Another new trimtab believer

J

Jimbo

New member
In case anybody out there is still wondering if trim tabs on a Cdory are worth the money, THEY ARE!!!
I put mine on over the winter and tried them out last weekend when we went up to our cabin. Heading up Sat morning it was nice and calm so it gave me a chance to play with them. In good water it is about a 20 min run from the marina to the cabin. In bad water it can take up to an hour, at least it has in the past. One of our kids had to work Sunday AM so we headed out about 5PM to drop her off at the marina. As we came out of our sheltered bay we got hit with a head on wind and 3 foot chop. This would have been a 45 min run last year. I dumped the tabs full on got up on a plane and slowly eased them back. The differance was unbelieveable. where we would have had to throttle back and chug through this stuff last year and still take some pounding we stayed up on the plane and rode our way over them. We were at the marina in 30 min and Sher wasn't complaining about sore boobs!!!! I agree this is one of the best options that you should order on this boat. Only thing I need to do is reverse the solinoid switch wires My mind can't get it that pushing the starboard rocker switch down forces the starboard bow down. I need the starboard switch to lower the starboard tab. I think I remember somebody else commenting on this a while ago. Anyways, sorry I rambled but I am impressed.
Jimbo
 
they should be standard equipment when these boats were first used most of the boaters had 2 stroke eng 70hp-90hp a lot less weight with the new 90 4 strokes they are at least 100-150 lb more weight in the rear of our boats just like some of our owners.The Duck has the Lenco elec trim tabs 9by12 with a Bobs stabilizer like the permatrim but cheaper.I find the trim tabs was one of the best upgrades better then the stabilizer .This allows the captain to dial in the ride much better then just trimming eng works for me
 
Jimbo,
I agree with you; I think trim tabs should be standard equipment. And also, I'm one of those "wired" the same way as you are re. their operation.
Al
 
Jimbo-

Glad they work for you!

Are they Bennett M-120 Sport Tabs?

Are you using them with the motor trim alone, or do you have a hydrofil on the anti-ventilation plate?

Do you think that trim-tab position indicators would be necessary or valuable?

Whatever kind you have, do they retract upward fully when you turn the power off?

Sugggestion from the far side:

After you get the wires reversed, place a graphic drawing above and below the rocker switches:

1. Firm boobs on the bow-down side.

2. Floppy boobs on the bow-up side.

(Never hurts to laugh a bit!) :teeth

Joe.
 
How did you mount the trim tabs on the 81 ????
I have a 83 and it has a curved transom and I came to the conclusion that I would need to fabricate some wedges that would be inserted between the transome and the tab mount to keep from binding and also to keep it tracking true.
could you post some pics of your tabs and how they are mounted
 
I think of the switches, when wired the most common way, as
pushing down a corner of the boat. If I want to push down the
stbd side of the bow, I push the upper half of the stbd switch.
Push down the transom? Push both bottom halves of the switches.

Once you think about it in these terms, you probably won't get
confused. I get confused about lots of things, but I've managed
to usually get this correct (you should see me try to back a trailer.
And I know about hand on bottom of wheel, turn in direction
you want boat to move...what I can say?)

Mike
 
Sorry it's taken me a bit to get back to you. Been working late all week.
Moose
Glad to know I am not the only "backwired" guy.
Seawolf
These are Bennett Trim Tabs. I'm not sure of their size, will get out to measure on the weekend. They are not the sport tabs as they don't have a bat wing on them. I think they are oversized for the boat but a local marine shop (Steveston Marine) was clearly out overstock before Xmas. I got them complete for 299.00 Cdn. I actually picked up 2 sets and will be putting a set on our 20' Regal next. I did get the auto retrac and really like it. Saves having to remember to pull them back up then we get to where are going. I didn't go for the indicators as I had heard that they are not that accurate and I think I can tell by how the boat is riding where the tabs are. As for motor trim well this is a 1988 Johnson 88 HP without motor trim. Yup... lift up by hand lower down by hand. It does have a hydrofoil on it and I haven't decided to leave it on or take it off. I will probably run part of the summer with it on and then take it off to see if there is a differance. I have picked up a used trim motor on Ebay but haven't had time to mount it yet. I like your idea of the Boob indicators!! Will have to work on that one!!!
Roger
When I mounted the hinges I was able to screw the 2 centre screws straight in as the transom was flat enough. On the outer holes I took stainless fender washers and stacked them between the transom and hinge until they were fairly tight. I had predrilled pilot holes and I pumped silicone from the tab side through the washers and into the hole. I then siliconed the screw and cranked it in. I realized that this left a gap on top so I pumped silicone right around the entire hinge assembly. So far so good. I will try and post some pix this weekend.
Mike
Sorry it is stuck in my mind port rocker switch down, port tab down.


Also want to warn everyone, when you install the rocker switches, make sure the cut out hole is big enough. Mine wasn't. Didn't realize this til we were on the water. I hit both the switches for bow down and let go. Starboard switch came up port one didn't. Suddenly we were in a full hard over port turn. I naturally hit the starboard switch (see note to Mike above) which retracted the port tab and we went into harder port turn!!!
Finally got all tabs back up and was careful from then on, but still dumped everybody out of their seats when it happened. I had played with the switches in my warm dry shop with no problems but once in the water I guess the plywood swelled just enough to pinch the switch. Aah the joys of new toys.
Jimbo
 
Trim tabs on C-Dory..(except TomCat) are the best thing since sliced bread!! I put them on my old boat a 22ft 1990 Angler ( sold last Dec Dec for what I paid for her!!) "the only way to fly!!
pay the extra for the LED trim tab indictators on the switches...VERY helpfull!!

