Lenco Trim Tabs

Mighty Bite · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 3:13 am Post subject:

Hi Dusty,

Agreed the smallest tab that will do the job is the way to go. Problem is the job varies. The Lenco 9"x12" isn't........it's more like 8"x12" in actual area. That plus the fact that the small of the taper is to the back where the greatest amount of influence would be made in application is an added consideration. Tyboo and Bill's comments on increasing the travel may mitigate the effilcilency somewhat.

Careful what you wish for my friend. Valdez is in the middle of pretty steady rain and mucho fog right now. Supposed to be looking up over the weekend though. I was out today for a few hours getting some burn time on the boat and getting more familiar with the electronics but didn't wet a line. Too nasty for Betty so I solo'ed it.

Fishing will start seriously next week. Silvers are showing in the arm already but bloody few boats out on water because of the weather.

Sawdust · Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 11:12 am Post subject:

I'll wait for the weather at Val to clear, Mark.

We've whipped this por ol tab thing to death, I guess -- and I had to fight to get 'em on the first time and wouldn't be without them.

Agree, if small won't do the job, go bigger. I'm a cheap old goat though and know that every square inch of tab stuck down at an angle to lift one side of the boat beats the p out of my gas mileage, so priority one is to level the boat as much as practical before tabbing. Because TyBoo22 is no longer in my stable I can't go do my homework and quantify (big word for old guy) my bluff and bluster. Like latex, one size just ain't gonna fit all. A naked 22, as I'm sure was used in the magazine test, is totally different than one with windlass, rode, arch, radar, electronic gadgets unlimited, downriggers, extra battery, full fuel, full water, max pax -- endless list, and all of it adds bloat. Different tab requirement? You bet.

Larry and Sandy (daughter and son-in-law) just installed Lenco on their new 22, so I'll get a chance to play...

Feel guilty, Mark, pontificating all the time, but most of my small boat experience is from continually smashing my thumb with a hammer. Once should be enough - but you know me!! Just try to keep others from doing what I've done over and over and finally got the message!

Have fun, and catch lots!

Dusty

Mighty Bite · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 4:01 am Post subject:

Hey Dustyl,

Thank God we have your vast experience and insightful mind and quick wit to draw from. Keep it coming!

No question, that the variables are endless and no single answer can begin to address the myriad combinations that the fertile mind can add to a seemingly simple hull. Reckon that is part of the fun of it.

Been out the last couple days cruising and putting time on the boat. Pulled it out of the water today for the first service and it goes back in tomorrow.

Next week the serious fishing starts and as luck would have it the weather is looking up. I'll nail a big'un for you and stick you name on it but the derby winner is mine baby!

Enjoy!................Mark

Sawdust · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 5:01 pm Post subject:

Kind words, Mark -- but many Brat old salts are more knowledgeable but just don't mouth off so much. I've learned so much from (1) Sailors. Back when I was a Herrschoff sloop owner and a listener, many many lessons. Number one, I guess, that those beautiful seagulls that make cruising a delight are just Texas buzzards looking for road kill. Do your homework before you take in lines and get underway. (2) Predicted Log racers. The great years I spent with those guys taught me so much about reading a chart, reading water, tuning a boat -- much more than all of my formal education and time at sea. And (3) C-Lou (my Love

) and her professional cohorts -- I'm 84 years old, and If I don't keep my mouth shut it will quit working too!! Smile

Dusty

Chuck S · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 12:49 pm Post subject:

Predicted Log! There's a voice from the past!

Loran-C killed Predicted Log competition and GPS kicked over the tombstone [ Wink

]. I remember the guys hauling their cabin cruisers and polishing the bottom and propellers like they were ** Gasp! ** sailboat racers. Our club in Cleveland had two or there of these events a year. Took us college age blowboaters a while to figure out what was going on.

Once we found out some of the big power boat guys had daughters (and real refrigeration) on board we were glad to leave our Thistles, and Flying Dutchmen for a weekend to help out!

