Trim Tabs for '76 170

[boatnamesue]

Hey guys.  I'd like to hear from those of you who operate or have operated the 170 model (of the same or similar year to the '76) with trim tabs installed.  Trim tabs were not your everyday hull feature in '76 for bay boats, as compared to today where just about all factory bay boats come pre installed with tabs.  So before investing in tabs I'd like to learn how the hull performs with tabs installed from y'all who have experience with such.

My boat is powered by a yam 115hp, so I've got plenty of power.  Though because of the engines weight, being able to jump out of a shallow hole would be nice.  But the #1 purpose of me installing the tabs would be to manipulate port-star up and down.  During the majority of the year (march through oct), I keep an above deck 13 gal baitwell on the boat, cornered portside transom.  When it's full, that 100+ pound extra weight makes a significant difference with boat performance. 

thanks.

[mshugg]

I ran a 170.  It didn't have tabs. I did have transom baitwells, so running surface was lengthened a bit like tabs.  That was an old two-stroke 90, so much lighter than four-stroke.  I never felt the need for tabs on the 170.  Every boat I've owned since has had tabs.

With that said, tabs should check all your boxes.  Faster to plane-check.  Side to side leveling-check. Plus you'll be able to plane off at a lower speed, a bonus for rough water operation.

[wingtime]

I ran a 170.  I did have transom baitwells

I came across a set of transom baitwells for sale over here that I'm considering.  How did they handle?  I've heard good and bad things about them.

[mshugg]

I thought they worked well.  They were good for a dozen pinkish each.  I drilled holes for water flow near the waterline, so they were neutral in terms of weight on the stern.  The additional running surface seemed to help hole shot too.

[wingtime]

Are they strong enough to climb onto get in and out of the boat?  What about attaching ladder to them? Have to think of all the different ways I use the 170.

[mshugg]

I climbed on mine many times.  I will say, make sure they are well installed.  Dealer installed mine with # 12 screws and finish washers.  I replaced with lag screws and over size fender washers almost immediately.  It would also be worth reinforcing the seam at the top, but the design is sound.  As for a ladder, it would depend on the ladder, maybe core the top.