NC11 - Adding Trim Tabs??

[bostonboater]

Hi - considering a 2015 NC11 and it doesn't have the factory-installed trim tabs, at least according to the listing. From reading these threads we understand you REALLY want the trim tabs for anything above 1-2 foot seas. We regularly see more than that and of course have to plan for what may be worse. 

Has anyone added trim tabs? What was the process and cost? Directly from Jeanneau, DIY, or 3rd party installer? As far as I can tell the closest authorized Jeanneau dealer to the Boston area is in Bridgewater, CT, though there are plenty of authorized service centers around.

Any other advice would be welcome. Especially concerning the twin 200hp diesel Volvos... Coming from a relatively heavy inboard vdrive express cruiser with twin 330hp gassers, the Volvos seem like they may be a bit underpowered especially with gear, people, and in less than ideal conditions. What's your experience?

Thank you in advance!

[sjgoodwin]

 Hi I have my NC 11 on Georgian Bay and we too often see rough water. I am pretty sure the trim tabs came from the factory. Normally I don’t use them much unless we have to put the bow down due to the weather. I would be really surprised if that isn’t standard from the factory. I think any reputable mechanic could likely install them, you just have to research which ones you prefer. I know some of these boats have different makes. Mine is the Lenco.  I can send pictures if you’d like.

As to the engines, I find they work quite well. As they are diesel they have a lot of torque. The gas mileage will be excellent compared to the boat you’re coming from.

Happy to answer any questions. I can give you my email if you like.   

[bostonboater]

Thank you so much! I learned that the Trim Tabs were not standard equipment. I also called the Jeanneau dealer nearest to the boat and they said that they install trim tabs all the time since so many people didn't order their boats with them. However, they are currently lacking technicians and couldn't offer me a price. Instead they gave me the name and number of a local installer who they know does it. Left a message but haven't heard back yet.

Thanks also for the feedback about the engines. What's your usual load onboard? How many people, little or lots of gear, etc.?

[morrisond]

Before you go and buy them - research ZIPWAKE and the new Seakeeper Ride System.  Ride may not be available until next year - but Zipwake has good reviews - I wish I had that and not Lenco's.  Lenco's work but they are pretty dumb.

The RIDE system looks phenominal.

[bostonboater]

Aug 10, 2022 13:46:19 GMT morrisond said:

Before you go and buy them - research ZIPWAKE and the new Seakeeper Ride System.  Ride may not be available until next year - but Zipwake has good reviews - I wish I had that and not Lenco's.  Lenco's work but they are pretty dumb.

The RIDE system looks phenominal.

Thank you - will do - much appreciated!

[richardc1]

You definitely need trim tabs. The engines are light, but placed close to the stern. So therefore tabs are essential unless running near to full speed. They also help reduce the slam that you get with a wide beam boat in heavy chop.

Overall performance with the D3 Volvos is excellent. They suit the relatively light boat well, and as previously mentioned have excellent torque and fuel economy.
Good luck, we love ours!

Richard (Michigan).

And if you do buy it there is a fairly active email group of NC11 owners here in the US and across the world.

[bostonboater]

Thank you, makes perfect sense and I appreciate your point of view. 

Is the NC11 email list only for owners, or also prospective owners? If the latter is ok, how can I join? 

[bostonboater]

Sept 13, 2022 0:08:04 GMT richardc1 said:

And if you do buy it there is a fairly active email group of NC11 owners here in the US and across the world.

Our offer was accepted! How do I get on that email list? Thanks in advance! Very exciting!

[Hanzel]

Congratulations with your new NC11.
We love ours and wish you lots of fun and beautiful time with it.

[bostonboater]

Sept 16, 2022 8:35:54 GMT Hanzel said:

Congratulations with your new NC11.
We love ours and wish you lots of fun and beautiful time with it.

Thank you! Any idea on how to get on the mailing list Richard mentioned?

[Hanzel]

No idea, also I am interested to join, asked before without result…….

So also from my side: can anyone advise how to join?

[Time Out]

Seakeeper Ride System looks both interesting and promising - when available.
If you don't want to wait, Lenco or Bennett trim tabs are your option.
Zipwake will not fit on the boat.
I retrofitted trimtabs some years ago, and Zipwake was on the top of my list.
NC 11's transom is slightly curved. There is a flat patch on each side for mounting tabs.
Zipwake interceptors must have a flat surface!
Yes, you can always do some structural modifications to get a smooth, flat transom, but the easy and cheapest way out is to go for regular, boring trim tabs. I ended up with Lenco.

[dannyrusso]

I had Bennett hydraulic on my last boat and now Lenco electric tabs on my NC 795.  I had issues with the Bennett, with the solenoids requiring replacement.  I believe it happened two or three times in the 10 years I owned the boat.  Also, I would imagine the Lenco electric tabs are an easier installation, and they likely operate faster than the Bennett tabs.

[drbob]

Sept 20, 2022 10:10:28 GMT Time Out said:

Seakeeper Ride System looks both interesting and promising - when available.
If you don't want to wait, Lenco or Bennett trim tabs are your option.
Zipwake will not fit on the boat.
I retrofitted trimtabs some years ago, and Zipwake was on the top of my list.
NC 11's transom is slightly curved. There is a flat patch on each side for mounting tabs.
Zipwake interceptors must have a flat surface!
Yes, you can always do some structural modifications to get a smooth, flat transom, but the easy and cheapest way out is to go for regular, boring trim tabs. I ended up with Lenco.

