Wake Tab: Does it work?

Wouldn't it change the plane angle of the boat, by pushing down,lifting the back up and causing the bow to dip down? Malibu had a doo hicky that was on the back of the boat under the water, like a plow that created a larger wake.

With the shape of your hull, I would not think a single trim tab in the center would be effective. It might also cause some cavitation (not sure). It seems possible that two trim tabs, such as used on offshore boats, might work, but I have my doubts. By the time you sink the time and money into the tabs, seems to me that you would be money ahead to sell you boat and buy a newer model. Even if you go with the tabs, you risk that they don't work as you had wanted them to work. My $.02. BKH

Riley wrote: Don't the new Correct Crafts have a similar trim tab?

Not exactly. The newer Nautiqes are available with a "hydrogate." The device is able to shape the wake depending on the position. I believe on the 196, it is supposed to be down for slalom and up for trick and jump.



As I understand it, it mainly has an affect on the rooster tail and consequently the table. Actual wake size isnt supposed to change, and supposedly the boat drives the same in either position.

On the other hand, the trim tab will force the front of the boat down (and lift up the stern) when it is in the down position. This may help the slalom wake a bit, as youre spreading the weight of the boat over a larger surface area. Ive seen pics of one used on a MC and it also cut down the rooster tail- but it was installed in the center (as pictured). Not sure if you could do that due to the shape of a Nautique hull.

I believe the Hydrogate slides up and down vertically, making a lip which covers the tunnel- so that whole triangle of metal slides up and down, rather than that rectangle piece hinging up and down like a trim tab. The rectangle piece just covers up the mechanicals which cause the up and down slide action of the triangle of metal that spans the tunnel. You can see the slotted holes in the triangle piece. Down for trick, up for everything else. ICBW.

EDIT- maybe down is for slalom. I'd have to see the back of one that didn't have the HG option installed- I think they just have a plate which is statically mounted to cover the tunnel.

I believe that by slightly raising the stern, providing some lift, the resultant wake would be slightly smaller, but more importantly, softer, especially the rooster tail.

I wonder whether a perfectly horizontal wake tab mounted above a "V"-shaped spine would have an effect or if it would only create handling problems and oddities in the wake.

As much as I would love to buy a newer model I can't right now. The sport tab costs $500.00. I am still undecided but I appreciate everyone's posts.

Thanks, Bill


1987 Ski Nautique

The narrow beam of the 2001 is probably also a contributor. The two hull generations after the 2001 also had the "deep spine" (which is referred to as a padded keel) as well. The tunnel in the padded keel wasn't added until the TSC2 hull in 2002. I'm no engineer either, but I've heard the keel design actually generates lift in leiu of any strakes on the older hulls.

Thanks GottaSki, I was about to grab a chain saw and cut the padded keel out of the bottom of the boat, slap on some fibergla$$, and make it shiny and smooth like the new boats.

I guess I set myself up for that one. Won't ever do it again.

MCman:
apparently there is nothing going on at the mc forums? Glad to have you join us. We're actually pretty nice (um...with a few notable exceptions--you know who you are!). Geez, I can't imagine ever surfing to a MC site...why would I do that? Someone explain why I would ever do that. Would I do that if this site totally sucked? I can't see it.

seriously, welcome mcman.

"Bored" prehaps ???????