trim tabs

[DonV]

Hummmm......another CSC crazy in Apollo Beach. Welcome!!!

[bridgeman]

You'll want to stay away from the nauticas tabs if you run in rough water especially following seas the boat has a tendancy to want to stuff the bow, tried them this past season and I'll be installing lenco's for this year. If your running on small lakes and say pulling skiers and tubes they would be helpful because they lift the stern and get you on plane quicker and I also noticed that planing speed was a little slower. Not good for my application.

[cobiawayne]

Frank when you say 12 inch tabs do you mean 12 by 12?

[Blue_Heron]

Frank when you say 12 inch tabs do you mean 12 by 12?

I can't speak for Fr. Frank, but I have 12" x 9" Bennetts on my 20SF. They're mounted almost flush with the chine, similar to NoBones and Fellowship's pics. They're a very good fit for this boat, and Bennett's customer service is probably among the best in the industry.

I'm also interested to hear if anyone has experience with Bennett's auto leveling control. I think the latest generation is the AC 3000. Although I don't think it's necessary for a SF20, I'm seriously considering it for my 25 Seafari.
Dave

[FELLOW-SHIP]

For those interested in the Auto Tab Control – AC 3000.

As I said I have them on my 23 CC for the last 2 years.
There are two main units is the AC 3000 the brains are called the ATC Control unit mounted in a dry location facing bow forward on a flat level location close to the center line of the boat the second part is a small indicator device called the ATC keypad you install at the helm of your boat. The ATC Control after you set it to “your optimum planning latitude” takes over the control of your tabs when you turn on the unit. Kind of like cruse control for your tabs. As the boat moves up and down or from port to starboard because of sea conditions or maybe because of weight distributed in the boat the ATC reads the planning conditions of your boat and adjusts the tabs to best adjust the tabs back to the boat planning latitude as you had already set them. That means you set them and forget them. I have mine connected to the Electronic Indicator Control EIC 5000 so I can also see where the tabs are at if I use them together or I can elect to just use the Electronic Indicator Control with out using the Auto Tab Control. They work Great and I like them a lot.

Key pad




Picture of the control unit has the arrow pointing forward.
Just above it is the EIC Control unit. Black Box



Bennett pump



Everything under the CC



Dash Board showing the AC 3000 Key pad and the EIC 5000 control



If you guys buy enough of them maybe they will take me back from lay off.

FellowShip

………………………….

Just for the Grins

Official Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

[BA17]

You also may want to consider the volvo QL's. I put them on my 23 and have been very happy with them.
BA

[wtenglish]

I am considering the Volvo tabs as well since I have heard good things on this forum. What are the pros and cons versus Bennet and Lenco?

[FELLOW-SHIP]

The Volvo tab is a wedge approach 90 degree straight down from the transom got to produce the most drag which produces less speed at the same RPM’s but it also has the smallest foot print for those wanting a bracket which covers most of the transom for additional flotation.
The Lenco system is all electrical meaning the device which causes the tabs to go up and down are in the actuators located in the water ¾ down on your transom if any water gets into the cylinder which only has rubber gaskets to keep it out of the actuator it will need to be replaced Lenco’s warranty is half as long as Bennetts warranty period and strictly enforced.
The Bennett system is hydraulic mechanical system meaning hydraulic fluid pushed through hydraulic tubing by a hydraulic pump installed in a dry place in the boat causes the tabs to operate Bennetts are known for their longevity as some have stated on this thread. Bennett is also known for their customer service and Free replacement parts if ever needed. Most boat owners will either die of old age ore sell their boats before any parts ware out. Where on the Lenco system many will have to replace the actuators way before Bennetts tabs need to be checked for ware or problems.

FellowShip

………………………….

Just for the Grins

Official Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

[thehermit]

What does everyone think about 12x12 tabs mounted here as an example?

[BigLew]

My 23 scepter has the same mounting position of the trim tabs. It should be noted that the boat also has a very low swim platform and is an I/O powered boat. The advantage of mounting the tabs in this position is that, being Bennett tabs, the actuators do not require that the swim platform be modified in any way. The result of this position is the trim tabs need to be moved a little more for each adjustment in trim (more resistance) and they're slower to respond. When I get around to putting the boat back together, I will seriously consider moving them further out on the transom and adjusting the swim platform accordingly. I hope this helps. Good luck.