Dick
255 Tomcat
"ShirleyMae
 
I agree that LED lights on the tabs are very much worth while--not only to see where the tabs are "now" but to pre set them as you get into rough water.

3 feet chop--is a lot for a CD 22--impressive.

Trim of any type--motor, tabs etc should become a reflex--and you should not have to think about what you are doing. Also fully retractable tabs when you turn off the ignition is an important feature.

Also be sure and trim the bow up when going down seas/waves.
 
thataway":1zoua0fe said:
....Also fully retractable tabs when you turn off the ignition is an important feature.
....
Click to expand...

Our honda mechanic was adamant that I shouldn't connect anything
to the engine harness, so I moved the auto-retract to the accessory
switch. Anyone else hear of this?

Mike
 
You guys have got me thinking about putting trim tabs on Chester.
Here's the thing. The boat has twin engines which take up room. On the starboard side of the transom are the paddlewheel and the sonar transducer. Where will these go? Anyone install their sensors on the centerline between the motors.? Squeeze one on each side?
Another issue is the placement of the hydraulic pump the Bennetts use. Chester has two water seperator-fuel filters mounted inside the transom between the tanks, dosen't leave much room. It would then be next to impossible to install a bilge pump in that location.
This has me thinking about installing Lenco's, though some people have expressed dissatisfaction with this brand. They are attractive to me because they don't have a pump to deal with. I've heard that Bennet's 120 tabs are a perfect fit. They measure 10" x 12". The Lenco website states that their actuaters will work with Bennet's tabs. I suppose a hybred could be built.
Any suggestions?
 
Milehog:

I have the Sportab 120's on a CD-22. I found that the pump/reservoir fits perfectly tucked in the starboard shelf rear corner. I have the perko rod holders and the pump fits in behind the rod holder almost out of sight. The rod holder was lifted up to slide the pump in behind. It is well protected and easy to top off with fluid/service if ever needed. The hydro lines go straight out the rear of the pump right around the batteries and the corner of the boat to the cylinders. The wires run from the pump straight up the original wire loom to the cabin. Seems like the perfect location for it. Installation is a breeze.

I could click a pic if you want.

Everybody has their thoughts on the brand and here a few of mine.

The sport tab interlocking solid hinge seems far superior to the piano wire hinge of the other.

The turned down edges of the sport tab gives more lift for it's size and helps the flat bottom dory track better than a flat tab.

I wasn't sold on the exposed to the microbes screw jack design with electric motors being emersed in water. Salt water would add problems. Does anyone know if these motors add to electrolysis/corrosion problems? They say the screw jack will operate faster than the hydro version. Can you measure a nano-second?

If a cylinder seal needs replaced it can be changed without removing the cylinder from the boat.

The Bennett customer support is as good as any. Several users report replacement parts being offered at no cost/free shipping well after 5 years of ownership. Long after any written warranty. Read it on "The Hull Truth. The TabMan is the man.
 
I agree that the Bennett are a better trim tab. At the Van Boat show the first year we saw the Cdorys I asked the sales rep about the Lencos and he said then that they were going back to Bennett tabs because there were less problems. I did measure my tabs they are 9X18, like I said, they were just to good a deal to pass up. Got the wiring redone and adjusted the switch mounting hole. Was up to the cabin on the weekend and tabs worked great. Very happy with the investment.
Jimbo
Roger; Sorry I didn't get any pix taken, will try next time I'm at the boat.
 
It didn't occur to me to mount the pump on the cockpit shelf. That really opens things up! I looked at the transom again. There is about 18" from the motors leg to the inside of the reverse chine. Bennett reccomendes that the tab be placed 8" outboard of the leg. They also spec the tab be 3"-4" inside of the chine. The M120 tab is 10" wide. Lets review.
8"+10"+3"=21" OK where does a fella squeeze the margins? If I mount the 10" wide tab with the outside edge at the immediate inside of the chine, only the paddlewheel will have to be moved.
I know it'll work, I'm just panicking about drilling through the hull in the wrong places.
I 'spose it wouldn't be a dealbreaker to move both sensors but damn, that's a lot of holes.
 
The Lencos big lure is their simpler installation, requiring only electrical connections to their motors.

However, the motors and screw-jack actuators are much more problematic when left under water for longer periods, particularly in salt water. Inevitably, some salt gets through the shaft seals.

The Bennett hydraulic design, though more complicated to install initially, is much less sensitive to water, since only hydraulic fluid and the two-way pistons are on the other side of the seals in their design.

IMHO, use of the Lencos should probably be limited to trailered boats and maybe even fresh water.

Tom at Bennett Trim Tabs is a legendary figure in quality factory service and technical advice.

The Bennett Trim Tabs on my Sea Ray have been moored and under fresh water for 18 years and work great.

Some designs are inherently superior and workable. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Remember to retract the tabs when moored so as to withdraw as much of the shaft as possible back into the protection of being inside the cylinders and bathed in oil.

Joe.
 
I have twin Honda 40s with Bennett Trim Tabs and the paddlewheel transducer mounted roughly centerline between them. Their pump is to the starboard of the aft bilge pump between the fuel tanks. Seems to work well. I strongly encourage you to consider the auto retract and trim tab position indicator features...wish I had'em.
 
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