Bigger trim tabs

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Unfortunately, I believe “Tabman” passed away last year, he was from Bennett and had fabulous information on the subject. I did get some guidance on our boat, ‘89 340 sundancer, T340hp Merc 7.4w/BW Vdrives. I replaced 9 x 30 angle cut, stock tabs with 30 x 12 drop fin tabs when I purchased the boat, so I don’t have “before” data. Our boat consistently does 21-23 KTS @ 2800-3000rpm on “relatively” flat water. As I’m on Buzzards Bay, Ma, our “flat” conditions always have a bit of something. This is with the bow planted flat. Pictures below View attachment 81436View attachment 81437View attachment 81438View attachment 81439

hi Monty848

I’m considering all aspects to increase my tab size and what you have done was always a question mark for since the actuator is not in the center of the tab.

my questions for you
1- was that recommended by any tabs fabricator ?
2- is it holding up solid and not bending or any problems ?

that would be my easiest solution to for from 26x12 to (30-32) x12 with drop down fins in hope it gives me a better nose down attitude and performance but I want to make sure
 
hi Monty848

I’m considering all aspects to increase my tab size and what you have done was always a question mark for since the actuator is not in the center of the tab.

my questions for you
1- was that recommended by any tabs fabricator ?
2- is it holding up solid and not bending or any problems ?

that would be my easiest solution to for from 26x12 to (30-32) x12 with drop down fins in hope it gives me a better nose down attitude and performance but I want to make sure
I can answer this. I have always replaced my tabs with larger. Amazing difference, so as to having them centered see if I can explain this, I left the actuator, plunger, black plastic tube thingys, as is. So they were offset on the new tabs. But being stainless with that angle iron on top, flexing is not a problem. Hope this makes sense.
 
hi Monty848

I’m considering all aspects to increase my tab size and what you have done was always a question mark for since the actuator is not in the center of the tab.

my questions for you
1- was that recommended by any tabs fabricator ?
2- is it holding up solid and not bending or any problems ?

that would be my easiest solution to for from 26x12 to (30-32) x12 with drop down fins in hope it gives me a better nose down attitude and performance but I want to make sure

Something to consider vs. tabs are interceptors like Zipwake. They are getting installed on a lot of boats now because they seem to be more efficient. Also they can automatically control the pitch, roll, and yaw. They are not cheap, but I've been hearing good things about them.

Imtra (US distributor of Zipwake) as a page on the differences between tabs and interceptors.
https://www.imtra.com/learning-center/articleid/47/tim-tabs-vs-interceptors-which-are-better
 
I can answer this. I have always replaced my tabs with larger. Amazing difference, so as to having them centered see if I can explain this, I left the actuator, plunger, black plastic tube thingys, as is. So they were offset on the new tabs. But being stainless with that angle iron on top, flexing is not a problem. Hope this makes sense.


Thank you so much Pirate lady

I’ll take your advice based on true life experience as very recommendable

much appreciated and comforting as I don’t want any headaches

cheers
 
Phillipe, exactly what Pirate Lady said.
Was advised by the late, great Tabman. Check out my conversations and you can see the full exchange with details
 
One last thing. Factory tabs are installed with some serious glue and putty on the screws. You WILL have a hell of a time getting the screws out of the transom. Pay somebody. Plus the holes on the tabs angle iron, being offset have to be drilled new. Ever try drill thru stainless? PAY SOMEONE TO INSTALL!
 
Something to consider vs. tabs are interceptors like Zipwake. They are getting installed on a lot of boats now because they seem to be more efficient. Also they can automatically control the pitch, roll, and yaw. They are not cheap, but I've been hearing good things about them.

Imtra (US distributor of Zipwake) as a page on the differences between tabs and interceptors.
https://www.imtra.com/learning-center/articleid/47/tim-tabs-vs-interceptors-which-are-better
Very interesting !
I’m happy to hear about this technology although I’ll stick to tabs as Id like to have performance on the lower speeds as well like 10 knots and it seems that interceptors are more fitted for faster boats
Thanks for the info
 
Phillipe, exactly what Pirate Lady said.
Was advised by the late, great Tabman. Check out my conversations and you can see the full exchange with details
Even more reassuring
Thanks again
 
One last thing. Factory tabs are installed with some serious glue and putty on the screws. You WILL have a hell of a time getting the screws out of the transom. Pay somebody. Plus the holes on the tabs angle iron, being offset have to be drilled new. Ever try drill thru stainless? PAY SOMEONE TO INSTALL!
Thanks for the heads up
I’ll take that Chalenge
I tend to like it the hard way
 
