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I have a 1982 Outrage 25 w/twins. Has anyone used Volvo QL trim tabs on this type of hull? Can they even be mounted since there is no wood in the transom in the areas they go?
It is my understanding that they are hydraulically actuated so running that line is going to be the biggest concern. Honestly I would look at a set of Lenco's before anything else. I was very happy with mine on the 22 and they were fast and easy to install. There was no hydraulic pumps, lines, or oil to fuse with like the Bennette or Volvo. I also believe that they were quicker to respond over the others and were the much effective. They were HANDS DOWN the best thing I every put on a boat.
The Volvo QL trim system is electrically operated like the Lencos. They are touted as being quicker and more precise as well as offering less drag than conventional trim tabs. It seems very counter-intuitive given their design.
There are a couple of problems for owners of Classic Whalers considering retrofitting the Volvo QL Trim Tab system. The wire from the interceptor unit itself passes through the transom near the bottom of the hull, whereas on hydraulically operate trim tabs or electric Lencos, the hydraulic line or electrical cable passes through the transom at the top of the actuator/ram.
On a Whaler hull there will be a lot of foam to drill through and drill through at an angle to have the electrical wire exit above the inner liner of a Whaler hull. The instruction for the Volvo QL Trim Tab system describe how to do this, but on my 25 foot Whaler, for example, it would be tough.
The mounting instructions call for the interceptor units to be placed at least two inches in from the chine and eight inches from any motor's centerline. Additionally, it is advised to avoid spanning a strake if at all possible and, of course, the further outboard the better. That would make it very difficult to accommodate on a Classic Whaler, especially one with twin outboards.
I do see one special situation where the Volvo QL Trim Tab system might be great: Whaler Drive equipped Whalers with single motors. With the Whaler Drive models (less than 27 feet) there is no way to mount conventional trim tabs. The Volvo QL Trim Tab system may be on alternative to owners of such craft who want a way to effectively correct for list while underway.
