Zip wake trim system

[Max123]

Its a nice video, but what it really shows me is the power of a voice-over sales pitch. What I saw was two identical boats, performing almost indistinguishably. The big reveal was a fat guy moving from side to side on glass smooth water - 'compelling' infomercial stuff, but not much more

Anyway, its comparing apples to oranges. A trim control system that is fully tied into gps, with real time pitch & yaw sensing is going to be able to compensate faster when the fat guy moves around if you are comparing it to a manual rocker switch controlled by the operator.

The Zipwake system comes with a really advanced package of controls, whereas most conventional tab systems come with zero automatic controls - just a basic rocker switch left to the skill of the captain. You'd need to compare the Zipwake controls up against something like the Lenco auto tab controls - alternatively compare it head to head with Volvo's interceptor control system (which almost looks like a Zipwake knock off). A rough water control test is always going to be more subjective and I have no good solution for that - but I suspect performace is more related to the tab control system rather than the tabs themselves.

I'd be interested to find out which system is more efficient in absolute terms. What they could have done is setup two identical boats with an out of balance load on a 25km run on smooth water. Compare fuel burn to see which is more efficient. That would tell us something useful.

 

[myles]

I have the 450s on my boat. They outperformed the traditional Bennant units in speed and reduced my planning speed by a few MPH which is nice when it's super rough you can bow down and stay on plane. The caviet is spare parts are difficult and expensive. I had the controller replaced under warranty, but out of warranty the controller alone is over 1k. Overall I would give them a 7/10 review. Yes, they improve performance and MPG, but it comes at a heavy cost with spare parts to nickel and dime you when things fail. If you have deep pockets or commercially operate then go for it , but if you're on a budget then regular tabs are better. You have to use the boat a lot to gain the fractional MPG improvement. Really the only thing I don't like is the cost and initial purchase price. Eventually, you will need new servo motors or controllers.

 

[northwest wind]

I have the 450s on my boat. They outperformed the traditional Bennant units in speed and reduced my planning speed by a few MPH which is nice when it's super rough you can bow down and stay on plane. The caviet is spare parts are difficult and expensive. I had the controller replaced under warranty, but out of warranty the controller alone is over 1k. Overall I would give them a 7/10 review. Yes, they improve performance and MPG, but it comes at a heavy cost with spare parts to nickel and dime you when things fail. If you have deep pockets or commercially operate then go for it , but if you're on a budget then regular tabs are better. You have to use the boat a lot to gain the fractional MPG improvement. Really the only thing I don't like is the cost and initial purchase price. Eventually, you will need new servo motors or controllers.

Just wondering the size of your boat and if the 450 was enough for your boat or would you size up given the chance

 

[northwest wind]

Well I just purchased the system and will install this winter. Once I’ve installed and test I will give a review. Thanks for all the feedback it helped.