Once again, Pirate Lady’s points are spot on. I was able to do it by only buying the trim planes with drop fins and reusing the stock backing and hinge plates. Only drilling was the 2 holes for the actuator , 4 total. I fortunately own a heavy duty corded drill and purchased this set of bits. You cannot easily drill S/S with run of the mill bits and small cordless drills. Ask me how I know ‼️
A2D9BEF6-F53E-4729-8373-0B8B6E8EC29E.jpeg
 

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Philippe, I just realized that you have a 380, another option that “might” be available to you is the modification many of the 85-90 390EC owners do. A second set of Bennett sport tabs, 10 x 12, between the prop tunnels, if you have the room. Plenty of info on this on the 390 EC thread. My bad, I assumed you had a 340, like ours. Oops, that we just sold‼️
 
Philippe, I just realized that you have a 380, another option that “might” be available to you is the modification many of the 85-90 390EC owners do. A second set of Bennett sport tabs, 10 x 12, between the prop tunnels, if you have the room. Plenty of info on this on the 390 EC thread. My bad, I assumed you had a 340, like ours. Oops, that we just sold‼️

Thank you
I will look the thread up
 
Something to consider vs. tabs are interceptors like Zipwake. They are getting installed on a lot of boats now because they seem to be more efficient. Also they can automatically control the pitch, roll, and yaw. They are not cheap, but I've been hearing good things about them.

Imtra (US distributor of Zipwake) as a page on the differences between tabs and interceptors.
https://www.imtra.com/learning-center/articleid/47/tim-tabs-vs-interceptors-which-are-better

Just want to tell you all that Trim Tabs is "yesterday's news", will never again have a boat with Trim Tabs after mounting on ZipWake on my Sundancer 260 / 270DC. This is my first Sea Ray Sundancer, pleased with everything except that it goes very badly in the sea. The wind grips it quickly. It's challenging to get it to stay "straight" when you go. Something I heard from many other SRS owners.
I have suddenly got a brand new boat, it is going fantastically well now.
The thing about it only being suitable for high-speed boats is just BS, now
planes the boat already at 12 knots, it is COMPLETELY stable regardless of crosswind and crab / stormy sea and speed should also save on fuel, but that was not why I bought it.
It was also straightforward to assemble yourself, only took a couple of hours.
Recommend this every day of the week to whatever boat you have.
Hope that's help you out to get an even better boat ride :)
 
Something to consider vs. tabs are interceptors like Zipwake. They are getting installed on a lot of boats now because they seem to be more efficient. Also they can automatically control the pitch, roll, and yaw. They are not cheap, but I've been hearing good things about them.

Imtra (US distributor of Zipwake) as a page on the differences between tabs and interceptors.
https://www.imtra.com/learning-center/articleid/47/tim-tabs-vs-interceptors-which-are-better

Common sense makes you think these are a joke. But I can't believe what I am reading about them. Thank you for posting this Brad.
 
Just want to tell you all that Trim Tabs is "yesterday's news", will never again have a boat with Trim Tabs after mounting on ZipWake on my Sundancer 260 / 270DC. This is my first Sea Ray Sundancer, pleased with everything except that it goes very badly in the sea. The wind grips it quickly. It's challenging to get it to stay "straight" when you go. Something I heard from many other SRS owners.
I have suddenly got a brand new boat, it is going fantastically well now.
The thing about it only being suitable for high-speed boats is just BS, now
planes the boat already at 12 knots, it is COMPLETELY stable regardless of crosswind and crab / stormy sea and speed should also save on fuel, but that was not why I bought it.
It was also straightforward to assemble yourself, only took a couple of hours.
Recommend this every day of the week to whatever boat you have.
Hope that's help you out to get an even better boat ride :)
I have no personal experience with them - other than hearing about them for a few years, now. Interesting concept, for sure!

Just out of curiosity, was there a reason you just didn't install Bennett's auto tab control system? It plugs right into your existing wiring harness - it's a simple plug-n-play and uses the existing tabs.
 
No personal experience with the ZipWake, one interesting thing I've heard on other forums and saw on YouTube is that ZipWake deploys / retracts much faster than traditional the tabs, users say the quicker adjustments make the boat feel more stable, etc. If I replace my tabs I'll consider ZipWake.
 
I
I have no personal experience with them - other than hearing about them for a few years, now. Interesting concept, for sure!

Just out of curiosity, was there a reason you just didn't install Bennett's auto tab control system? It plugs right into your existing wiring harness - it's a simple plug-n-play and uses the existing tabs.
Hello
ALL trim tabs are super slow. They do not have time to adjust the boat as ZipWake does regardless of brand. It is an outdated old solution. Last year I bought a Mente Marine that does the same thing as Bennet's auto tab. BUT, trim tabs are too slow in the reaction, so I sold it and now bought ZipWake instead. The auto trims all the time and can change the angle/depth of its protrusion in 1.5 seconds. You have to test ride a boat with it and one that does not have it of the same model, then I promise that you will lose your chin ..
Cheers
Roger
 

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