Longer trim tabs... Bout to give up!

[Spartanator]

I have been looking around on OSE and I see plenty of trim tabs but want to know which ones. I DO NOT like the ones in the Spartan section, they are a bit "ugly". I do have some on the way from RCBoatBlitz, should be here within 15 days. I will see how they perform, I will also see if 4 can fit but they look a bit wide. Also wanting a Stinger... I wish OSE made tabs like the ones I ordered... So far I am $56.76 in, I don't know if I have to pay Customs since there from Aussie Land...?


Is it better to have short wide tabs?
Is it better to have long wide tabs?
Is it better to have longer tabs but up on angle?

I know how they work and what not on a 1:1 but these little guys are a bit different....

If there is a thread on this point me to it, most input appreciated >lol

[Spartanator]

Now I am giving up, I got my "trim tabs" in today but correct me if I am wrong---



Can anybody confirm that these are trim tabs???? lol

[shartinspartin]

That blows.

[PowerDemon]

That SUCKS Spartanator how long was the ship time because I want to order a set for my boat.

[dag-nabit]

Drill a couple holes, and a bit of file work and you should be able to mod it to fit.
That's really disappointing waiting for parts, and they send the wrong stuff.
Kevin

[Spartanator]

Yep, it sucks a whole lot... I ordered 5/14/14 and landed at the Post Office on 5/27/14, it was of course a package where somebody "Authorized" must answer the door and I wasn't at the house. Went to the Post Office next day (28th) argued with the "lady" behind the counter for 15 minutes over it because she could not find it, after telling her for the 3rd time to look into the International bin or something of that nature she finally found it... Shipping speed wasn't bad, I have been to Perth, Australia and have had stuff mailed so I know it takes more than a week. I am just going to do a refund, they didn't offer to take care of return postage and that's why I am not happy.... I do understand it is a simple error but come on, almost anyone can read the packing slip twice. I think I will just stick with the quad setup that sorrta works. The prop by the way, DULL and poorly packed in a simple bubble envelope.

[shartinspartin]

did you pay with paypal? If so file a claim and theyll take care of you

[Spartanator]

It is through Ebay (so through PayPal), if they don't send me a full refund then I will have to take further action even if it is $10. Sorry but I will not be stuck on this one, I waited and got sent the wrong part. They admitted it is human error, which is obvious but this is what separates companies from others. It would be nice if these would fit the Spartan without drilling: OSE Speedmaster For kicks I should mail them a invoice for return shipping! lol!

EDIT: I will still try to send the prop back, RC Boat Blitz is correcting the hiccup. I have there updated response below:
Seller's message:
"Tyler, sorry I didn't realize you were outside of Aus and couldn't return the prop to us for free using the normal reply paid method. Instead of sending the prop back keep it and I'll have a set of tabs sent today regs Joe "

[Joecisnero]

I have used (4)Four of OSE trim tabs for spartan and they worked out great .
There is a place in the spartan hull which provides for the mounting of the trim tabs. That should work out fine . The trim tabs should be relied on for a splash down before you loose it.

[Spartanator]

I have used (4)Four of OSE trim tabs for spartan and they worked out great .
There is a place in the spartan hull which provides for the mounting of the trim tabs. That should work out fine . The trim tabs should be relied on for a splash down before you loose it.

They don't look all that bad but I do prefer the ones I ordered, well originally ordered... I am not sure what else you meant but this is what I got from your post: I use 4 OSE trim tabs, the have been working great. The Spartan provides 8 holes for the tabs but 4 must be "broken through/drilled". Trim tabs are in place so you don't lose control of the boat. Please don't think I am correcting you, just trying to make sure everyone reading this get's the point.

[dag-nabit]

Here are a few thoughts on trim tabs.

Unlike the Spartan, on "other" rc boats there is often little or no room to adjust battery position. Trim tabs are used to adjust the attitude of the boat. Move them down a bit to lift the stern and force the bow down, or lift them up a bit to lower the stern and allow the bow to raise up. The weight of the batteries, and placement of other components can have an effect on how the boat planes out, and trim tabs are used to adjust/compensate for differences.

Too much down trim can cause the boat to run wet sacrificing speed, and, it will "kick up" the stern if you het a wave causing the boat to nose in or "torpedo" into the water. Too little down trim allows to bow to rise, with less hull contact increasing speed, but increasing the risk of "blow over".

On the Spartan, much of this adjustment can be accomplished with battery placement. Move the batteries forward to keep the bow down, and allow the stern to rise up more, move the batteries rearward to allow the bow to rise, and keep the stern lower in the water.

There have been many posts about creating a "ride pad" using extra tabs, or larger tabs, to compensate for the fact the Spartans steep V angle makes the boat unstable when riding high on plane.

There are a couple things to consider in this regard:

1. This is not the intended purpose of trim tabs, if you adjust your tabs low enough to contact the water and a create a "ride pad", you are likely raising the stern, causing the boat to a) ride even higher on that steep V, and b) forcing the bow down and causing the boat to run "wetter".

2. The trim tabs are mounted at the same angle as the hull, so any "ride pad" created by the trim tabs is at exactly the same steep V angle as the hull, therefore it really isn't very likely that you will be adding any stability.

I ran one Spartan last season with no trim tabs, and no turn fins installed. My observation was that with proper battery placement the Spartan runs exactly the same, with or without trim tabs.

Moving the batteries forward a bit puts a bit more hull in the water, which sacrifices a bit of speed, but adds some stability.

After three seasons with the Spartan, the conclusion I have arrived at is that this boat is not properly designed to run at speeds in excess of 50 mph. I find once you start approaching the 50 mph point, the boat becomes unstable with only the slightest disruption of a wave or change in direction.

We eventually stopped trying to push the Spartans past 50 mph. And found we got the most enjoyment running in the mid to high 40's and just chasing each other around the lake.

This is my opinion, based on much experimentation, experience, and observation. I know others have posted about their successes with various trim tab options, and if you find something that is working for you, roll with it. But in my experience you can do as much or more with battery placement than you can with trim tabs.

Kevin

[Spartanator]

Wowo! Thanks for the tips/rules/info. I have had my need for speed filled, at least on this hull... I do enjoy running mine now, not too bad but tuning is getting better! I just think that if I run longer tabs at 0 or -.5 then it will help this sucker. I get a lot of torque roll, even with both 5s lipos. I now run the P215 due to debris hitting my X442... I a now remembering what it's like to run in water with constant boat wakes! I agree that battery placement plays a HUGE part in this hull.

[dag-nabit]

It's always worth trying, that's how we find solutions and fixes, and tinkering is a big part of the fun of RC.

I'm just not convinced that trim tabs are going to be the miracle cure for the Spartan based on my experience running without tabs, and my experience of trim tab adjustments on other boats.

But it is nothing more than that, an opinion, based on my experience. And a sharing of ideas for consideration.

Kevin

[Joecisnero]

I agree with your opinion. You are absolutely correct. Do whatever you can to get the attitude of the boat as stable as possible. This hull is being pushed passed its limit over 50 mph. Trim tabs should not be used as a ride pad

[PowerDemon]

Wowo! Thanks for the tips/rules/info. I have had my need for speed filled, at least on this hull... I do enjoy running mine now, not too bad but tuning is getting better! I just think that if I run longer tabs at 0 or -.5 then it will help this sucker. I get a lot of torque roll, even with both 5s lipos. I now run the P215 due to debris hitting my X442... I a now remembering what it's like to run in water with constant boat wakes! I agree that battery placement plays a HUGE part in this hull.

I think if you have torque roll your strut placement is too low. I found this out the other day when I was running the strut too low.