Lenco Trim Tabs

Winyah · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 4:50 pm Post subject:

On the recommendation of the factory, I installed 12x12 Lenco trim tabs on the "Winyah" (2000 22ft. cruiser- twin Honda 40's). What a great difference they made in the boat. Plenty of lift. One problem however--when fully extended, the tabs cause water to spray up around the motors, reaching as high as the tilt switch. The tabs are mounted 3/4 inch up from the bottom of the hull and nothing else dragging below the hull. Anyone else had this problem? Any possible remedies?

Gary

Almas Only · Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2005 5:25 am Post subject:

Gary:

I can't tell from your post how the tabs are mounted. Lenco's installation instructions call for the tabs to be attached to the transom 3/8 inch above the bottom of the boat, and be 3/4 inch above an extension of the boat's bottom, at the tab's trailing edge, when fully retracted. If you've got them mounted 3/4 inch above at the transom, you might want to have a chat with Lenco's technical reps, and consider whether you should remount.

Winyah · Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 2:36 pm Post subject:

Alma's Only

Thanks for the reply. I misspoke when I said 3/4 inch. They are 3/8 inch up from the bottom of the transom and 3/4 inch up at the planing edge when fully retracted. They work absolutely great other than the water they kick up around the motor when fully deployed. It doesn't create a rooster tail that comes in over the splash well, but it does come up uncomfortably high on the motor. It may be they way the tabs are turned up that is creating the problem. I think I will call the company rep and see what he thinks. Thanks again.
Gary

CAVU · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 5:30 pm Post subject:

I have just reviewed all the history on Lenco trim tabs vs Bennetts and Trim-Master. I still would like to go with the Lenco's. If I have done all my measurements right, I can use the TT12x12NS tabs and still have clearance on my twin Honda 40's. This tab has the actuator mounted near the hinge rather than back near the trailing edge. From all the other posts here this should give me more throw and much more lift. I would like to know where you guys with twins and tabs have mounted your depth transducers? A 12in wide tab doesn't leave much transom room for the transducer. Can it be moved between the engines? Any thoughts?

rogerbum · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:12 pm Post subject:

I don't have trim tabs on mine but the transducer for the sonar is located between the engines a few inches in front of the the plug (mine's a through hull and this might be something you chose not to do). At <6kts, the performance is fine in that location.

Roger on the SeaDNA

CAVU · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:26 pm Post subject:

Roger,
I have a transom mount Lowrance skimmer type transducer which works fine at all speeds. I would like to keep this but I don't know if a good location can be found for it. I don't think I would be too fond of drilling a hole in the bottom of the boat.

Winyah · Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 10:49 pm Post subject:

CAVU
I have my Lowrance skimmer mounted on a Cabela's starboard mounting board between the two Honda 40's. Drilled a hole in the mounting board for the plug hole. Works great and no holes in transom below the waterline. Transducer works well between motors at any speed.

I have the Lenco 12x12s and they provide more than enough lift --by far the best addition I've made to the boat.

Gary on "Winyah"

CAVU · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 6:34 pm Post subject:

Gary,
Thanks, that is just what I needed to hear. I like the idea of the electric tabs with no hoses or fluid to worry about. Thanks again.

Blueback · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 8:42 pm Post subject: Trim tabs, Hydrofoils

Re: "Gotta pay one way or the other, eh? TyBoo22 is an excellent example of the right way to do it! The outboard bracket/tab combination works great."

Would any care to expand on Tyboo22 "right way"

Blueback

Mighty Bite · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:51 am Post subject:

OK, I like Da Nag, and some others, have the Lenco 9"x12" trim tabs. They have been something less than I expected in efficacy so I am in the process of making some changes to the tabs. I hate the thought and expense of filling the old holes, violating my baby with new holes and buying new tabs. Coming up with a satisfactory work around, or solution, has been a challenge. More to the point, something simple and practical that I can get my arms around.

I am adding stainless steel wings to the existing tabs. the wings have an 8 degree downturn to help channel the water just a bit. The wings will add approximately 1" width to the front edge of the tab (1/2" ea wing) and 3" width to the rear width (1 1/2" ea wing)

Finished tab will have zero taper and the overall tab surface 120 sq. in., a full 10" x 12", with a modest 8 degree downturn of the side edges. I took the mock up pattern I had made, ran it by the fab shop this morning amd picked it up this afternoon. I haven't had a chance to drill the mounting holes or bolt them on as yet. However, I did, for illustration purpose, mount a pair of the wings on a trim tab with double side tape and took some pics which I put in 3rd Bytes album this evening.

I put the pics in my album because that I can handle. Don't know how to articulate them to another destination.

I should add that 3rd Byte a 22' Cruiser has a Johnson 90, 4 stroke w/
a Honda 9.9 kicker which sit on the Mighty Mike's. Tyboo special kicker bracket. The package accomodates the potential clearance problem.

C-WEED · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 12:01 pm Post subject:

3rd Byte:

I don't have tabs yet. I use a 15 kicker and need to build the leveling bracket for clearance before I get tabs. I am happy with the permatrim performance. The addition of tabs would be more better.

I like your modification. I thought at first the additional tab was a plate that would cover the original tab plus the added surface. From the Rear view photos I see that you extended from the sides. Did you consider a plate to cover the whole bottom? I would think it would make for a stronger tab in the rough stuff. Coated with 5200 and running the actuater bolts up thru would be a strong mount. Will you still run the permatrim? Interested to hear how it works out.

Mighty Bite · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 2:59 am Post subject:

Chris,

Yes, I considered putting a plate on the bottom. That would have been the easiest way to increase the effective tab surface. However, I had another issue to consider. The installation of the Lenco tabs (and all trim tabs) call for them to be mounted up from the plane of the bottom of the boat. Usually 3/8" up from the bottom plane. When C-Dory mounted mine they did not follow that install procedure, mounting the tabs with the leading hinge edge barely above the bottom plane of the boat. If I put a plate on the bottom of the tab, same thickness (1/8") as the tab, I would be right at the bottom plane or just slightly below it. Thus I opted to use the "wing" treatment. I don't see any disadvantages and if there is a
desire to make a change or adjustment it's a simple matter to unbolt them and take them off.

Mounted with ss bolts and 5200, strength of the units will not be an issue.

I intend to continue using the Permatrim. Although they lap each other in what they do, they also address different issues as well.

CAVU · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 4:55 pm Post subject:

Third Byte,
I have been following your posts closely. I intend to order the 12x12 Lencos. I have the twin 40 Hondas and am wondering if the Permatrims would be worthwhile along with the tabs? You mentioned that you think they address different issues--I am looking mainly for two things: leveling the boat at cruising speed and keeping the bow down enough for good visibility at slow speeds in rough water. It seems like I need to run at about 10-13 kts a lot and at that speed it is hard to see floating debris near the bow. Did the Permatrim help with lowering the bow?

TyBoo · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 5:14 pm Post subject:

Ken - I have to say this, and then I will stay out of it, but if you get the Bennett M120 Sport Tabs, you will not need anything else. Unbelievable how well they do what you're after. And you'll save over half the cost of them by not needing the foils.

OK - I'm done. Sure wish I had bought Bennetts for my second boat like I did for my first.

CAVU · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 6:29 pm Post subject:

Tyboo,
I have read all the posts I could find about the Lenco vs Bennett and I am willing to go either way. But. If 12x12 tabs will fit (at least according to my cardboard and duct tape proto-type they will), how could Bennetts be any better? Truly I am open to any opinions/suggestions so lay it on me.