I know how some like closure, so here it is. Even though the Triple J is still frozen in solid I knocked out the trim tab installation in about 20 hrs. The directions are great, but some good common sense is necessary.
Mounting the trim tabs to the transom was probably the easiest part of the project. Used a 3 foot level as a straightedge firmly screw jacked against the bottom. Was fortunate in missing my fuel tank hold-down strap brackets by about an inch; it’s hard or next to impossible to know exactly where the through holes will end up. Per Bennett approval I used 5200 instead of marine epoxy on the tab hinge bracket, and on the upper control arm; sharp drill bits with accurate centers are a must.
Finding a place to mount the pump and EIC relay module was probable the hardest part of the project; I went with mounting them between the tanks against the transom. There was just not enough room beside and on top of the fuel tanks; sure I could have made it possible but access would have been tough.
You need about 3 inches clearance on top of the pump to slide it down into its holding bracket and have enough top clearance to pull the top cover, not possible unless you place it close to the floor. What I did was mount a backing plate of marine plywood to the transom steeped out about an inch at the top to level it vertically, and then mounded the pump bracket to and additional piece of board that attaches to the backing plate with two screws. The pump is now mounted as High and Dry as possible and can be removed with two screws, which I had to do after priming the lines-was no problem.
The EIC module is mounted to the side attached to a piece of starboard.
I wanted enough room under the pump for my in-hull transducer, another project I’ll tackle later this summer.
To protect the pump & EIC relay took a little ingenuity, perseverance, and ideas taken from fellow Brats. The bottom portion is composite deck 2x2s with cider attached with two galvanized corner brackets to hold a piece of starboard. Sandwiched a couple pieces of starboard together on the back side of a large piece, once dropped in place it covers most everything but still allows water flow underneath.
I wanted the EIC located in a convenient place but doing this required unbolting the steering column and dripping it to the side. I’d already tried to pull the wheel but didn’t have the right puller, unbolting was easy since I’d already done that when I cut out the mount hole and moved the column up and inch earlier this winter.
When I moved the steering column up an inch this left a sizable gap under the column, so made something functional to cover the hole. After mounting my little catch-all using the same bolt holes that held the steering column decided the black knob had to go, made a replacement out of Sitka Spruce-after all she’s an Alaskan boat.
Thanks again for all the helpful suggestions.
Plenty of room and no trouble at all. I would like to know how to do them too. Good luck Jay!
