trim tabs

[eric owens]

I have a 2001 logic 21 with a 150 mercury. I am<br />looking into trim tabs but do not know much about<br />them. I hear there are electric and hydraulic.<br />can anyone help me with the pros and cons of each<br />plus there expected durability and upkeep costs.

 

[Boatist]

Re: trim tabs

Eric<br />I do not know any thing about the electric but I have the Bennet Hydrolic trim tabs on my boat. My boat is a 1980 21 foot Crestliner runabout. I installed them in 1981 and it is the best thing I have added to my boat. Ones I added are 24 inches wide on each side and 12 inches deep. Before trim tabs my boat would plane at about 20 miles per hour and drop off plane at about 18 mph. Now it will stay on plane down to down to 9 mph.<br />They really inproved the ride on choppy days. Also my boat before tabs would lean into the wind on windy days which made more spray on the up wind side so wind would blow it right in the boat. Now I adjust it flat and get a lot less spray. Offshore when sea are over about 4 or 5 feet and 8 sec apart I could not stay on plane as was just too rough at 20 miles per hour. Now Slow down but still able to stay up on plane and ride is much better.<br />Problems I have had: When I got system it came with a joy stick control and it got where it was kind of flakey, did not always work first time I hit it. I change over to a dual rocker switch and like it much better. I also put in a bigger main power wire up to my Helm to supply power. I have had no other problems.<br />Maintenance: I check the fluid level one time a year. Also did change fluid one time as just felt like should.<br />One thing I have noted is if loose your stearing but can lock engine straight can actualy steer with the trim tabs. I would not want to have to do it in heavy offshore swells.

 

[Bondo]

Re: trim tabs

hi,<br /> Ill second Everything Boatist said.... Very Well Spent Money.... <br />The one thing I'll add is, There is NOT a company in the World, that has Better customer service than Bennett..!!!! I bought a set on ebay... got them mounted,+ had a problem with the pump... posted on BoaterED.com forums, Tom from bennett gave me a run down on the tests required... when the pump tested Bad, he sent me a New one... No Charge.. Then I sent the Bad one back to Bennett for More testing to see Where They screwed it up... again... Bennett People are the BEST....

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: trim tabs

Hmmm. Where do I check the fluid level? Mine are Bennets, but I don't recall seeing a reservoir for fluid. Follow a tube?

 

[Tabman]

Re: trim tabs

Capt. Mike<br />Use any type of Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). Don't worry about the exact brand or type, it will all work, and can even be mixed. To add fluid, remove the lexan cover on the HPU, locate the "filler stack" in the left front corner of the reservoir. There is a round plug sealing the filler stack. Remove the plug and add fluid to the full line on the reservoir. Note: add fluid only with the trim tabs fully retracted (up). If your reservoir does not have a full line, add fluid so the fluid level is aprox. 1" below the top of the reservoir with the Trim Tabs fully retracted (up). Your Bennett Trim Tab system should not need refilling, for several seasons.<br /><br />Here is the layout for the system the reservoir is part #1.<br /><br />

<br /><br />I hope this helps. <br /><br />Tom McGow<br />Bennett Marine