Trim Tab Installation

[Capt. T]

Whats the right way to install trim tabs: wood screws, sheetmetal screws (per mfg) or drill through and use machine bolts (e.g. 1/4") with a plate on the backside to spread out the load?<br /><br />All hardware will be SS. It seems to me that screws will pull out in time due to vibration & loading but then again, my wife accuses me of overbuilding everything I touch.<br /><br />BTW, anyone know the thickness of the transom on a '90 Rinker 186 Captiva? (tried Rinker, no reply)<br /><br />Thanks in advance

 

[DJ]

Re: Trim Tab Installation

Bucky Boat,<br /><br />If you can gain access to the backside of the transom, go for the throughbolt. You won't need very big bolts if you do that.<br /><br />Otherwise, SS sheet metal screws will work fine.<br /><br />I prefer 3M 5200 sealant.

 

[Tabman II]

Re: Trim Tab Installation

Bucky Boat,<br /><br />I am Thomas and I work for Bennett Marine in the Client Service Department.<br /><br />We supply #10 x 1-1/4" Sheet Metal screws for most of our systems, which work very well in fiberglass installations. Of course, you also will use a marine epoxy &/or adhesive to secure the screws in place, which performs as a locktite & waterproof sealant. Through bolting in most cases is a bit of overkill when dealing with fiberglass construction, since the sheet metal screws work very well and normally will bite into some type of core material (wood or high density foam). Also, please let us know the brand and the size of trim tabs you chose to install on your Rinker?<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.bennetttrimtabs.com

 

[Capt. T]

Re: Trim Tab Installation

djohns 19 - thanks for the input.<br /><br />Tabman II<br /><br />I'm going with 12x9 Smart Tabs. From what I've read in the forums they should do the job for my usage which is a pretty heavy 18' deep V used 99% of the time on inland lakes / rivers, looking mostly to reduce time-to-plane.<br /><br />I like the '100% hands-off' operating mode because I have two small children and my wife is not real comfortable driving so I don't want to add complexity.<br /><br />Also price difference is an issue. Approximately $1100 for Bennett tabs vs. $200 for Smart Tabs (plus installation time). I'm sure the Bennett's, being adjustable, are more capable but I think the Smart Tabs will give me 90~95% of what I'm looking for 1/5 the $.<br /><br />I will buy through IBoats if possible.

 

[Tabman II]

Re: Trim Tab Installation

Bucky Boat,<br /><br />Our suggested retail price for a set of 12 x 9 Trim Tabs is $572. A few moments searching on the Internet, catalog &/or your favorite local marine dealer will yield prices SUBSTANTUATLLY lower than that. So, I am a little unsure where the $1100 quote came from. Go ahead and give the search a try and I think you will be pleasantly surprised!<br /><br />If you have anymore questions, please feel free to contact me.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />MJ Thomas<br />Bennett Marine, Inc.<br />Client Services<br />trimtabs@earthlink.net<br />www.bennetttrimtabs.com

 

[catfish1]

Re: Trim Tab Installation

bucky boat, i think you made a good choice! i got a set of smart tabs and it did wonders for my boat. they are well worth the money!

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trim Tab Installation

Bucky Boat;<br /><br />The Smart Tabs Kit includes everything you need to install Smart Tabs including the sealant material. The screws to attach the hinge to the boat are 1/4" X 3/4" stainless sheet metal screws. They are more than sufficient to hold the tabs in place. Keep in mind that the amount of stress on the mounting hardware is related directly to the actuator load, and not to the increasing water pressure as the boat goes faster. For example, if you use electric or electric over hydraulic trim tabs, the tabs can be held down at any speed. The forces of the water against the tab plates can be significant in this position. Smart Tabs can not be held down and are pushed up to the horizontal possition by the water. This occurs arround the same time that the boat goes on plane. In your case this will be about 15 to 18 MPH.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Trim Tab Installation

IS this the same tabman from the Hulltruth forum?

 

[catfish1]

Re: Trim Tab Installation

hey nautijohn, long time no see!

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trim Tab Installation

Catfish;<br /><br />Good to hear from you, I have been at a Marine Trade Show in Europe for the past week. Hope all is well, and have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[Tabman]

Re: Trim Tab Installation

Sloopy,<br /><br />Actually it is Tabman II that hangs out here and posts information. Tabman II is M.J. Thomas from our Client Services team. He is a great guy! I hang out at the Hull Truth, but drop by iboats from time to time to see whats going on. M.J. looks after several forums for us and we compare notes on a daily basis. We try to make sure and post our name and who we work for in each post so you can tell who we are. <br /><br />Tom McGow<br />Director of Client Services<br />Bennett Marine

 

[JasonB]

Re: Trim Tab Installation

Bucky, I have the SmartTabs on my 19' bowrider and they are great.<br /><br />No offense to The great folks at Bennett, I just couldn't justify the cost of the system I would have assembled with the auto controls. If I had a larger boat, or the budget, the story may have been different.<br /><br />I had some qualms about the screws used with the SmartTabs until I played with the system, but they are more than enough. I only found one place in the install instructions where I wanted to deviate. The SmartTabs include a sealant strip to screw through, but for my own piece of mind, I also filled each screw hole in the hull with 5200 Sealant. Nothing goes on into the transom of my boats without 5200. Personal choice there, probably technically unnecessary.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Trim Tab Installation

Thats good to know! But I thought tabman 2 on the hulltruth was an emergency name because you forgot your password?