[drbob]

I find that it is sometimes difficult to get to plane (or above 3500rpm) especially with full diesel tanks, our dinghy with a motor on the Davit  and a few extra people onboard even with the drives trimmed down fully. With less of a load and clean props and hull I find the best cruising RPM to be 3600-3750. The boat cruises at 20 - 25kts in calm conditions with a fuel burn rate of 70LPH. If I slip under 3600rpm I lose plane and things are not as efficient.  I'm worried that this is too close to my WOT of 4000rpm and is going to be hard on the engines. I would prefer to be able to plane at around 3000 - 3200. I am considering  adding trim tabs to accomplish this. Would those owners with trim tabs, especially those that added them on, be able to comment on this?

[Hanzel]

Our NC11 is equipped with the factory installed Lenco trimtaps, which we mainly use with waves to have smoother ride with bow down.
Only few times needed to come more easy into plane, situation with full tanks (diesel, water and black water) and 6 people onboard of which 4 people outside sitting. Even than possible to go to plane without tabs but takes than some time.
I am surprised the high revs you need to stay in plane, we just need 2800 revs at around 28 kmh and fine ride at 3100 at 40 kmh with estimated fuel burn of 40-45 lph with 2 people onboard.
Our WOT is around 60 kmh at 3900 rpm with clean bottom and props, end season (few weeks ago) we did 55 kmh at 3700-3800 rpm (2 people and 90% fuel, minimal water).
This was taken with some current and wind against and still get SOG 54 kmh.



Did you ever test without your dinghy and less people?

[drbob]

Thanks for that Hanzel. I'll try again on a calm day without the dinghy on the back. Interesting that your drives are trimmed up more than I usually have them. I'll have to play around with that as well. Do you have Vovo Penta twinD3 200hp motors?

[Hanzel]

Hi Bob,

Yes, I have the twin Volvo D3-200.
Trimming up the drives on flat water raises the bow and reduces the lenght of the waterline, thus reducing the water resistance.
I get than higher rpms and speed and of course trimtabs completely inn 😁.

What I was thinking of, looking to your performance (speed vs rpms), are you sure you have the original props?
What is your WOT speed at 4000rpms?

best regards,
Hans

[drbob]

Yes the props are original. Speed at WOT (4000) is generally25-28kts but that is with the drives trimmed fully down. I'll try trimming up to see if  that improves the efficiency and try things without the dinghy on the davit as well.

[dublinnc11]

Nov 9, 2023 8:54:31 GMT Hanzel said:

Our NC11 is equipped with the factory installed Lenco trimtaps, which we mainly use with waves to have smoother ride with bow down.
Only few times needed to come more easy into plane, situation with full tanks (diesel, water and black water) and 6 people onboard of which 4 people outside sitting. Even than possible to go to plane without tabs but takes than some time.
I am surprised the high revs you need to stay in plane, we just need 2800 revs at around 28 kmh and fine ride at 3100 at 40 kmh with estimated fuel burn of 40-45 lph with 2 people onboard.
Our WOT is around 60 kmh at 3900 rpm with clean bottom and props, end season (few weeks ago) we did 55 kmh at 3700-3800 rpm (2 people and 90% fuel, minimal water).
This was taken with some current and wind against and still get SOG 54 kmh.



Did you ever test without your dinghy and less people?

Great info. Do you know what your fuel burn is at the 3800rpm cruise? What sort of speeds would you usually cruise with .5-1m seas I wonder?

[Hanzel]

Hi Dublinnc11, usually at our home waters we run around 1500 rpm (rivers and lakes).
At big waters like bigger lakes and sea, with flat water we mostly run at plane at 3000-3200 rpm at 40 kmph and estimated fuel burn of around 40 liters. Sometimes we (meaning me, not my wife 😅) push the throttle fully forward and as per the official figures this should lead to 80 liters per hour.
With seas of 0,5-1 meter it depends on the direction and form of the waves, full against tab and drives down and with 2600-2800 rpm at 25 kmph it is not to bad. With waves in the back or very long waves we do mainly the 3000-3200 rpms to have smooth ride.
Hope this will help you.

What is your experience with waves and speeds?
Hans

[dublinnc11]

Cheers even better info. I've only had it a few months and have limited runs out in the open sea. I have a longer journey planned as part of the moving process to my home port and I was curious about how to approach it. I found near 1m seas could be quite tricky and better in displacement mode. I also don't want to be banging waves for 10 hours if I can keep the speed up the better.

Unfortunately mine does not have trim tabs so I might have them installed or zipwake interceptors before I make a long journey. 

[Hanzel]

Believe me, with waves, displacement mode is no option unless waves come from straight forward or backward!
Our hull design will start rolling when waves from other directions and only way to get some stability is speed, even 25 kmph is enough to get this stability.
Agree with you that trim tabs should be installed preferably to keep bow down in waves.
When not, wait until flat water and enjoy fast ride 👍