ATTN TABMAN... tab size

[smokeonthewater]

Soooo My twin merc 260 I/O 28' cruiser has TINY Bennett tabs on it and is quite stern heavy... The tabs measure 12x8... Looking on the Bennett website it tells me that I need at least 24x12 tabs and I'm inclined to agree BUT I don't think they will fit.

iI is 28" to the center of my outdrive from the inside of the chine or I guess I should say the inside edge of the strake at the chine? It's the point where the tab stops in the illustration on your website and the point where my existing tab stops.... How critical is the 8" spacing? Could it be crowded some? could the tabs be cut down slightly?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Also any sort of exchange program on tabs?

Thanks in advance,

 

[redneck joe]

got a pic of the stern? When I got mine that's what he did for me - location size, etc all drawn out nice and pretty. My location was kinda tight and yes yours are small.

 

[Tabman]

Smokeonthewater,

My friend Redneckjoe beat me to the punch! Do you have a picture of the transom you can post, or send to me? Tabmanhelp@gmail.com And yes the Tabs you have now are too small!

 

[Tabman]

I forgot to add, you really don't want to get closer than the 8" you may disturb the water flow to the props. We do make a 20" x 12" Tab that a dealer could order for you and to get the max lift you could get it with 3" drop fins on the sides . The drop fins capture water pressure that normally escapes out the sides and channels it aft to increase the lift the Tab generates. You will have to move the actuator so it is in the middle of the Tab.

We don't have a trade in program

 

[alldodge]

What about adding a longer plate to the existing one?

Weld some additional plate to the end to make it longer, may need to also add a rib but should not cost much

 

[Tabman]

Longer chord (fore to aft measurement) Trim Tabs are not as effective as longer span (side to side) ones since more water pressure is lost out the sides than is "used". Also the increased leverage can damage the actuator (ram). He could increase the chord to 12" and use the 3" drop fins I mentioned above, but we would strongly recommend against a longer chord. Increasing the span to 20" and chord to 12" with the drop fins would be much better.

If the boat is used in salt water welding the stainless Trim Tabs is not a good idea unless the entire piece is passivated. Welding alters the stainless steel and will invite corrosion. This is why the majority of our Trim Tabs have no welds, and those that do are passivated.

 

[alldodge]

Longer chord (fore to aft measurement) Trim Tabs are not as effective as longer span (side to side) ones since more water pressure is lost out the sides than is "used". Also the increased leverage can damage the actuator (ram). He could increase the chord to 12" and use the 3" drop fins I mentioned above, but we would strongly recommend against a longer chord. Increasing the span to 20" and chord to 12" with the drop fins would be much better.

If the boat is used in salt water welding the stainless Trim Tabs is not a good idea unless the entire piece is passivated. Welding alters the stainless steel and will invite corrosion. This is why the majority of our Trim Tabs have no welds, and those that do are passivated.

Just a thought, the 20x12 tabs might be a bit to much. Smoke, I read your May 2011 post when you were looking at buying the boat (thread below). According to the thread, the boat weights in a 7800 dry, and has a beam of 9.5 feet. My Formula is 28.5 long, 9/5 beam and 10000 dry, and has 16x11.5 tabs (might be actually 12 by Bennett). My tabs work great without issue and only time I wish I had either more HP or more tab is when I'm getting close to the real heavy area. Maybe add an inch to each side, how much more load would be added?

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...s/487474-89-wellcraft-monte-carlo-performance

 

[smokeonthewater]

Thx Tabman.... Ordering new isn't really ever in the budget for me but, I'll keep an eye out for some 20x12's pref with the drop fins on ebay.....Let me know if you happen to get any scratch n dent or returns in. I have a BFH and not afraid to use it

All D... my boat is definitely quite a bit heavier than that (that number might be for the single eng version) and wider too... Can't remember exact number... It is also a lot more stern heavy than yours as it's a twin engine boat with 4 batts and a genset in the back too...

Personally I don't think 20x12's will be big enough either but they just HAVE to be better than the tiny things I have now.

I don't have the equipment to weld stainless and besides the hinge needs to be longer to match the tab plus the ram has to be moved no matter what.

I looked for a transom pic but didn't have one.... I could take one to post but it sounds like I just need the 20x12 planes.

 

[Tabman]

Will check the scratch and scuff returns when the factory opens this morning.

 

[Tabman]

Sorry, none that size (or close) in the scratch and scuff inventory.