Trim Tabs

Corrosion, Paint, Through Hulls, etc.
louism58
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Trim Tabs

Post by louism58 »

Took my first long ride in the new boat. At slow speeds say trolling I can drive from lower station but once I get some speed on the bow is so far up it is hard to see.

Trim Tabs brought it down a little but not enough. Will be pulling the boat out for the winter this week so no hurry to address but my first step is gong to be checking the trim tabs to make sure they were actually going down.

IF they were in fact working correctly I am thinking maybe the tabs are not either long or wide enough. Will measure once out of the water.

I think part of the issue is the last owner added a gen set in the back of the boat and that extra 500 lbs is making a big difference.

If I remember correctly on my old 37' the trim tabs were not as wide as they could be and were 12" deep.

I was thinking I could either add an aluminum plate to make the tabs wider across the back of the boat or keep the same width but add a plate to make them deeper. Say extend out to 16"

Either change should add some lift I would think and bring the front down.

This is a 32' Express with twin 318 and a flying bridge.

Your thoughts ????????
Fastjeff
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Re: Trim Tabs

Post by Fastjeff »

Very possible your boat is stern heavy. I had a good sized dink boat hanging off the stern of mine and could not get enough down trim. Solved that problem by adding a shim to the tab to push it down further. Used a block of 1 inch aluminum with longer bolts.

Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
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bcassedy
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Re: Trim Tabs

Post by bcassedy »

Jeff,

With your reputation as 'thrify' were those aluminum shims made outta compressed brewsky cans? :lol: :lol:

Bill
Bill & Sharon Cassedy
"Sunset Seeker"
'88 32' Sedan Bridge to be sold (updtd 1-1-22)
"Sunset Seeker Too" (SS2)
'88 41' Marquis hardtop. (as of 1/1/22)
Located in Aurora, In.
Always fresh water.
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Tuggle
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Re: Trim Tabs

Post by Tuggle »

Make sure they're working properly, your getting full RELIABLE travel. One day mine would would work fine the next only one would work, the next day they'd stick one up one down. With the exception of the tabs themselves I gutted out the entire system and replaced with new, good money spent.
"Deplorable", 1975 32' Express, Twin 318's, Raw Water Cooled, Lake Lanier, Ga.
louism58
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Re: Trim Tabs

Post by louism58 »

I am debating replacing the in boat system as well I have found one of issues over time is they leak hydro fluid and stop working. This may be the issue I am having not sure yet.

Has anyone tried the electric versions Bennett has a version but my 32' may be to big for them

https://bennetttrimtabs.com/product/bol ... b-systems/
Fastjeff
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Re: Trim Tabs

Post by Fastjeff »

Yes, and I don't recommend them! The Lenco cylinders rely on a tiny, single ball bearing about 3/16 in diameter to hold the tabs down. I wrecked two of these on my little dink boat.

The Bennett system is far more reliable (and they are super nice people to deal with). Just my 2 cents.

Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
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GB49
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Re: Trim Tabs

Post by GB49 »

Check out these new tabs.
http://www.zipwake.com/
1986 Sedan 32'. Twin Chrysler 360in^3, 275hp.
Forum member since 1998.
louism58
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Re: Trim Tabs

Post by louism58 »

Interesting looks like $3000 or so for my boat.

I can put a new pump on and extend the tabs for $400 lol
jralbert
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Re: Trim Tabs

Post by jralbert »

Backing up Jeff..the Bennett people have a reputation for good service and can guide you as to what replacement parts you'll need vs new system. I had, as you may recall, a 32 FBS with a genset aft. The tabs could always get the bow down but I do recall it being high sometimes when I tried to steer from the cabin. Things were always better sitting up top --except in a Ches Bay thunderstorm.

You just may need more tab surface. Call Bennett
-joel-
former owner 1988 '32 FB Sedan
Chesapeake Bay
twin 318 / 240 hp
Potomac MD
louism58
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Re: Trim Tabs

Post by louism58 »

Boat was pulled Friday so I will get down there next weekend to test the tabs and decide what to do.

The low cost approach will be make sure everything is working and then extend the tabs out with a piece of SS bolted to the bottom of the current ones.
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