Marine Technology Group

DuraPlane Marine Trim Tabs

 
DURAPLANE MARINE TRIM TABS

In the offshore boating industry everybody knows the benefits of trim tabs: getting on plane, smoothing the ride, correcting a list, and improving fuel efficiency.  As a matter of fact, trim tabs have practically become standard equipment on high performance boats over 30’.  However, people may not be aware that there is an alternative to the industry standard.

DuraPlane Marine has built a better mousetrap.  DuraPlane trim tabs have been elegantly designed to utilize internal cylinders and do away with external hoses and indicator cables.  This design not only protects the components from damage and corrosion; it also results in a beautiful product.  Backing the vessel is safer as the chance of snagging hydraulic hoses is eliminated.  There is no need to haul the boat for simple maintenance as service can be performed from within the engine compartment.  This minimizes boat owner hassles and reduces the risk of polluting the waters with hydraulic fluid.

DuraPlane offers tab systems in marine grade aluminum, bronze, and titanium.  We offer these three product lines in custom sizes and colors to meet the needs of every boater.

The mission of DuraPlane is to build a trim tab system second to none in the industry.   All of our components, including gauges, switches and hydraulic pumps, are specified for heavy-duty use.  When you purchase a DuraPlane trim tab system, you can be assured that you are getting a product of the highest quality.

Link to DuraPlane Marine web site

DURAPLANE'S DISTINCTION FROM OTHER PRODUCTS

Conventional trim tab designs expose hydraulic hoses and indicator cables/wiring to potential damage and corrosion from the external environment. DuraPlane has created a product which places the cylinder, hoses and indicator/wiring inside the engine compartment, away from the corrosive effects of water. This is accomplished with an innovative design which combines the hydraulic cylinder with the cast transom plate. The hydraulic barrel, with it's attached hoses and internal gauge sensor, is completely within the engine compartment ahead of the transom. The rod, which articulates the tab/plane, protrudes through the transom and connects to the link rod on the tab. A Buna rubber boot is mounted between the transom plate and the moving rod to keep barnacle growth to a minimum, although it is not needed for prevention of leakage in that the seals in the rear of the cylinder are adequate.

BENEFITS OF USING DURAPLANE TRIM TABS

The transom of the boat is cleaned up with all of the hoses and cables inside. Backing the vessel is safer in that chances of snagging hydraulic hoses or damaging fittings is eliminated. This is especially advantageous in icy waters. Corrosion of these components is also subverted.

Minimize the chance of hydraulic fluid ever getting into the outside environment:

Custom sizes and configurations are easily designed and delivered with standard internal components, thereby making spare parts readily available.

Access to hoses and indicator cables or wiring is inside the engine compartment instead of in the water. A certain amount of cylinder maintenance can also be performed from inside the boat, thus preventing the need to haul a vessel simply to work on trim tab cylinders.

The bronze and 17-4 PH stainless steel parts utilized in DuraPlane trim tabs are virtually inert to the effects of seawater with proper maintenance of sacrificial anodes. Installation of DuraPlane trim tabs is actually simpler than that of standard tabs. Also, the practicality of having a clean transom without fragile components is self- evident.  

Durability yields low maintenance and less costs to keep the system functioning as it should. The initial cost of bronze is higher than cast aluminum units, but if the vessel is to be used in saltwater, the costs incurred over time will eventually be less. Every component in the DuraPlane design (including gauges, switches and hydraulic pumps) is designed and specified for heavy duty, long lasting use.

DURAPLANE TRIM TAB MATERIALS

ALMAG 535

Typically, trim tabs are cast using an aluminum material known as 356T6.  The problem with this material is that it doesn’t always stand up to the rigorous demands of high-speed performance boats.  It’s not uncommon to see a tab that has been bent into the shape of a banana after some tough thumps in big seas.  If the tabs don’t give in to physical stress, they eventually succumb to corrosion.

The engineers at DuraPlane have tackled these problems head on.  For starters, our aluminum tabs are constructed of Almag 535.  This material has a tinsel strength 36% higher than 356T6 aluminum and is more resistant to corrosion than billet aluminum.  The DuraPlane advantage doesn’t stop there.  The Almag series features protected internal cylinders that do away with exposed hoses and indicator cables.  From the cylinders to the castings, every component of the DuraPlane system has been painstakingly engineered to last. 

BRONZE

If you need marine equipment that will stand up to the rigorous demands of a workboat, look no further.  DuraPlane Marine has developed a line of trim tabs that are more resistant to corrosion than anything on the market.  Our high quality, cast bronze units are constructed from the same marine grade NiBrAl material as propellers.  These units are extremely resistant to corrosion and have a higher tensile strength than aluminum. The Bronze series also features protected internal cylinders that do away with exposed hoses and indicator cables.  If your boat lives and works in salt water, the investment in these beautiful bronze trim tabs will pay off time and time again.


TITANIUM

For the ultimate in strength and corrosion resistance, DuraPlane offers billet or vacuum cast titanium trim tabs.  The engineers at DuraPlane designed this system to meet the grueling demands of offshore powerboat racing.  Titanium is as light as aluminum, stronger than stainless steel, and more resistant to corrosion than bronze. The Titanium series also features protected internal cylinders that do away with exposed hoses and indicator cables.  From design, to material strength and durability, the DuraPlane Ti series are the best trim tabs available anywhere.

AVAILABLE TRIM TAB SIZES

DuraPlane Marine offers both standard as well as custom size trim tabs.  OEM trim tabs are available in both standard as well as custom sizes with the OEM product logo cast into the top of the trim tab.

DuraPlane Trim Tabs are based on the transom mounting bracket sizes.  Multiple standard as well as custom sizes can be made using the same size transom bracket.

All DuraPlane Trim Tabs are available in any color to complement any vessel color scheme.

14" Transom Bracket Sizes
Standard Sizes
 in (mm)
14 x 13 (356 x 330)
14 x 20 (356 x 508)
14 x 21 (356 x 533)
14 x 30 (356 x 762)
Custom sizes available

20" Transom Bracket Sizes
Standard Sizes
 in (mm)
20 x 12 (508 x 305)
Custom sizes available

24" Transom Bracket Sizes
Standard Sizes
 in (mm)
24 x 21 (610 x 533)
24 x 30 (610 x 762)
Custom sizes available

24" Transom Arrayed Bracket Sizes
Sizes built to suit the application in (mm)