Zipwake Dynamic Trim Control System: FAQs

Zipwake has two different Series of products, Series S & Series E, and those two product ranges cover boats from 20’ to 100’, with Series S typically recommended for boats in the 20’ to 60’ range and Series E for boats in the 50’ to 100’ range.

June 7, 2023

What size boats are Zipwake systems intended for?

Zipwake has two different Series of products, Series S & Series E, and those two product ranges cover boats from 20’ to 100’, with Series S typically recommended for boats in the 20’ to 60’ range and Series E for boats in the 50’ to 100’ range. There are exceptions of course, and every installation is different, so it’s best to consult with the experts at Imtra or a Zipwake dealer to go over the specifics of your boat.

At what speeds are Zipwake interceptors effective?

Zipwake interceptors are designed for planing and semi-planing boats, so boats that cruise at any speed less than 10 knots will likely not see the intended benefits of the system. On very fast boats, Zipwake’s interceptor blades can be damaged by speeds over 60 knots, so if the system is in Auto mode, the blades will automatically retract at that speed, and redeploy as the boat slows down.

Will Zipwake interceptors create drag and reduce boat speed?

Technically speaking, anything attached to a boat below the waterline will create some amount of drag, but the blades of Zipwake interceptors are so small – 30mm for Series S interceptors & 60mm for Series E interceptors – that the drag created is minimal. In fact, because Zipwake interceptors create more lift on the transom than they do drag through the water, extensive testing shows slight gains in speed when using the system than without it. Due to the significantly larger surface area of traditional trim tabs, interceptors also create less drag than an appropriately sized tab would for the same boat.

Is Zipwake difficult to install?

“Difficult” is a relative term, but installing a Zipwake system is very straightforward and no more complicated than a trim tab installation. Because the installation process is the same for all sizes of Zipwake’s interceptors, the installation is much simpler on bigger boats than installing a large and heavy trim tab that requires hydraulic actuators and two people to hold it in place while a third fastens it down.

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