Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushwacker
Bennett makes a short actuator assembly that's about 1.5" shorter than the standard actuator. The 11.75" dimension shown on short actuator measures about 13.25" on standard actuator. Their electric actuators may also be shorter, but the whole concept of electric motors below the waterline in salt water sounds like a potential nightmare, especially when my Bennett hydraulic system worked fine for 40 years with zero maintenance! |
I have faith in hydraulic but if they do fail you are without tabs. On my trip to the west end last week I lost a tab (electric) and was able to kick it down with my foot for the ugly ride home. If I would have had hydraulic I would have been dealing with a 3+' head seas without tabs... not good.
I have heard you can use 2 pairs of big vice grips to clamp around the ram of the hydraulics but I would have hated to do that in the seas I was in.
On average I have gotten about 6 years on Lenco actuators with regular use. Replacing one takes about 15 minutes so it was never a big deal and they are pretty fast. The new Bennetts are suppose to be way better sealed than the Lencos and have a lifetime warranty.... I guess we will see how it goes.