visit a bit more this year as its the closest on that coast to me and the waters clean!!!!,I'm playing about with props so might be good to compaire results,All my activity depends if people buy some Merc Vans if not I'm skint-cheers

willwood6 · 23-01-2009, 10:10 AM

I totally agree with Burty, try setting up the balane in the boat differently before you go to the extreme of trim tabs. After all it didn't come out of the factory with them fitted.
I set up a P20 the other year and put a 5 inch jack plate on it, this gave us an extra mile an hour or two at records week. Also set the boat up better for racing in the docks.
If your just going to ski and do the occasional race i wouldn't bother spending that much cash. Balance the boat out, get a prop to suit your driving style and away you go.