Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

Just went fishing in 20-25 kt breeze. Snotty, 2'-3', short chop. If I did not have trim tabs, the ride would not be nearly as great. My boat, a 23' Tsunami, likes to lean into the wind and that screws up the symmetry of how the boat cuts through waves. Without tabs I would get that unexpected chine slam much more than I do.

With the tabs, I have Bennett 12x12's, you can lift the lower side up and present a nice, symmetrical hull into the oncoming waves.

No doubt the SC is a great ride, but the trim tabs make it a GREAT ride !

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

I totally agree, I don’t care what type of boat you got if you are going to be in the ocean you NEED trim tabs.

FellowShip

_______________________________________________

My motto: Just for the Grins :D

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

Same boat same feeling Benetts Rule.

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

trim tabs even make a markable differance on a small boat. i reguarly fish a 18' mckee with a good friend farther out than a sane person should. as you can tell we obviously arent same or i wouldn't be on a 18' boat 50-60 miles out. but the tabs on the boat are bennet and after rideing with and without tabs the diferance is unbelievable. i was going to use lenco but after dealing with bennet on two boats im going with bennet. their support of their product is great.

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

This has me convinced - was leaning toward them, but uncertain till now.

Recently; one the most knowledgeable men in the group "spareparts" mentioned locating the tabs can be critical, and if done improperly can seriously slow the boat. Think he was suggesting they NOT be right on the waterline.
What's your take and position (literally and figuratively!-)?
HBH

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

Either Lenco or Bennett, right where the arrows point:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/hatidua/tab.jpg

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

i went with what the instructions said on my bennett. it said 1/4 inch above the bottom of the hull... is that the wrong place ??????

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

When they are retracted the trailing edge of the tab is higher than the bottom of the boat and as said the leading edge is 1/4in higher than the bottom of the boat.

http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/m80install/fig2lrg.jpg

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

i followed those directions exactly! so i should be ok

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

Are you indicating an angle to match the strake?

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

Right Here,
http://www.frenzie.com/100_0078.JPG
Don't go without them!
Scream'n Reels'
Tug :cool:

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

what? im just worried about them being too low on the transom..

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

1/4 inch up should be enough, all you are trying to do is break the water coming off the transom (like the floats on seaplanes have those steps in them to allow the float to break from the water) they used to recommend that the tabs be mounted flush, good to see they recommend 1/4 inch up

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

I love my Bennett Tabs, they make a great hull greater!

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

Do any of you use and/or recommend Trim Position Indicators?
Based on the excellent input here, Bennett seems the way to go, the 120's?, we have a 1975 20SF w/ I-6 165 HP I/O, and - possibly overbuilt - T-top (so it might be top heavy). Will post photos today.
Thinking if we go the Bennett Trim might include the TPI.
Do any of you keep a ship's log?

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

I use the TPI regularly on my Hatteras but that is a 20 ton vessel and the effect of the tabs on hull performance is slower. On my 20 Seacraft the response of the Bennett 120's is instantaneous and I would not think you would need TPI on a 20 . With three or more on board or if the seas kick up the Bennett are great and easy to install.

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

A) you'll see the effects of trim tabs in person if you are present when they are in use. No need for a gauge to my way of thinking.....unless you like the look of a lot of gauges and dials on your dashboard.

B) I've owned boats with both Bennett and Lenco tabs and have not had any problems with either one.

C) Yes, I keep a ship's log: in the form of a credit card statement that details the visits I occasionally make to the marina fuel dock! :D

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

I was given the trim tab indicator by the Bennett Co. when I did the Advertising pictures and TV spot for Ship Shape program. Put them into the boat approx 1 year ago they work great and I now rely on looking at the indicator as much as the angel of the boat. One of the things I like about them is that you might want to lesson the amount of the tab on the opposite side than adding angle on the side that might need a little more angle. With the indicator you know exactly where you are at.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...wnerBanner.jpg

FellowShip

_______________________________________________

My motto: Just for the Grins :D :D :D

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

THAT seems a really good point.

On trim tabs, initial research revealed a bit of weirdness of trim tabs combined with trolling motors.
My thought was excess drag and dirty wake, do these things have any merit or are they, as I decided, over complicated gimmickry?
Not to knock the ingenuity though, and who knows, they might solve a problem for someone.

HBH

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

I've noted no such weirdness with my troll n tabs.

Regarding indicators - it is normal trim tab procedure to effect negative trim first to correct list. If there is no effect, engage positive trim on the other side. It seems that the benefit of indicator is to decrease the negligible amount of time it takes to determine that the negative trim adjustment did not work.

Once you get used to using tabs on a small boat, using indicators is sort of like needing a guage to tell you if your motor is straight or turning. On a bigger boat there are many other things that can affect trim, so knowing where your tabs are positioned seems like a good idea.

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

Meant no offense, but it does seem to me to have the potential to spoil the flow.

So you have them! How long? What do you think of them and have you run with other trim units to compare.

We have not added the trim tabs to Pete's SeaCraft yet and if your report is very favourable must reconsider.
HBH

Re: Trim Tabs - a MUST ( my .02 )
 

I've had them for 3-4 years now and like the trollers for positioning the boat while fishing, especially fly fishing. The tabs are 12x12 and very responsive. The prior tabs were Bennet M120s that worked great too, but Bennet does not make a tab mounted trolling motor setup. I passed them along to another CSC member after I installed the TNTs.

I'll PM my phone # to you so we can discuss it if you wish.