Bennett M120 ftrim tabs for Slickcraft 235

[ctanke]

Need some advice guys. I have a Slickcraft 235 that I am looking to install trims on. Boat weighs 3800# empty. Mercruiser 888/Ford 302. Bennett charts say I need 18" or 24" tabs. I'll be setting it up for salmon fishing on lake michigan - so I'll have transducers etc. sharing transom space. 24 wouldn't work, maybe 18s but I'd rather get a smaller footprint if possible. Bennett M120 are engeneerd to make up for the lake of square inches by design, but are rated for up to a 23 foot vessel.
Might this still be an option for me? Thanks in advance, Chris

 

[redneck joe]

tabman will be along shortly to assist.

 

[dingbat]

You can substitute depth for width. I have 12" x 12" on my boat (22' x #5200) that work very well, to well in fact. The boat can get squirrelly when too much tab is applied

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Ctanke,

I have the exact same boat and engine. I was having an issue with getting the bow dow at cruise and occasional leveling. I put new Bennett trim tabs on this past spring. I installed the 24"x9" per the website. They fit the boat but the 24" span is too much tab. Like Dingbat said, I have to be just right with the tabs or I get tab steer. They do what I need them to do but I think the 18"x 9" would have been better. I think I can turn my Slickcraft into a submarine if I put my 24" tabs all the way down. DIVE...DIVE...DIVE!!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

I used the M120 on my 19' searay and loved them.

 

[Tabman]

Need some advice guys. I have a Slickcraft 235 that I am looking to install trims on. Boat weighs 3800# empty. Mercruiser 888/Ford 302. Bennett charts say I need 18" or 24" tabs. I'll be setting it up for salmon fishing on lake michigan - so I'll have transducers etc. sharing transom space. 24 wouldn't work, maybe 18s but I'd rather get a smaller footprint if possible. Bennett M120 are engeneerd to make up for the lake of square inches by design, but are rated for up to a 23 foot vessel.
Might this still be an option for me? Thanks in advance, Chris

Chris.,

The 10" x 12" M120s are designed to make a little more lift with a smaller footprint by using downward facing fins on the sides that capture pressure that normally escapes and channel it aft. They would be OK, but not optimum for your Slickcraft. They will not give you as slow a planing speed as an 18 x 9 would. If you can fit the 18" go for it. If it is a really hassle then the M120s would suffice.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

 

[ctanke]

Thnks guys, I realy appreciate your taking the time to help me out.
Chris