Precision Boat Performance Made Easy

Hard-core anglers spend tens of thousands of dollars on electronics, rods and reels—not to mention a bait collection that would impress most tackle-shop owners—in the name of performance. Whether it be sonar that helps them more easily find fish or a scientifically developed lure with a look, action and feel that makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing, the most devoted anglers are constantly on the lookout for the latest advancements.

Of course, dedicated anglers’ boats are among the most expensive investments of their lifetimes. Many spend more than a little extra money to get top performance out of their rigs. As the multi-species fishing boat increases in popularity, tackle collections grow and so does the need for cutting-edge chart plottersand other accessories. That in turn means more battery requirements to power these items.

What do each of these things have in common? Weight. And weight affects performance.

The Swedish-built Zipwake (zipwake.com) is an interceptor-based dynamic trim-control system designed to sense weight and running displacement, and automatically adjust to maximize boat performance. If a rig lists one way or another, the built-in gyro in the Zipwake system senses the imbalance and corrects the ride automatically. Unlike standard trim tabs where a hydraulic arm adjusts a small platform up and down in the water to achieve the desired ride, the low-profile Zipwake interceptor system simply creates lift by sliding the blade deeper into the water directly beneath the boat on the same plane as the transom.

“The standard 300-S kit is perfect for fiberglass or aluminum multi-species fishing boats, and it features one 12-inch interceptor installed on either side of the boat’s transom base,” explains Jamie Simmons, Zipwake product manager. “It’s a fully automatic system that not only adjusts to pitch and roll, but also features a built-in accelerometer, GPS and gyro sensor. In other words, it does all the calculations on the fly to create the most comfortable ride possible.”

Simmons notes that all the boat operator needs to do is input the boat’s length, beam and displacement, and the unit will calculate a “pitch curve” throughout the boat’s entire throttle range. That means the unit knows how much of the interceptor’s blade needs to be in the water while under countless driving scenarios.

“Not only does it maximize efficiency during the hole shot and provide adequate lift generation, but it also accounts for interior weight offsets while the boat is on plane to provide a level ride,” he says. “The Zipwake system will automatically adjust to numbers of driving maneuvers to create the most level and stable ride possible, including sharp turns while at speed. The gyro senses when it’s off-center and applies different blade positions for an instant change and a perfect ride.”

Simmons points out that while the system is automatic and basically hands-off, anglers can adjust it manually to perfect the ride in any condition. Not only does the Zipwake dynamic trim control create a comfortable ride, but it also maximizes fuel efficiency and reduces stress to the drive components, adding life to the rig.

Zipwake offers the system in two product lines to cover a wide range of boats. Most anglers will find the S Series, which is made for boats up to 50 feet long and speeds of up to 60 knots, most applicable. The E Series is designed for larger boats up to 100 feet long. A complete S Series system starts at about $2,700 and includes one pair of interceptors, a distribution unit that supplies the system with power, and either a standalone control panel or an integrator module to seamlessly connect the system to a boat’s multifunction display.

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It’s a simple fact that getting the most performance out of a boat requires investing in top electronics and gear. Each angler has a different budget, of course, but the Zipwake trim-control system is an affordable add-on that makes a real difference on the water. Zipwake will not only impress and assist anglers, but also make boats happier, too.