Question on bennet trim tabs for Tabman

[sstaz]

My friend recently purchased a Baha 230 fisherman. The bow rises bad when getting on plane and has a fairly hard time going into waves larger than 2 to 3ft.

I was helping him winterize it and noticed his trim tabs seemed really small for the size of the boat and also (in my opinion) too far out on the transom. Attached is a picture of the port trim tab, what do you think of my observations? any feedback would be much appreciated.

 

[Tabman]

Re: Question on bennet trim tabs for Tabman

My friend recently purchased a Baha 230 fisherman. The bow rises bad when getting on plane and has a fairly hard time going into waves larger than 2 to 3ft.

I was helping him winterize it and noticed his trim tabs seemed really small for the size of the boat and also (in my opinion) too far out on the transom. Attached is a picture of the port trim tab, what do you think of my observations? any feedback would be much appreciated.

Sstaz,

You are correct in thinking that the Trim Tabs are undersized and that they are a little bit too far outboard. But I'd rather see Trim Tabs too far outboard versus too far inboard.

If this were my boat I would swap out the 12" x 9" Trim Tabs that are on it now with 12" x 12" Trim Tabs. That would give about a 30% increase in Trim Tab surface area and you would not have to move the actuator (ram) or the hinge plates. The 12" x 12" Trim Tabs would fit in the existing hinge plates and simply extend 3" further aft than the present Trim Tabs. They have an angle riveted to then the same distance out from the transom as the 12" x 9" tabs and changing them out is really easy. Your friend would need to purchase 2 each part number TPO1212. They would make a big difference in the bow rise and he would be able to hold the bow down at lower speeds when running into chop.

 

[sstaz]

Re: Question on bennet trim tabs for Tabman

Thank you Tom for the quick response. I will let him know what you said. I did not measure them, but believe they are smaller than 12" X 9". I will have him measure them tomorrow.
The movement of the rams was one of his concerns as the transom was just replaced and he did not want to put anymore holes in it.

Craig

 

[Tabman]

Re: Question on bennet trim tabs for Tabman

Thank you Tom for the quick response. I will let him know what you said. I did not measure them, but believe they are smaller than 12" X 9". I will have him measure them tomorrow.
The movement of the rams was one of his concerns as the transom was just replaced and he did not want to put anymore holes in it.

Craig

Craig,

The 12 x 9 will actually measure 12" span (side to side) x 8-5/8" chord (fore to aft). I'm pretty sure that is what he has after looking at the photos, but let me know what you find after he measures them.

 

[sstaz]

Re: Question on bennet trim tabs for Tabman

Thank you Tom, looks like you are right. I'll have him order up the 12x12's and we will see how they do in the spring.