Extended length of actuator

[MMcCawley]

I tried searching Google without any luck. Can someone tell me the maximum extended length of the actuator cylinders from the base pin to where the "hinge" intersects the surface of the top triangular mounting plate (or any other reference points).

Thanks!

 

[dpmulvey]

Not to be a smart ass (well maybe!!!) but why does it matter and what are you trying to accomplish?

 

[Tabman]

It sort of depends! We have made several custom stroke actuators for SeaRay. Our standard actuator is 13-3/4" from the top of the "triangle" to the very bottom of the hinge in the retracted position.

The stroke of the standard actuator is 2-1/2".

But as I mentioned we have some SeaRay actuators that are different than that.

Perhaps if you tell me what you might want to do, I can help.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

 

[mistercomputerman]

I thought he was trying to open his engine hatch.

 

[Tabman]

I thought he was trying to open his engine hatch.

We make hatch lifters for that!

Tom
Bennett Marine

 

[mistercomputerman]

Well, I wish I had known that last month. I had to buy a Warner hatch actuator.

But, while we are talking actuators and maybe trim tabs, and at the risk of hijacking the OP's thread, how do you calulate the proper size and position of Bennett tabs on a 2001 410 Sundancer?

 

[Tabman]

Mistercomputerman,

There have been many threads hear about the "correct" size of Trim Tabs for different models of SeaRays. Without exception they all end up with if you can increase the surface area of the Trim Tabs you will gain pretty significant improvements in performance. The best size are the largest you can fit on the transom. In all my years with Bennett I have never heard a complaint that the Trim Tabs were too big, but almost every day I work with boat owners to help them fit larger Trim Tabs, always with good results.

The fact that a larger Trim Tab will need to be deflected to less of a down angle than a smaller one to generate the same amount of lift means that they will create less drag.

For your 410 I would need to see a picture of the transom (I can't remember every boat). Some times teeing in a second set of smaller Trim Tabs inboard of the propeller pockets works really well.

If you have a photo of your transom that you can post that would be great.

If you could, please start another thread so I may keep track of them.

Tom
Bennett Marine

 

[MMcCawley]

I recently repaired the gel coat on my transom and installed larger tabs on my boat. The tabs "cycle" up and down fine but I want to play it safe and make sure the extended actuator will not over extend the trim tabs causing unnecessary stress on my transom (and stress crack free) gel coat. Its more of a precaution. I spent way to much time repairing the gel coat so I want to ensure I don't do anything that will cause new cracks.

 

[Tabman]

I recently repaired the gel coat on my transom and installed larger tabs on my boat. The tabs "cycle" up and down fine but I want to play it safe and make sure the extended actuator will not over extend the trim tabs causing unnecessary stress on my transom (and stress crack free) gel coat. Its more of a precaution. I spent way to much time repairing the gel coat so I want to ensure I don't do anything that will cause new cracks.

Ok, that makes sense! The normal range of motion for a Trim Tab is about 15 degrees, 20 at the max. Any much more than that and they create more drag than additional lift. If the pilot holes for the mounting screws were the appropriate size, you should have no worries even if the Trim Tabs exceeded 20 degrees of deflection. In this case cracks in the gel coat are more likely to occur if the pilot holes are too small than from stress on the fasteners,


Tom
Bennett Marine

 

[MMcCawley]

Perfect Tom, I'll double check the length and the angle. Thanks again!
Matt