Hi Guys, adding the spacer seems counterprodcutive to me. If you look at the Bennetts website and others, the tab is meant to push water under the rear of the hull creating a "Hill" (as they call it). The angle of the trim tab creates this hill for it to be effective. By flattening it out, you are now running on the tab itself and will require further down force to push water under the hull.
I would seek independent advice from the manufacturers prior to putting in spacers.
regards Adam
Fitting instructions for Bennett and Lenco say to fit a wedge or shim so they are parallel to the keel of the boat.
See figure 5;
http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/pdf/i...stallation.pdf
Look up Tabman's product page on thehulltruth for more Bennett fitting advise for such situations. Plastic wedges are standard method these days. Depends on the angle as to how much it it needs it.
Snatchy,
I read that to mean the mounting had to be on a Flat surface as the curved surface would bend the tab when installed.
BUT that's were I started thinking about how the angle of the transom would make the taps point out. I sent Bennett's an email asking for there advise over the matter.
Cheers
Brett
Sorry, yes you are right that link is for curvature. I was on autopilot for a few minutes when i wrote that
if you google you will find some info about using wedges correcting for transom angle as it is a common issue. The edges of your M120's will cause it to be a bigger issue than other tabs, as Lancair mentions. From what i have read it steers the boat but don't know what other issues it causes?
Mine has both curvature and angle to contend with so i have done a lot of research and have some significant work to do to get them mounted adequately.
Bennett has great after sales service and i am sure you will get good advise
I wonder whether you can overthink these things.
These tabs were fitted by the seafarer dealer to my victory a few years ago.
They go just fine and while there are undoubtedly other good ways to do it , this set up has done hundreds of hours happily for me.
Good Luck with the job
Brendan
PS They are roughly in line with the long axis along the chine.The little dress flange was done at Greens to tidy up the hole in the duckboard
Hi Brendan
Looks like us Seafarer owners get great boats and extra benefits like straight transoms to bolt / screw things like trim tabs without any extra fiddle with wedges! Winner once again.
Cheers
Chimo
What could go wrong.......................
It looks that way , Doesnt it.
The boat in question is the same I imagine, so it should be straight up and down. The hole on the boards has been absolutely no problem at all. My personal preference is for doing the cut rather than re engineering the rams and fulcrum point, although I did enjoy watching the post of the process last year or thereabouts.
Cheers Mate
Brendan
Yeah Brett, look I really don't think it matters that much either way you do it as far as them being effective trim tabs goes.Originally Posted by fishfeeder
I only did this to get cleaner water flow and I have seen some that spay a bit of water around. It's not a big deal. Just if you start with toe out it will be more as you apply them and the surface pressure across the tab will be a little less even giving a slightly spongier effect not that I would or could measure it. I just figured that it stands to reason that a plate running as close as practical to the water flow at cruise speed will give the most efficient effect and cleaner running. A few degrees of offset probably makes bugger all difference.
The poly material I used is quite dense and rigid (for plastic) and has been used extensively for making wedges and packing for these types of things on boats.
I have never had any issues with it used in this situation and it is well glued and screwed. I keep a good eye on these things and would notice any problems pretty quickly.
Yeah I do use 3 different screw lengths but probably don't have to as they only screw into the void anyway, but me being miserly 316 SS -50mm x 6mm are dearer than 25mm x 6mm, so I get what is long enough for each part.
The main thing is just get them on there asap and enjoy the difference.
My 2004 Seafarer Vagabond is a fantastic boat and I think its made very well, I just cant see how you would call them a straight trnasom. Anyway by what everyone has stated it probably wont make that much of a difference so I am going to put them on without the Wedge first up as I can add the wedge later without to much of a problem....
Talking about problems, I was going to replace the 4 Brake discs and Calipers today on the trailer, but the Calipers dont match the mounting holes.... So now I am looking at the weather and wondering if I should put the old one back on and just go fishing ??
Cheers and hope everyone has a great weekend
Brett
sounds like two good decisions there Brett
Get out and have a good one.
Brendan
How far out of alignment? Is it a tinny?
Certain size lencos (12w x 9) were renowned for the tabs bending (mostly port side) as the plate wasn’t thick enough for the size/design of the folds down the sides.
Does it also lean more to the left than right too (when each tab is fully down)? I would say this has more to do with the effect of prop torque than tab alignment – subject to the above! Depending on the boat, prop, motor height & steering tab alignment some combinations give some boats a distinct lean to the left. Others it is hardly noticeable, however prop torque from a standard RH prop will always tend to lean the boat to the port/left.
Don’t do it! The folds are there for a reason – they add rigidity/strength to the tabs.
Cheers
Brendon
Yeah I had my trailer brakes to pieces last week, Haven't quite finished the little upgrades I was doing but put it all back together today ready for an opportunity to get out this week, Maybe...??
I'm sure it will rain a blow again soon enough so I'll get back to the trailer then.
Just as a follow up, Bennett's got back to my email, and they said "You will need to manufacture some mounting shims for the mounting plates & actuators to ensure the tabs are positioned inline with the water flow for proper operation."
So I have sent a reply asking for more information on how they surgest to do the installation.
Cheers
Brett
Hi Brett
Just for interests sake how about referring / sending pics of my Vagabond and Tenzing's Victory and the way the tabs are fitted to Bennetts.
Please ask what they would fit or how they would install tabs differently.
Also please bear in mind that mine were fitted by Lindsay Fry who was responsible for the design of both those hulls and owned the company at that time before selling it to the Haines family.
Looking forward to their thoughts
Cheers
Chimo
What could go wrong.......................
Hi Brett, Chimo and all. I have fitted my tabs under the steps, they are at a slight angle but there are a fair few set like this and from what info I can soarce it doesnt make much difference or any.
I shifted the tab bracket to the back of the tab on they went.
Full test at easter.
Cheers Stu
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