Trim Tabs Vs Interceptors
Interceptors have been growing in popularity, but how can they compete with traditional trim marks?
Boat trim tabs have been around forever, but in recent years many boat owners have opted to use interceptors. Which begs the question, what exactly are interceptors, and why would someone replace them with their trusty trim markers? Are they better at leveling rides? Will they make your boat run better than it already does?
We all know that trim tabs are horizontal metal plates that swing down from the back of the transom, creating an upward force (lift) to lift the back end of the boat while pushing the bow down. The tabs can be spread unevenly between port and starboard to help the boat run despite uneven weight or roll load. However, by doing this, they also increase the boat's resistance through the water.
Interceptors, on the other hand, are blades that sit inside a thin housing mounted on the edge of the transom and deploy vertically, pushing directly downward just below the bottom of the boat. Like tabs, when interceptors dip below the edge of the boat, they create lift. Multiple units can be installed along the transom to increase the amount of lift, while in the case of trim tabs, larger panels are commonly used for larger boats.
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The transoms push vertically down from the interceptors to create lift and stabilization force for the boat. They also generate much less drag than traditional cutting tabs, and are quick to deploy. But interceptors are more expensive and incompatible with high-speed boats.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Because interceptors are smaller than trim tabs (extending about an inch versus six inches or so for an average tab) they generate much less drag. This makes it more efficient, and much faster than publishing and editing tabs, by up to 4.5 to 6.5 seconds.
Interceptors also have an advantage from the hunter's point of view. If you've ever had a fight with a hot tuna and it suddenly lunged under the back of your boat and snapped your limbs off, you know what I'm talking about. Many fish have scratched lines on the tongues that stick to the bar with sharp metal edges. Interceptors eliminate those metal plates. The way the tabs appear can also be an issue in difficult docking conditions where they can get bumped against the stack. The tabs also get in the way when swimmers attempt to get back into the boat. No, folks, these are not steps!
However, there are a few negative aspects to interceptors. Boats traveling faster than 60 mph typically cannot use interceptors because the force of water flow against the blades at those speeds can cause damage. Boats longer than 60 feet also have a problem with mass-produced interceptor systems, because they are not built in large enough sizes (although there are some custom options out there). Finally, interceptors tend to be more expensive than traditional trim marks. Depending on the system, they may be double the cost.
There's also no doubt that interceptor systems at the other end of the spectrum – especially those with dynamic trim control – will help the boat perform much better. But they also cost too much. Determining what system your boat needs is up to you and your wallet.
Interceptors are much more compact and can be mounted to the transom of the boat. This placement reduces the chances of impact and eliminates the problem of fish rubbing the edge of the metal tongue.
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