23' CC trim tab selection
 

Hello, I would greatly appreciate any information regarding trim tab selection for my 23' CC with twin 150 HPDI's on 6" setback manual jackplates. I am currently running 12x12 Bennetts mounted fully outboard which I upgraded from the 12x9's that came on the boat. I feel like more tab would definitely help due to the stern weight and extra equipment I have on board (AGM batteries, fresh water tank, radar, two anchors, etc etc) I was looking at the Lenco heavy duty 12x16, or the Lenco high performance 12x18. The 12x18 is similar to a "K plane" and has a pointed end. I have spoken with Lenco and they told me there would be little difference in performance between these two tab sizes due to the taper of the 12x18. I like Bennett trim tabs, but I don't think they have anything like these without going to two actuators per plane. I also like the speed of the Lencos and the built in indicators/no hydraulics/pump. If at all possible it would be great to speak with someone with a similar boat/setup/experience. Thanks so much. Skyler

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

If I were you I would consider purchasing the Bennett drop fin kit for your current 12 x 12 tabs. that should help things out a bit.

Good luck.

Peter

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

I don't know if this will help,but i installed the 12x12 drop fin tabs on my 23 Tsunami.
They have a 3" drop on each side,and according to the nice folks at Bennett will give considerably more lift than regular or sport tabs.
In my initial talk with them,i seem to remember them telling me,that they would actually like to see 12x24 tabs on this boat,but said they wouldn't work properly,because of the steps in the hull.
My boat is an I/O (350 Mercruiser)and am just finishing it up.I'm hoping to get the outdrive on, and engine running this weekend so i can test it out before i winterize it.

It's not a CC like yours,but I'll let you know how the tabs work,if i do get to splash it.

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

Thank you for the quick responses. I forgot to mention that the 12x12's that are on the boat now show some slight bending, so another reason I was considering a different tab is I believe they need to be a little stronger. I run this boat fast and hard because I can comfortably. Both the Lencos I mentioned earlier are heavy gauge with a full backing plate and welded channels for extra strength. I have seen the angle down Bennett tabs and I think they would probably bend worse than the ones that I have now. The boat has a top speed of 53-55 mph depending on load and I regularly cruise at 40-45 mph seas permitting. Thanks again, any additional info would be great. Skyler

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

Contact "Tabman" through THT. They honestly have the best customer service of ANY company I've dealt with.

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

This is the setup we've had on the boat for about 30 years. I assume gramp didn't like the non sensitivity of the original setup and had steel plates welded up with the step. I dont know dimentions so i've attached a pic. The lower forward edge was heated and rounded upward to ensure water always hits the bottom of the tab. These tabs are very sensitive. I barely have to touch the button to correct any listing. Hope it helps.

don't mind the "before" pic
[image]http://i446.photobucket.com/albums/q...Picture188.jpg[/image]

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

Thanks again. I have talked to Tabman in person through my business (marine repair) in the past, and his customer service is impeccable. I just didn't feel right asking him about another companies products, and didn't think he would have experience with their products (that differ in size from Bennett products). I have a slightly different boat in that it is small (23') with 1000 lbs of outboards on the back and a variable deadrise hull (thank god). There are not a lot of boats in this size range with twins. I wouldn't have it any other way, but it leaves me doing my own R and D. Any other pertinent input would be appreciated. I would really love to talk to someone with the same setup as me and trade notes on tabs, props, and weight distribution. Thanks, Skyler.

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

Hi Ripndip;

Read your post today regarding sizing your tabs. You need to stay with the Span (side to side) of 12” due to your longitudinal steps on the 23”. As stated above the Drop Fin Kit would help you in lifting the stern of the boat and they are cheep. If you want to go with larger size tabs Bennett makes a ST16 which is 12x16 thicker SS and 2 Actuators on each side that could also be good for you since you are running the boat at higher speeds. All you would have to do in buy the Tabs and two more actuators with a T connection for each tab. If you call ask for Thomas maybe he could set you up with some return scratch tabs that they couldn’t sell for new. Tell him Mack told you to call.
Bennett 954-427-1400


FellowShip

Just for the Grins ;)

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

Mack,

Quick question. The guy who owned my boat before me installed the 12 x 16 sportsman tabs (with dual actuators.) I called Bennett and was told that I have the wrong tabs (these tabs are made for boats which are constantly doing 60+ miles per hour), and that the best things for me to do would be to rip those tabs off and put on new ones.

Yikes!!!

Any thoughts? Am I correct in assuming that the drop fins won't fit on these tabs?

