[Fishonnelsons]

I’m going to do something this winter on the 38 Wesmac. Leaning toward zipwake, like the style versus bennett, but a friend has the Volvo Penca on his 35 Nauset, and he likes them a lot.

Anyone have experience with Volvo Penta versus zipwake, pros and cons, system and costs seem very similar. Anyone know obvious differences?

 

[Red At Night Series]

The 38 Lowell Thoroughbred has had Zipwakes installed and I believe he is happy with them.

 

[ArchHibb]

I had an issue with my Zipwake installation that anyone installing the kit should keep an eye out for; stripped out screws. At the end of last season, both interceptors had a 1/16" to 1/8" gap between their bottom edges and the transom indicating some screws had stripped out.

After removing the interceptors, overboring all the holes again, and refilling them with new epoxy/milled fiber, I thought it wise to perform some pull tests on a separate sample of the cured epoxy/milled fiber mix. I quickly discovered the problem wasn't with the cured epoxy, but rather the instruction's specified 3/16" hole size. The screw is so large that after penetrating only 1/4" or so, it stalled and started to tear out the threads. However, you can't detect this stalling when screwing the tabs in place because you can't see the holes on the boat and pressing the torx bit onto the screw to turn it drives it into the hole regardless. At that point, the screw is basically being held in by friction.

Using the next larger bit 13/64", I drilled a hole in the epoxy sample, leaving the bottom closed. This time, the screw drove in smoothly creating perfect threads and then bottomed out. No matter how hard I tried, I could not drive the screw in further or strip out the threads.

My recommendation is to test both hole sizes to see which works best for your installation.

View attachment a. resin milled fiber sample.jpg

View attachment b. 3 16ths stripped holes.jpg

View attachment c. 13 64ths hole.jpg

View attachment d. restored pad.jpg

View attachment e. finished pad.jpg

 

[chortle]

Glad it wasn't a major deep six issue while in the water. For the re-installation, how about drilling and tapping and installing with machine screws with some 4200? You could do another test first but I would guess that with that thick pad you laid up on the transom it would be plenty strong.

 

[ArchHibb]

Drilling and tapping is a good idea. The screws and their threads are plenty strong, it’s getting the proper fit in their holes that’s critical. Others have proposed thru-bolting, but (1) I don’t think it’s necessary for strength and (2) I really really didn’t want 36 thru holes in my hull protected only by sealant. All my holes are deadheaded (sealed shut) at the interior side by solid glass so there’s no chance for leaks.

 

[BillD]

excellent posts !
I'll be installing Zipwakes on the 27 H&H QSB 5.9 480

 

[c1steve]

Drilling and tapping is very strong.

 

[cb34]

I'm going to do something this winter on the 38 Wesmac. Leaning toward zipwake, like the style versus bennett, but a friend has the Volvo Penca on his 35 Nauset, and he likes them a lot.

Anyone have experience with Volvo Penta versus zipwake, pros and cons, system and costs seem very similar. Anyone know obvious differences?

Last 2 boats I had the volvo QL tabs. The most I got out of them was 2-3 seasons. The gears inside are plastic so any little hang up from growth they strip out. I believe Volvo QL have been discontinued. I put Zips on my new build hoping for longer life.

 

[Tuna Pursuit]

Zips going on the duffy

 

[BUDXR7]

Between the cost of a system and the labor to install, is there an ROI on these? Anybody calc that? I understand the idea is a better ride, which can't be monetarily quantified (and may be subjective anyhow), but fuel savings are real and would help my decision on a commitment like this.

 

[BillD]

not much of any $ROI$ when it comes to recreational boat owning.

Earning a living with a boat??? That's a different equation figuring out ROI.

For me the ROI on trim tabs is comfort I suppose. I hate when the boat is not in near perfect trim

 

[ArchHibb]

Bud - My opinion is it’s way too subjective to individual boats to generalize any ROI. DE’s are already one of the most fuel efficient hull forms out there, so I would venture to say their ROI will be less than a twin engines deep-vee.

As an example, I can pick up a knot by pushing the bow down. A wetter ride, but okay let’s go with 14kts vs 13kts which cuts 15 mins off a 50 mi. journey. At 10 gals/hr. 15 mins is 2.5 gals. or about $10 saved. Divide that into the Zipwake purchase & install and you’ll see it’s a lot of miles to pay for it.

 

[Moover]

I am very happy with the Zipwake's, although I don't use the auto mode. A couple of things I don't like about the Zipwake. To set the auto pitch, you don't set a running angle in the system. It asks you to set how much tab you want at various speeds. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but the amount of tab required to run at say a 3.5 degree pitch varies every trip. So, I run them manually. Second, as quickly as the roll feature responds (and it is quick), the boat takes a minute to respond to the tab, so I find that it seems to almost overcompensate causing the boat to roll back and forth even more when in auto mode. Again, there may be settings in there to fix that, but I simply have not had the time to play with it.

Things I like are: Very little sticking out the back of the boat. When fishing, I did not want a tab sticking out for lines to get caught on. I also like that they retract when you shut down. Also, it takes very little tab for a big adjustment in running angle or roll.

Overall, I'm very happy with them and I'm glad I went this route as opposed to full length rails. This gives me adjustability that the rails wouldn't.

Hi, I am interested in the zip Wake system for my 35 Donelle.
Question: Now that you have more time on the system do you like it more, have you figured out the auto mode and the roll adjustment?
Thank you
Rob

 

[cb34]

Two seasons, had to change out one of the motors which had a re-call post first season. Second season no issues. I have not even tried to figure out the auto modes. Very helpful balancing the boat to the load and sea conditions. Everyone who says tabs are not necessary are envious creatures.....lol

 

[Moover]

Ok thanks. I have a call with the dealer today.

 

[Jjammer]

I added last year. Really like them for bringing bow down in certain conditions, picking up a bit of speed, and also lateral roll reduction in a quartering sea etc..

 

[Moover]

I added last year. Really like them for bringing bow down in certain conditions, picking up a bit of speed, and also lateral roll reduction in a quartering sea etc..

 

[Moover]

Yea good to hear. Is the roll reduction greatly reduced?

 

[Jjammer]

Yea good to hear. Is the roll reduction greatly reduced?

I found it positively noticeable yeah.

I don't think you'll regret the add.

@BBO is the Imtra rep. Reach out to him he's awesome.

 

[BillD]

First full season with the Zipwakes on the 27 H&H...150 hours of running time.

I use the zipwakes to "trim" the pitch at varying speeds and to level the boat out side to side when 60 gals of fuel down on one side or the other. .

I have not used the auto roll/pitch feature.

The boat with 480 hp runs between no wake and 25 mph effortleesly.

Depending on speed it really helps keeping the bow trimmed down to 4.5-4.8 degrees up bubble at higher speeds.

I'd install them again.

I do like the auto cleaning mode that is adjustable to once a day, week, etc.