www.permatrims.com

Installed a M9 (sourced from Andy M. at SIM) on my 2006 Grady-White 228G with a F225. This is a bracketed 22 foot walk around. I exclusively fish in the ocean and typically carry alot of fuel (up to 150 gallons on tuna runs or ~900 lbs.) + alot of ice (up to 200 lbs.) + by T8 kicker (130lbs. including the mount) + sometimes a full live well (20 gallons or say 120 lbs.) + 10 gallons in my water tank + the F225 which is already heavy and, being on a bracket, causes what I call a bit of "stern leverage". Translation: this is a heavy, single engined boat. BTW - has Yamaha Salt Water II series SS prop with 17" pitch.

The boat actually runs fine as is but with all that weight, I found I was using the Bennet tabs at 50% or 75% down which I knew wasn't optimum. Plus the boat was a bit sluggish on plane. So two seasons later and researching hydrofoils, Andy sets me up with a Permatrim M9 for my F225.

Yesterday, after installing the Permatrim exactly as per Andy's tutorial, I did a trial run. Conditions in the ocean were a 5 foot swell at 14 seconds and zero wind. I had full fuel (~150 gallons), the T8 kicker, empty live well, no ice and two on board - so I was "medium heavy".

My observations after yesterday's sea trial:
o As advertised, the boat pops up on a plane much faster
o Can plane slower like at ~22 mph GPS at 3800 RPMs Vs 25mph @ 4000 RPMs
o This brings the GPH down to ~9 Vs. 11 GPH so MPG is up a little (2.44 Vs. 2.3)
o Boat handling is much better since the bow rides lower for better bow entry
o Now I can use the trim tabs to trim the boat left and right Vs. bow up or bow down
o Here's a surprise: no effect on top end speed (~41 mph) and
o The F225 achieves 6K RPM at WOT much, much easier & faster than before
o To me this says the engine isn't working as hard to deliver it's propulsion
o Steering feels "different" but okay and something I can get used to
o My Simrad autopilot seems to behave better with this new steering

So overall - I am very happy with it so far. I was not looking to gain economy (which I might) but rather better sea handling capabilities which it certainly seems to have done for me. Thank-you Andy for your help!

-As I promised, I would give all you some feedback on the results after installing this product to inform you if it helped correct the situation I was experiencing.

-My feedback to you is as follows; The Permatrim product I installed on my boat, not only corrected the awkward rear slide action in less than ideal water situations, it has changed the handle on the vessel completely. I could swear I would never have known it was the same boat. I still do not fully understand how something so simple in design and size could make such a huge difference. I have been a boat owner/operator for 25 plus years, have owned several different boat types, never have I made such a simple upgrade that would make such a huge difference. The installation instructions provided (.pdf format) by Shipyard Island Marina, Inc. were spot-on, easy to read and easy to do. Total install time was about 15 minutes. A special Thank you to Mr. Andrew J. Munao, Jr. (Shipyard Island Marina, Inc.) for his help and advice on the entire subject.

-The boat now handles like it is supposed to, it planes quickly and responds to steering like a sports car. I even got into some very nasty water conditions (4-5 ft swells, cross wind and confused current), these conditions occur at times in Prince William Sound Alaska around heavy island structure. In the past, before the Permatrim, I would have to slow roll the boat down to about 10 kts, and lumber through it for safety and comfort. With the Permatrim installed, the boat tracked true and safe, and I was able to operate at a safe speed of 20-22 kts.

-One other note to pass along, the boat came equipped with two Bennet Hyd Trim Tabs, before the Permatrim was installed, I had to keep them in the FULL down position at all times, now I can run them in a neutral position and use them for their intended purpose.

-It is worth twice the price I paid. Please use this testament to any other C-Dory customers, that this product will improve their boat handling, even if they don't have a real problem to speak of.

- One Last note: prior to the Permatrim I ran a 3-Blade; 15 pitch prop, I kept a 3-Blade 17 pitch prop as a spare. The Permatrim's new balance allowed almost a 300 RPM gain on the top end with the 15 pitch prop. I swapped over to a 4-blade; 15 pitch prop and now I tach-out 5900/6100 RPM (WOT) which gave me a 7 knot gain on the top end (that’s a BIG gain in this little boat). Last weekend I bought a 17 pitch-4 Blade prop to tone it down a bit, I can't wait to try it out. I am overly pleased with this product. If you have any other questions about this product I can try to answer, please contact me. www.arcticfusion.com