Tabman in Miami
 

I had the pleasure of finally meeting Tom McGow aka Tabman of Bennett Marine at the Miami show. Tom has been extremely helpful working out a problem with my Carver's system that was pretty technical and time consuming for him. He also spec'd out the new M-120 series for my SC23 CC.

In person, Tom is a terrific guy, very personable and remembered me, my application(s) and CSC! I would like to nominate him for OEM rep of the year. THANKS Tom for your help and dedication to the industry.

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

Otto

What size tabs did he specify for you? What type/ size engine configuration do you have?
Dink

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

I have a 23CC w/ Yamaha 200 2s. Tom recommended the new M-120 sport tabs. I'l be installing them as soon as the temp reached 50.

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

Otto,

It was a pleasure meeting you. I had the good fortune to speak with a few Sea Craft owners at the show and I mentioned Classic Sea Craft to all of them. Thanks for the kind words! I really enjoy the Miami Show, it is by far my favorite.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

Hi OTTO,
I went with the m120s based on Tom's recommendation and they seemed fine. I know they worked cuz I had to trim them up for speed! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] He also shortened mine to fit under the bracket.
Bill

One is good and two are better [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

I thought the recommended tabs for the 23' were the 12X12 tabs. Are the M120's a better option?

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

The 120’s are 10”(span or width) x 12” vs 12”(span)x12” on the standard tab. Just gives you some leeway in mounting ….. the 120’s have wings or fins that help channel the water out the back of the tab to generate the lift …making the 10” span efficient . I would think there would be some water release or “slip” from the sides of a standard flat tab hence a larger tab is needed.

I know I spoke with Tabman a long time ago and mentioned either tab would work but the 120 would give some more flexibility in mounting given the shape of the varying angles of deadrise in these boats ….

Tom (Tabman)
Have you ever been able to compare the 120’s to say the 12x12 tab …. Curious as to how the 120’s compare to a standard 12x12 tab … more , less or equal to... as far as in efficiency ….I wish I could find that picture of my hull we used to illustrate all this !!!!

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

Scott is right on target. I could not have put it better! The M120 is about equal to the Standard 12 x 12 Tab. The 12 x 12 has long been "the weapon of choice" when fitting Tabs on a Sea Craft since it fits well on the outer step. The fins on the 10" x 12" M120 do indeed capture water pressure that is normally lost out the sides of the Tabs and channels it aft and increases lift. So the 120 has about the same lift as the 12 x 12. And as Scott pointed out it gives a bit more latitude in mounting. Also since we use a shorter actuator in the M120 if you have a swim platform back there they will likely fit under it.

The M120s have been optimized for owner installation and comes standard with a Waterproof Rocker Switch, so it is usually a better value for the DIY installer.

I hope this helps,

Tom
Bennett Marine

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

Tom recommended the M120's to me too.
Here is an example of their versility. My boat will have twin outboards on a bracket. If I measure 8in over from the center line of the motor, and from that point to the chine I have 15in. Now the M120's are 10in wide. I can place the tab 9in from motor center and have 4in of setback from the chine.
This falls right into the Bennett spec's listed on the website for setbacks. With a 12in wide tab, it would have ben pushing the limits.

I 2nd the nomanation for Tom for Marine OEM Rep of the year!

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

Do you have the 12X12 Trim tabs on your boat and if so, how
do you like them. I am between either the Bennett M120's
or the regular 12X12 Bennetts. My main purpose for installing them is to improve the ride into a head sea. Thanks.

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

jfm,

As Tabman will clarify, there is a difference in design between the 2 different tabs. You should get advice from him as to what might be best. He's fun to talk to cause he knows so darn much...

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

Hey Tabman - was that you on ShipShapeTV?

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

John R,

Yup, that was me on Shipshape along with my Marketing Manager, Fair Hyams (we call him Adman). I haven’t seen it yet!

Otto,

Thanks for the kind words!

JFM,

Where are you on the Cape? I went to school in Marion, and have a good friend who lives in Falmouth. I get up there from time to time and really miss being on the water up there!

The 10” x 12” M120 is a great Tab and in use it provides the same amount of lift as the 12” x 12” standard Tab. As mentioned above since the M120 uses less real-estate on the Transom it gives a little more latitude in mounting, although the stepped hull configuration of the SeaCraft really doesn’t need to save much space since the 12” x 12” and the M120 both fit nicely on the outer step. But since the M120 needs less vertical space on the transom if there is a swim platform then it will likely be an easier fit. The M120 comes standard with a Rocker Switch control, which is often an option with the 12 x 12s (depends on the dealer) so it is often a better deal. Plus we simplified the connections on the M120 making it install a bit faster.

Both the M120 and the 12 x 12 Tabs will do a great job letting you hold the boat’s bow down into a chop, smoothing out the ride. Like I mentioned I grew up on the water up there and I know the short steep chop that you can get up there and Tabs will let your SeaCraft run on its lines at lower throttle settings.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

I told you he knows stuff...

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

Tom,
Does that mean you're a Tabor boy? [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] Marion is a beautiful town. Are you from that area originally?

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

Tabman,
I live in the Mid-Cape area. Fish mostly Cape Cod Bay
but also Nantucket Sound and the Vineyard. I thank you for
all the info on trim tabs. I have decided to go with the
standard 12X12 tabs. Once again, thanks.
JFM

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

Scott,

Yup, A am a Tabor Boy, class of '76! I grew up in CT, went to school at Tabor and spent most of my teens and twentys sailboat racing all over New England. Family had a marine parts store in Branford CT in the late '70s early '80s. Brother still lives in CT. I get up almost every summer.

jfm,

12 x 12s will be great! Let me know if I may ever be of any help.

Tom
Bennett Marine

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

Tabman - was a good show and it's now great to be able to place the face with your name online...

Now if we only knew whoze 23 was behind Big Jon on his Trailer Maintenance episode last week...

BTW - for my fellow massholes, OTW is coming out with a TV show soon for the northeast. I believe the cat is officially out of the bag and can be mentioned...

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

Yep, Tom is a top notch guy. I've spoken to him over the phone once or twice and a few times via email. I have 12 x 12 tabs on my 20 Grady and noticed all the water being lost out the sides. I asked him about fabricating some fins to channel the water back to maximize efficency. Low and behold, he was way ahead of me and turned me on to the "drop fins" that Bennett already offered that can be added to the 12 x 12 tabs. I haven't gotten them on yet, but am sure they will work great.

He's also helped me w/ some "warranty" issues. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Thanks again for your great service Tom.

Re: Tabman in Miami
 

I have the 12x12 tabs with the drop down fins on my boat and they are awesome! I can trim the engine all the way down along with burying the tabs all the way and it will spray the windshield with water. I can also run one tab all of the way down and have water come up over the rear cleat. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Needless to say that it is plenty of enough tab for the boat.