SUBJECT: # 22396: Update on post 22388 - Installing tabs today!

Submitted by Aero320 (207.144.229.36) from TENNESSEE on 1/12/2002 7:09:00 PM

Actually started at 11:00 am. Stopped at 5:30 pm, wife wants to go to dinner.

Here is what I have done so far:

1. Mounted both trim tabs. It took longer to decide exactly where I wanted them located than to actually mount them. I am very particular about the boat!

2. Mounted hydraulic pump and connected hoses. Only took two trips to hardware store.

3. Having problem running wiring harness from center console to back of boat. Will regroup tonight and attack again early in the morning.

So far have be very pleased with the product and the installation. Tabs are very rigid and mount is secure.

Tabman, if you are reading this, I have a part that I cannot find reference for use. It is a thin plastic square that measures 2 ¼” x 2 ¼” and has four raised bosses with holes. The bosses stick up about ¼”

1. 1/12/2002 10:52:00 PM Submitted by Tabman (152.163.197.181) from FLORIDA says Drill Guide
   Aero,

   It is a drill guide to center the 4 hole saw cuts if you want to mount the Rocker Switch by making 4 hole cutouts. Look at the template on the Rocker Switch instructions and you will see it lines up with withe the centers of the four holes. You can use it to start the pilot holes if you want. Or you can use the papet template. Or you can cut out a square hole with a saw.

   I don't think we refer to it in the instructions. Don't ask me why, think we forgot! I am going to check the instructions when I get to work on Monday.

   Sounds like the installation is going well. Running wire through the boat is always the most time consuming part!

   Let me know how it goes!

   Tom Bennett Marine

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2. 1/13/2002 2:37:00 PM Submitted by Aero320 (207.144.229.36) from TENNESSEE says Project Completed!
   Started on Trim tab installation project again this morning at 9:00 am and finished at 12:30 pm. Biggest problem was running wires from back to center console. My 50 year old body does contort very well.

   Everything seems to be working well. No leaks, no electrical problems. Am going to lake to test this afternoon.

   Tabman, I have been recording the project for posterity.

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3. 1/13/2002 11:00:00 PM Submitted by aero320 (207.144.229.36) from TENNESSEE says Results of lake test!
   Took boat out to lake this afternoon to test the new install of Bennett BT810 trim tabs on Triton Bayflight 18.

   Started with full tank of fuel (42 gallons I think). Also, I built custom filtered bait tank that would also serve as a seat base saving floor space in the boat. The seat pad and backrest from the original seat (base was a cooler style) were used. Tank was filled with 30 gallons of water. Full complement of fishing equipment on board.

   Engine is Ficht 175 on 6” jackplate. Here is what I found:

   With tabs up no effect on WOT. The boat normally runs between 55 and 63 mph depending on load. Max speed is achieved with motor trimmed way up.

   With tabs down, boat got on plane very easily.

   I found I could stay on plane as slow as 15-18 mph. With tabs up it was more like 23-25 mph.

   At cruising speeds, the tabs could be adjusted to produce a very smooth stable ride. Before tabs, the boat would tend to porpoise at certain mid-range speeds unless the engine was trimmed down. Now I can trim the engine to level, or slightly high, and tap on the trim tab rocker switches to stabilize the boat. I was able to very quickly to develop a “feel” for the tab adjustments.

   I am delighted with the addition of the trim tabs to the boat and now understand many of the comments on this board from people who have use trim tabs.

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4. 1/14/2002 11:08:00 AM Submitted by r.s. (129.33.49.206) from NEW YORK says curious
   I've never had tabs on any of my rigs (yet) but I didn't think you would trim up with your engine and down with your tabs. Isn't that just both the engine and your tabs working against each other ?? I thought you either want to raise the bow with the engine or use the tabs to stuff the bow down in rough water or to plane at lower speeds but with the motor trimmed down at the same time. What am I missing ??

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5. 1/15/2002 1:27:00 AM Submitted by Hawkeye (129.86.240.203) from VIRGINIA says Tabs
   This is my 1st year with tabs myself and they are the best addition to my boat since the hardtop. In the 200 hrs I run her this year I found I can actually pick up a little speed by tabbing down a little with the engine trim up a little. What its doing is lifting the stern and leveling the boat so your not useing the hp to hold the boat in the air. All this will depend on your hull design. When you use just the engine to stuff the bow you change the thrust angle to a less efficent angle and loose a lot of speed not to mention wetted boat surface. All I know is I can be running along with no tab and engine trimed up and give it a shot of dowm tab and pick up about .5 mph. Now thats not much gain but if I just trimmed the engine down to the same angle I would loose 2 mph. Plus the tabs seem to hold the bow down a lot better then just the engine. Made a big difference in the ride quality being able to tweek the pitch of the boat to ride quartering chop smoother. B4 it would always lay into the chop for a rough ride.

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6. 1/15/2002 9:59:00 AM Submitted by r.s. (129.33.49.202) from NEW YORK says thanks hawk makes sense ... nmsg
   nmsg

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