Trim tab placement
 

What measurements should I use to install my trim tabs?
How far from the center or edge of the hull should I use?
This would also need to play with the 3 in 1 transducer for the Simrad GPS/fishfinder I plan to install

Maybe a picture?

Thanks for the help

So I downloaded the install instructions from Bennett and mocked up the backing plates as per the instructions. Is this the right place for them? In my inexperience mind are they too far out?

I took a picture of where they said to place it
Currently it's set 4 inches from the outside side part of the hull

And I don't want to drill holes in my new shiny paint that aren't supposed to be there.

What have others done?

Further out - avoid bridging the strake.

Mine were on the second step.
I uploaded a photo to my gallery showing where the 1980s Bennett's were installed. I'm to dumb to link pic to this post.

Jorge, I'm with Caper go all the way out to the edge. The further out the less movement the tabs have to make to change your boat's leveling attitude. Think about it, you want the tabs to see full, level water flow/contact across the tab's surface. If you do it like in your picture the inside 3" will have an air pocket before the water hits the tab. Plus mounting to the outside you have the empty middle step to mount transducers. Mine are out there on the far outside. Good luck!!

Oh yeah measure many times to put your mind at ease and then drill like crazy!! :)

I second what these guys are saying, With the SeaCraft stepped hull you will want to line them up with the flat of the panel. I would do outside like Don says but Ive seen them on the center panels also. Just make sure you don't do it in the middle of the step like you have now per the instructions. That is fine for 95% of the boats out there but not stepped hulls like the SeaCraft, Sailfish, ect, ect,

So then it's outside placement

Now I have another question.

I have the Master Angler model that has a built in baitwell on the rear.
How do I get my hand back there to do the install of the hydraulic line?
Is there room back there?

Maybe someone with MA can chime in with suggestions

How big is the opening in your splash-well? Mine was prewired for tabs, and I imagine I’d have to get to port side through the access there. Damn bait well is almost useless, but I replumbed and added a new pump during my semi refurb.

Vezo

No trim tab work today

I have a 78 ma and there were round access plates added to mine for access. Now my motor well has since been pulled out and wont be going back though. I plan on doing a larger access door in the middle when I ever get around to redoing mine. You could always access that area threw the bottom of the outside boxes if you built a removable bottom in them maybe? Those round access hand holes look like crap installed.

How I did it on my 18 ain’t got wet yet though

So I called Bennett today and spoke with them. Very nice and helpful.

Things I found out today. Don't span the lifting straks confirming what I heard here.
Told me it would be better to place them closer in and not all the way out. Said I would get more clean water going g over the tabs. Now it would solve getting back behind my live well.

So now I'm hesitant on what to do as I've seen them in both places on other boats.

Tomorrow is another day with plenty to do

Here is where mine were. Placement of lines keeps them out from behind well.


Attachment 20433

Installed the trim tabs at least the out side part today.
The hydraulic lines are in the spashwell.....not my preferred location but overall it cam out nice.

Thinking of putting the pump under the console, but concerned about the length of the hydraulic line and the can get kinda messy.

I mounted my pump under the front compartment in my Sceptre. Not a great spot for it out back. Ordered longer lines for it. No problems. Just have to keep them the same length, per Bennett. I also installed mine on the outer edge, per recommendations on the FB SeaCraft group. I see many people do it both ways. Mine work. Yours will work too. Nice looking rig!

I put mine attached to the inside of the transom short run for the hydraulic lines from pump to actuators

Hate to bust your bubble.... but Bennett recommends to mount as
far outboard as possible.
Not saying they will not work, but going to be like on a teeter totter
while underway..:rolleyes:

Mount them on the outside planing surface. period.

Your transducer should be mounted like this: Middle of the planing surface, away from chines or turbulence-causing hull shape, and for 3-in-1, tripleshot, totalscan, or sidescan transducers the entire emitting surface must be below the hull on the inside edge. The emitter sends out it's acoustic signal at an 87 degree angle. If it's not below the hull, it's in the air when on plane. On mine, the emitter is nearly hemispherical when seen from directly behind. I can hold sidescan imaging at 30 knots because of how the 'ducer is mounted. It does throw a lot of spray, though.

Yea, further apart the tabs are the more stable they will be...


A friend of mine had to mount his more inwards due to other stuff in the way and it wasn't too bad but its like a wheel base on a truck. The wider the more stable.

Jorge
Put Armstrong water tight inspection plates vertically on each side. You then will have access to run the hydraulic lines & install those tabs where should be on the outside plane !
I put one thru the fish box to get to the pumps & wiring.

So take them off and I have a bunch of holes in my freshly painted boat? Man I'm not ready to consider it yet! I do plan on going with a thru hull transducer in the future

But now what to do ????

Well, i can understand that but you asked for the advice and you have gotten several responses recommending the tabs to be moved. I would heed the advice. A few 1/8" holes are an easy repair, even on a new paint job.
Good Luck Jorge with your decision.

I guess Saturday I'll have something to do

Throwing the towel on this placement as well !!!

Transducers need to be as close to center on the keel as possible..
Roll and pitch will throw the angle of deflection WAY off like the one
pictured...

Just read the manuals that come with these devices, it is not rocket science
for Pete's sake..

You will have to excuse the late post ! Just got home from a Ted Nugent
concert in Daytona tonight....

No "Feel the Bern" bumper stickers there !!! :cool:

Rock On !

This is where mine ended up. Very responsive.

Bennet will swap out your actuators to an external hose style at no charge if you need them

Wang dang a-sweeeeet poontang!!

Dog eat dog is the most underrated Nugent tune.

As much as it pains me I relocated the trim tabs today. The beast will be getting to the one behind the bait well but I may have a”solution” for getting at it