Replacing Hydraulic trim tabs(non functional) with Smart tabs

[JaseBosto]

I picked up my boat about 2 months ago. Been going through it bow to stern. Everything is up and going now, but the hydraulic trim tabs didn't work. Come to find out, the idiot previous owner filled the reservoir with water....yep. right to the top. I tried to convince myself that maybe the actuators leaked but I can't see how that much water would get into the reservoir. With that said, the pump was frozen. I freed it up but it still won't work properly. One tab would go down but not back up, then the other would only go partially down and not up either.
End of story, Im not going to mess with junk anymore. With the water in there, the inside of the pump is probably all rust. I purchased composite smart tabs from West Marine. Anyone have any experience with composite smart tabs? Do they help balance the boat out while on plane, or do they mainly help get you on plane and stop porpoising?

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: Replacing Hydraulic trim tabs(non functional) with Smart tabs

bump

 

[Tabman]

Re: Replacing Hydraulic trim tabs(non functional) with Smart tabs

Just out of curiosity, what brand of hydraulic Trim Tabs are they? If they are Bennett I may be able to help you get them working properly at little or no cost.

EDIT, Never mind I see you already purchased Smart Tabs!

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: Replacing Hydraulic trim tabs(non functional) with Smart tabs

Yea I already purchased them. The ones I got, are rated up to a 22' boat. My boat being 22' is about as big as I can go with these. In hind site, I wouldve gotten the smart tab II's rated up to 25' but oh well. I don't know what brand the trim tabs were, no labeling on them at all. I'm pretty mechanical, I took the pump apart and it was rough. Even if it worked for now, I doubt it wouldve been reliable.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Replacing Hydraulic trim tabs(non functional) with Smart tabs

Same here: too late for advice you've bought the smart tabs.

But if you hadn't....

First we always need to know what boat you are talking about. ironically, the word "boat" has no meaning here.

Second, on larger boats (say > 20') many of us are smarter than Smart Tabs and prefer to be able to control the tabs and what they do to the boat. I have electric Lenco's than came on my 21' and I like them, although if I were buying them myself I might rethink the electrical system sitting all day every day in salt water.

i personally do not think tabs are necessary on boats under 17', at least not lightweight boats. Sure, they can be "nice to have" but they are an expense, and can get in the way.

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: Replacing Hydraulic trim tabs(non functional) with Smart tabs

Same here: too late for advice you've bought the smart tabs.

But if you hadn't....

First we always need to know what boat you are talking about. ironically, the word "boat" has no meaning here.

Second, on larger boats (say > 20') many of us are smarter than Smart Tabs and prefer to be able to control the tabs and what they do to the boat. I have electric Lenco's than came on my 21' and I like them, although if I were buying them myself I might rethink the electrical system sitting all day every day in salt water.

i personally do not think tabs are necessary on boats under 17', at least not lightweight boats. Sure, they can be "nice to have" but they are an expense, and can get in the way.

The boat is in my sig.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Replacing Hydraulic trim tabs(non functional) with Smart tabs

The boat is in my sig.

can't tell what it is.

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: Replacing Hydraulic trim tabs(non functional) with Smart tabs

The Larson Hampton 220 sport cruiser is 22' cruiser with a 8.5' beam. She weighs in at 3300lbs dry.