How far up do tabs go????

[Bondo]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

And, What I don't understand is,<br />You keep wanting to add Stuff that Lifts the Stern,<br />Then Complain the Bow won't come Up......... <br />Just How High do you think you need to raise the Bow ????<br />If it's Too Rough, Slow Down........

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

I see your point Thom.I didnt think there would be an easy answer to this one.I did however think that moving the piston on the tab itself would not pose a challange.The boat by the way is currently on land.My reference to being in the water was to say that I cant disconnect anything and take it for a spin to see what it does because once I am in the water ,I am in for the season.I just remember that the last boat I owned I used to raise the tabs all the way to paint the bottoms,it made it a little easier to paint.They pulled up further than my current ones.Currently when pulled up full they are level with the bottom of the boat which from what you say is correct..??Bondo,I guess my problem is one you would have to take a test ride to see exactly what I am referring to.Some of you boat in lakes and it may not get too choppy and would not have the same issue.Where I boat it gets pretty nasty sometimes and there are a lot of BIG ferries blasting around so I need to be able to slow and raise my bow without coming off plane or having my props blow out so I dont take a beating.I have plenty of stern raise once I am planed off,my idea about doel fins is that as well as they lift the stern ,when trimmed they may aid in avoiding prop blowout.I considered the fins because they are cheap and easy and require only a few holes drilled and I could do it when in the water.Charlie

 

[ThomWV]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

Oh, well, if its up on land you're in good shape and you can do whatever it takes if its warm enough.<br /><br />This is just from memory, but if the tabs have a 9" cord (distance from the transom to the outboad edge of the tab) they are supposed to be mounted 1/2" above the line of the hull (that one I'm sure about) and if they have a 12" cord they are supposed to be 5/8" or 3/4", don't remember which.<br /><br />The truth of the matter is that if they are dead even with the line of the hull in the full up position you're in fine shape. The extra half inch or so is just insurance to make sure that the installer wasn't a complete dunce. As bondo says, they are just an extension of the hull, but one that you can adjust. The full extension of the tabs is about 3" but every bit of that should be below hull level.<br /><br />At any rate if you try to move the mount up the first thing you're going to have to deal with are the existing holes. They will look like this:<br /><br />

<br />And the hole in the middle is about 3/4" to give you some perspective.<br /><br />The reason you won't be able to simply move the mounting of the piston on the tab plate is because it is as far back and as far down as it can possibly be now. Here is what the tab plate looks like where the piston mounts (discolored a little darker than the rest of the tab) so you can see why that isn't going to work:<br /><br />

<br /><br />Making more sense now?<br /><br />Thom

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

Thanks Thom!!!!I guess my tabs are different than the picture.Mine dont hane the 90 degree angle on the edge.Mine (if memory serves me) are flat on the edge or just slightly angled on the tip edge(last inch of it).And my piston is connected right about in the middle of the tab so if I were going to ,I could move it towards the edge.From what you say it sounds like they are where they should be.It still may be worth trying because I could move the piston back to where it originally was while in the water.Looks like 3 nuts and bolts.I will have to measure the size.Could they be too large?????Charlie

 

[Tabman]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

Crazy Charlie,<br /><br />Are they Bennett Tabs? If so is ther about 1" of exposed shaft visible when the Trim Tab is fully retracted? I might be able to tell you how to make the Tab retact 1" more without drilling any new holes.<br /><br />Tom McGow<br />Bennett Marine

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

Thanks Tom,I think more than 1 inch is exposed but I will measure it tomorrow and post back.Charlie

 

[Tabman]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

If it is Bennett and you have about 1" exposed shaft with tha Tabs up I will tell you how to make a "field modification" that will allow them to retract that extra inch.<br /><br />Tom <br />Bennett Marine

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

Thanks again Tom,I am pretty sure they are Bennett ,I guess it will tell me on the res. pump.Charlie

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

I checked them out Tom and they are Bennett.There is about 2 inches of the shaft left when pulled up full.I am all ears----- Charlie

 

[Tabman]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

Ok,<br /><br />First those of you watching at home please do not do this without specific advice from a trained Bennett Profesional !<br /><br />1. Bring the Trim Tabs to the full up position.<br /><br />2. Unscrew the two 1/4" machine screws holding the actuator to the tab and let the tab fall away from the actuator.<br /><br />3. Firmly grasp the cylinder body and unscrew (counter clockwise) from the part of teh actuator fastened to the transom. You will reomove the cylinder body from the top part. Ther will be some fluid left in the cylinder so you may want to have a small continer handy.<br /><br />4. Once you remove the cylinder body look at the piece still attached to the transom. You will see a cylindrical spacer facing down about two inches inside the center of that piece. Firmly grab the spacer and snap it out of teh part still attched to the boat. Discard the spacer you snapped out and screw the cylinder body back in place. Twist firmly back into place.<br /><br />5. Reconnect the Tab to The actuator with the 1/4" machine screws.<br /><br />Repeat for the other side. Once that side is done run teh Tabs up and down 3-4 times to purge anir air from the system. Bring the Tabs to te full up postion and check the reservoir to see if you need to add any fluid (ATF).<br /><br />This will result in the Trim tabs retracting about 1" more.<br /><br />Let me know if you have any questions.<br /><br />Tom <br />Bennett Marine

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

Thanks Tom,I will give it a whirl the next warm day!!!!! One of my tab cylinders may have a small leak,I noticed a wet area on the tab this morning.Anything I should look for while doing this procedure to correct a slight leak?????Charlie

 

[ThomWV]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

Tom,<br /><br />Slick.<br /><br />It didn't go unnoticed. I'm sure I'm not the only one who found this interesting.<br />

<br /><br />Thom

 

[Tabman]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

Charlie,<br /><br />Replacing the piston O-ring will solve the leak and since you are taking the actuator apart it is the perfect time to replace it. Send your address to Tmcgow@bennetttrimtabs.com and I will toss some in the mail along with instructions how to replace, no charge.<br /><br />Thom,<br /><br />I still get a kick out of what we can do with our actuators! They are indeed slick!<br /><br />Tom

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

Thanks again Tom,I will forward my address.Wish me luck,I usually screw something up along the way.Charlie

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

I just printed the instructions that you posted.You seem to have explained it well enough so that I think I can do it.Will the o ring you sent me be easily replacable since i have it apart anyway???Thanks again tom and all the guys.I hope I solve this one.Charlie

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

Tabman...just curious if this mod will still work if you have Trimdicators?

 

[Tabman II]

Re: How far up do tabs go????

Boatin Bob,<br /><br />No, you can't really go at as easily as we did with crazy charlie, since the Upper Hinge Sensor Coils that "see" the movement of the trim tabs are built right into the Upper Hinge Spacer. A client would have to replace the standard Upper Hinge Sensor Coils with our Reduced Height Upper Hinge Sensor Coils to allow the trim tabs to retract further. Please tell me more about your trouble, so we can see what needs to be done to your system to get it back on the water soon as possible!<br /><br />I look forward to your reply.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />MJ Thomas<br />Bennett Marine, Inc.<br />Client Services<br />trimtabs@earthlink.net<br />www.bennettritmabs.com