-- Chuck

Sawdust · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:01 pm Post subject:

Not even sick, Chuck -

Active throughout the boating world. No watches, no navaids, no electronic assistance. Just you, your boat and your best guess. Fun, fun. Guaranteed challenge.

Dusty

Chivita · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 7:22 pm Post subject:

I have perhaps a more economical solution to the Lenco trim tab issue and would appreciate any constructive opinions.

Why not fabricate several spacers out of Starboard that would mount between the actuator base and the trim tab itself. My thought is to cut 4 triangular shaped pieces of 1/2 inch Starboard and mount them with longer bolts - two 1/2 inch spacers for each trim tab. The biggest negative I can think of is that it would lower the trim tab down one inch, a concern in following seas. If that is the case, then I could pull one spacer out from each tab and try it again.

Thoughts?

"Chivita" Dave

TyBoo · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 9:24 pm Post subject:

Hi Dave, nice to hear from you again.

I did just what you are thinking about. I put a 1/2" spacer between the tab and the lower end of the actuator. It made a difference. I wouldn't call it significant, but it is noticeable. I really think one full inch would keep them too low in the water for those times you want them fully up. Maybe you should try putting your 1/2" spacer between the transom and the upper mount, and then moving the lower mount inward toward the transom and drilling new holes in the tab for the bracket. That would push the tab down just a little at fully retracted, but the geometry change would give if a large amount of extra depth at full extension. The reason I suggest the spacer at the top mount is so the large OD of the actuator will not contact the transom when the tab is extended. Try it. Holes are free, and if it doesn't work, you can always restore it to original. The extra holes in the tabs won't hurt a thing. I'll be doing that when the boat is back on the trailer.

So, what else is going on??

Chivita · Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 10:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks Mike! I cut up some Starboard and tried two half inch pieces under one tab. You are right on the money in that with two pieces the trim tab would be lower than parallel to the hull. With just one half inch piece placed between the trim tab and actuator the Lencos on Chivita are parallel to the hull angle with the rear part of the tab the same height above the hull as the foward part of the tab in the full up position. There is a noticable difference in the fully down position and I am looking forward to testing out how much this has helped.

I also look forward to hearing the results of your idea once you get the chance to make those changes. Please let me know how far forward you moved the bottom part of the actuator!

Thanks again!

"Chivita" Dave

Mighty Bite · Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:23 pm Post subject:

Bill (DaNag) and I have been kicking around a couple ideas on how to improve the performance of the Lenco trim tabs and wanted to share them and get your feedback.

Plan "A": Have a bottom plate fabricated out of stainless to match the bottom plate of the Bennett Sport tabs. Then simply bolt it on to the existing Lenco tab, and move the lower ram mount back a bit to get more throw.

Plan "B": Pull the Lenco tabs off. Flip them over, thereby reversing the mounting plate (holes match perfectly, but a shim would have to be added to allow for the clearance for the hinge on re-installation). Have a fabrication shop change the angle of the 90 degree 7/8" edges on each side of the trim tab (now turned "down edges") to a 15 to 20 degree angle. This would cause the water to channel and hold better under the tab as well as increasing the actual bottom surface of the tab by about 15 sq inches. Here again, is the option of moving the lower ram mount to get more throw. As there is about a 5" long, 90 degree, ear on the rear of the tab, this would simply be cut off flush.

A significant advantage to "A" is that the existing installation of the Lenco tab would be left in place and undisturbed.

Paranoia has a way of appearing when the subject of new holes, old holes, any holes, including re-using old holes comes into play.

Da Nag · Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:35 pm Post subject:

Mighty Bite · Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:44 pm Post subject:

Tough call, that kind of expertise is hard to find......

Valkyrie · Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:58 pm Post subject: Bennetts

FYI:

Before we ordered our new 22 last week, I called the factory and talked to Jeff, requesting Bennett 120's, based on the posts I read here. Jeff informed me that all new orders are going out with Bennetts.

Valkyrie

Lynn Marie · Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 7:16 pm Post subject:

Shoot, that's not nice. Those factory guys may put that other poor feller out of the business of fixun junk.

Tim