Dual Trim Tabs

[MTBoat]

I have a Bayliiner 2452 with 5.0 and alpha one get 2. As you may know these when loaded are not as easy to get on step and keep on plane in rough waters at slower speeds. It has trim tabs now, but, I wondered if anyone has ever put SMART TABS fur inside on the transom and get dual support for lift to get on plane and stay on plane? Seem that there is enough room to do that, and without ramping up to a bigger motor, which isn't an option now...any feedback appreciated.

 

[JoLin]

It might work, but I am personally leery of home-grown engineering where hydrodynamics is concerned. I guess the plus side of adding a pair of ST's or Bennett self leveling tabs would be the ease of removing them if it doesn't work.

IMO you'd be better off swapping your current tab planes for a pair with a wider span. I've owned 3 boats with factory installed trim tabs, and none of them were wide enough. I've been struggling with the same condition you have, but it won't be an easy job to fix- I'd have to drill new openings for the hydraulic lines to pass through the transom, and move the center point of the actuators.

Another possibility is replacing your tab planes with a pair that have the same span but a deeper chord. I've considered that, too, but don't know if going from a 12" span by 8" chord, to a 12" span by 11" chord (longest I can get for my InstaTrims), will be effective.

Hang around- maybe Tabman will chime in. He's a Bennett rep and knows everything about this stuff.

My .02

 

[Scott Danforth]

Go with a bigger (longer) plate on your trim tab

And yes.... Your motor isn't big enough for your boat

 

[Tabman]

I am pretty sure those boats came with 12'x9" Bennett Trim Tabs from the factory. You can change the Trim Planes to 12x12 without moving the actuator or hinge plates. It is very easy. Over at the Bayliner Owners Club forum I have also seen people change them to 12x12 with 3" drop fins on the sides. The drop fins capture water pressure lost out the sides and channels it aft to make more lift. The drop fins can be in the way of fork lifts and trailer bunks though.

This would be a lot easier and effective.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

 

[MTBoat]

Thank you all for your ideas, and I think the increase in tab options sounds easy as step one. I thought you might also be interested in what the Smart Tab people said about simply adding a set of theirs as well, and there is room to do it just inside of the current ones...here's their reply Thank you for your interest in our tabs. The smart tabs SX will be a great solution for what you're trying to accomplish. The tabs you would need are the SX 105 12 - 90. You could buy the pr 500 kit which the plate retractor kit to lift them up flush. Although you might find a better solution to have the tabs engage at all times to help with the performance