Peter

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

Thanks Mack for the input. Peter B, I would never take off a large tab to put on a smaller tab. Every boat I've owned has had oversize tabs with nothing but positive results. That's what got me thinking about upsizing the ones on my 23. Mack, I wanted to avoid the extra hydraulics involved, also two actuators takes twice as long unless you install two pumps. I thought it would be a plus to get away from hydraulics all together. Bennett makes a great product, but I think the simplicity of the Lencos would help in my application. Thanks, Skyler

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

Hi Peter B

The ST16 are a very good tab for boats that go faster UP TO 60 MPH. Bennett is really not in the market to build tabs for speed boats 70-100+ MPH. The K-Plane from mercury racing is the tab for that. The ST16 provides more lift because of the 16” back into the water column. Bennett does make custom tab for OEM’s – original equipment manufacturers – meaning boat builders only after prints have been made and engineering departments from the builder and Bennett OK the plans.
If the drop fins don’t work good enough on the 12x12 for you than a longer chord would the best way to go. As for them being to much tab for your boat they would work just fine but as stated 4 actuators take twice as long to go up or down from 7-9 seconds to approx 15 seconds. The only issue that we as Seacraft owners have to deal with is the 12” span because of our longitudinal step hull design.

http://www.classicseacraft.com/fello...edium/0052.jpg


FellowShip

Just for the Grins

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

Sorry to chime in late on this topic. I have the K-Planes (model 280S) on my 23. I agree with almost everything said so far, and especially FellowShip's comment on the length (vs. width) of the tab. The K-Planes I have are almost exactly the width of the outer "step", but are approx. 18" long. I am no naval architect, but feel the added length improves the ride qualities more because it requires little tab deflection to get the desired results (hence less drag?) and also, I believe, provides more of a "rocker" effect, almost like adding length to the running surface of the hull. I am not too familiar with the dimensions available from Bennett, and would love to hear Tabman's opinion on this. At the other end of the spectrum, I wonder if anyone has any experience with the Volvo "blade"-type system on a 23"?
Good luck

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

The apparant problem with the Bennett 12 x 16 trim tabs (or so the Bennett rep said to me) is while they are 12" across at the transom, at the back of the tab they taper down to 10" across.

He claimed that I would get better lift from the 12 x 12 tabs.

Don't know if he is right or not.

Peter

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

You may want to give these a look. All of the people that I know of who have used them think they are great tabs. I would definately check em out.

http://vppneuapps.volvo.com/ww/QL/ql.asp


FD

Re: 23' CC trim tab selection
 

Hello,
After careful consideration and lots of research on several forums, I pulled the trigger on 12x16 Heavy Duty Lencos and installed them this weekend in place of the 12x12 Bennetts. These new tabs have a backing plate that goes up the transom and an adjustable feature where the actuator meets the plane (you can choose different mounting holes depending on the angle of the transom). I also went with the indicator switch from Lenco. I seatrialed the boat in 4-6' seas on Sunday with a full in-floor baitwell, full fuel, oil, and fresh water and THESE are the tabs for my boat. I went conservative on the initial adjustment leaving the trailing edge about 2 1/2" up from the straight edge from the bottom. At 3000 rpm/approx 28-30 mph the tab wasn't even touching the water, so I will adjust them down (just pull the bolt and go to the next hole) to the next notch giving me more usable range. The positives of these tabs versus the 12x12's are I can stay on plane at slower speeds, and the props don't blow out in heavy seas (going slow) coming off the back of one large wave and going up the face of the next.
Bennett makes a quality product, and I don't know of any company in any industry with their level of customer service. My only Bennett option was a 12x16 tab with dual cylinders= more plumbing, more stuff, slower tabs. Also, my Bennett 12x12's were barely 12x12 when measured and had some slight bending as I don't think they were strong enough for this application. The 12x16 Lencos I chose are closer to 17" on the one edge, and are thicker gauge with beefed up channels and a backing plate. They are comparable in price to the 12x16 Bennetts, but have a single actuator. After all my research, and based on how much I use the boat, I think it is inevitable I will end up replacing one or both of these (Lenco) actuators within the next 2-3 years. To me it was worth it for the speed at which they actuate, the bigger size, the appearance (electro-polished stainless with zincs; flush, sealed water proof switch with LEDs) and the no-mess/less stuff in my console.
I have over-tabbed the last three boats I have owned- a 20' Seacraft- 12x12 Bennett, a 28' Bertram 12x42 Bennett, and now this boat with nothing but positive results. That 20' Seacraft would go through anything at 16-17mph with those tabs burning no fuel and not touching the throttles- just stay behind the izonglass! I will try to post pictures soon if I can find the time.

Skyler