Bennatt ATC

[Ko6789]

Hi I have a 2006 sea ray 215 weekender and I have Bennett trim tabs that are the right size for the boat and I want to put install automatic controls from Bennett will that work well and increase the efficiently the boat is slow to get up on plane when it's fully loaded with 8 people the boat is 21.5 feet and is about 6,000lbs. Fully loaded and is the system fairly easy to install?

Thanks,
Kev

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bennatt ATC

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... 8 folks in a 21' boat is Overloaded, trim tabs, or not....

I donno if puttin' auto-control on 'em will help or not, though I kinda doubt it...

Do you use the tabs manually to assist planing,..??

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Bennatt ATC

Do you use the tabs manually to assist planing,..??

Yup, this is the question.. If using the tabs manually (and correctly) doesn't help the boat plane faster with that much load, then adding ATC is just going to be a more expensive way of accomplishing the same thing (nothing).

 

[JoLin]

Re: Bennatt ATC

Hi, Kev- welcome to iboats. Did a quick search and looks like max capacity for your boat is 8 passengers/1400 lbs. Agree with spoilsofwar and Bond-o... you're running right at the max, and most any boat will wallow like a pig when you do that. If the tabs aren't helping, ATC won't improve the situation.

A different prop might help some, but I'd be more concerned that for safety and comfort (but mostly for safety), you're cramming too many aboard.

My .02

 

[Ko6789]

Re: Bennatt ATC

yes right now we use the trim tabs and they do help get us up faster

 

[Tabman]

Re: Bennatt ATC

The Auto Tab Control is quite easy to install, here is a link to the installation instructions http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/pdf/instIcon/AC3000_instructions_final.pdf

Having the correct size Trim Tabs is essential for good results bothe operating them manually and with the ATC.

The other posters make good points about the load you are running with and the use of Trim Tabs. It is important to note that the ATC is not used when getting the boat on to plane. To do that you lower the Trim Tabs prior to advancing the throttle. Then as the boat climbs on to plane you engage the ATC so it maintains the best running attitude as you are cruising. It's like cruise control in a car, you use the gas pedal to accelerate and then turn it on when you are up to speed.

The ATC will maintain the boat's attitude as weight shifts in the boat or your speed varies.

Let me know if you have any questions and I will be delighted to help.