SeaNova – between the hammer and the anvil 

The DANGA is stern heavy since the gas tank and the battery box are located in the stern, under the motor well. As one might predict, the lack of trim results in the boat ‘squatting’ somewhat at slow speeds – making it run w/ it’s nose in the air at slow speeds and slow to plane. Beyond that, the boat accelerates unevenly w/ it suddenly speeding up once it achieves plane and it porpoises a bit at high speeds.
Short of relocating the gas tank, I was looking around for a solution to the performance issues and trim tabs seemed the proper solution. I went w/ “Smart Tabs”, a non-hydraulic set of trim tabs. Here’s a description of how the tabs work (pictures to follow):

Smart tabs are completely automatic requiring no operator adjustment while underway. The nitrogen Gas Actuator provides lift at the stern of the boat by holding the trim plate down during acceleration. The amount of lift is determined by the actuator load rating and the trim plate adjustment.

Nauticus trim tabs start in a downward angle to maximize lift at slow speeds. As the boat accelerates, the water pushes up on the trim plates providing lift to the stern which minimizes bow rise, and allows the boat to plane quickly.

Once the water pressure exceeds the actuator load rating (maximum lift) the trim plates move up to a horizontal position eliminating any drag.

They were easy to install and so I raced to the nearby lake to test them out. SUCCESS! The tabs really improve the running of the boat. The bow stays low throughout the entire power range of the motor and the acceleration is smooth from idle to flat out full throttle. The boat planes at much lower throttle and boat is stable at full throttle – no porpoising. In addition, the boat turns better; tight and controlled (since the two tabs independently adjust to the differing pressure during each turn, they ‘automatically’ stabilizing turns too. Finally, the manufacturer claims that the boat will have better fuel economy as well – we’ll see about that. I need to get zinc anodes installed for running in salt water but I’m very satisfied w/ this product….

We wanted to get the boat under cover but not in the middle of the driveway, so we invested in a temporary shelter. Here it is (it’s so ugly that Lynn may end up relenting and allow me to build an out building!):

But DANGA fits in there very well. I’ve plenty of space to work on things and, perhaps, store other things there as well!:

Now that that DANGA has hit the water (but is not finished!) and the garage is empty (but not clean!) I’ve been thinking that I should start thinking about my next project. I think I’ve found it, the Glen-L 14, a 14′ sloop – a day sailer.

Here’s the top view: