Bennett Trim Tabs

[journey on]

Since Pat and I have experienced some of the same problems with boat and trailer maintenance, this is topic should interest him. Especially since our boats are the same age. Actually it's a note to any C-Dories that have trim tabs.


Whilst at Lake Piru (note: fresh water,) the trim tabs on Journey On died. If anyone doubts that trim tabs are needed to get a C-25 on plane, especially in fresh water, I will claim they are essential. And they have worked well for 5 years less one month.

On arriving home, I checked the hydraulic pump, located under the aft starboard lazarette hatch. To find out at what I was looking I went to their web site: Bennette Trim Tabs . This page gives an exploded view of the tab stuff as well as other pertinent data.

After removing the cover and finding the small filler hole (#3 in the diagram,) I found out that there was no oil. Having not checked it in 5 years, that seems reasonable, even though I've never seen a leak.

To fill it one gets a oil squirt can, fills it with any kind of trans fluid and squirts it into the filler hole to 2 inches above the bottom of the reservoir.

That white box on which the pump sits is the reservoir and it's actually translucent. I put a pencil mark 2" above the bottom, as specified, and filled it to there.

Works fine now, but I still was curious as to where the oil went, like it doesn't evaporate. Found a small oil spot at the the top of the starboard tab actuator. I'll look there and fix that leak. You only have to unscrew the top of the actuator attachment to get to the hydraulic fitting as shown on the diagram.

Boris

[Socrateur]

Thanks for this. I will be checking mine when I get home from work today.

[journey on]

And as a follow up: I pulled the stbd tab actuator off the transome, and lo and behold, some ATF came out of the hole in the transome. Tightened the plumbing nut 1/8 turn and we can only pray.

Now I have to reseat the actuator.

Boris

[Papillon]

Common Sense sure comes in handy from time to time. It is refreshing to read of someone that took the time to research their equipment and then apply some common sense and tackle the task of finding the problem and solving it. All without using the word "warranty"...or Factory Guarantee.

Kudoo's to all who follow this line of thought.

[Matt Gurnsey]

Bennett has been super supportive of their product after the sale, and when I moderated the Sea Magazine powerboat forum it was not unusual for one of their techs to post answers to trim tab questions- even when the question concerned another brand.

[Jack in Alaska]

My boat came with Bennett Trim Tabs. Although the boat was over 4 yrs. old it was essentially new with only 130 hrs. on it.

The trim tabs did not work. I researched them on their web site. Oil full, no leaks etc. I disconnected the wiring and powered the pump directly from the battery. All worked perfectly. Ahh..haa. The actuator switch. Upon contacting the factory with my finding they sent a new actuator switch and that solved the problem. They work perfectly now.
All they wanted was the old switch back to investigate what happened to it.
A great company to deal with. I wish all would do the same.

Fortunately my C-Dory performed fine w/o trim tabs but they are nice to have for side to side stabilization.

[Yellowstone]

'I can echo what Jack said about Bennett service. Best and most accommodating outfit. No wonder they dominate the maket. John

[Pat Anderson]

"Maintenance" is going to be my new middle name! My religion! When Daydream gets back from Gary Estes' shop, I will check the trim tab reservoir immediately. Thanks, Boris!