Help with '75 18 ft Seacraft project

[Fr. Frank]

no such thing as a stupid question . . . only stupid mistakes!

Yeah. Usually caused by not asking questions in the 1st place.

Regarding trim tabs, I use them primarily for lateral (side-to-side trim). A deep-V will tend to lean into the wind; the wind blows you off course, so when you crank in some rudder to correct, boat will roll in the direction you turn the helm. When you lay a deep-V on it's side, it's NOT a deep V anymore! When waves are coming at you at some angle off the bow, rolling the boat just a few degrees AWAY from the waves with the trim tabs increases your deadrise relative to the waves and will create a big improvement in the ride!

...Also if you're stern heavy, a 4 blade prop will also give you some stern lift.

Excellent advice!!