Bennett or Lenco Trim Tabs?

[billh1963]

I'm close to placing an order for my electronics and want to get the trim tabs while I'm at it. From what I've read, trim tabs are a good idea for boats of any size. Also, since I'll be "underpowered" with a 115 on my 19-6, I figure trim tabs would help me plane more quickly.


I've read pros and cons on the Bennett systems (hydraulic using ATF) and the Lenco (electric). Does anyone have any experience they would like to share on either system? How about sizing? Should you oversize or take the minimalist approach?

[John Jones]

Both are good tabs.  If you will do some searching for Tabman on www.floridasportsman.com or see the Bennett section on The Hull Truth board, I would have to say Bennett customer service wins hands down.  

Email this guy with your boat info and he will give you a recommendation as to tab size.  That's what I did and I am very pleased with my Bennetts.  It is like a totally different boat if you learn to use them properly.

Tmcgow@bennetttrimtabs.com

[billh1963]

Thanks, John.

I've heard similar stories about Bennett's great customer service. I like the idea of electric trim tabs for the speed they offer; however, customer service is more important in the long run.

[ddd222]

i agree with the customer service, but if i had to do it over again, i would go w/ lenco's, no big $3-400 hpu unit to replace

[Miguel]

I recently installed Bennett tabs on my 170.  I went with the M80 model.  I´m very happy with my decision, as I made a very extensive research before buying.  I can tell you that their customer service is equal to none.  They sent me a new set of longer hydraulic tubing for free because the stock ones were not long enough to reach the center console.  You will be dealing directly with Tom McGow (Tabman at THT).
There is only one thing which I´m not completely happy about.  I don´t know about the 19-6, but the 170's have an open transom, completely flat.  There is no compartment or motorwell abutted to the transom.  Therefore, the hydraulic lines enter the boat from the actuators thru a hole and then have to be bent 90 deg with the long radius tubing bend clips provided in order to be routed to the cable tray on the starboard side.  I really don´t like the way this looks, and it seems to me that the tubing sticking out of the transom is somewhat unprotected from sliding objects, which are common in a boat this size and specially in a confused sea.  I believe electrical wiring from Lenco would be a lot easier to hide and protect, as it can be easily bent as soon as it entres the transom.
Regarding noise, it is completely unnoticeable with the engine  noise.  They also respond very well.  There is no need for a tab that works at the speed of light.  IMO it is better to have a precise motion tab that a fast tab.

[John Jones]

I went to the hardware store and bought 1/8" pipe thread elbows for the thru transom nipples.  Made a cleaner installation since they are exposed on my boat too.

[RickK]

My PowerPole has a Bennet pump too and I ran the hoses close to the motor in the little notch-out so I wouldn't have to drill through the transom as they suggested.  The hoses are very safe this way.  

Unfortunately I have less room in the back now because of the pump .  Maybe someday I'll bite the bullet and move the fuel tank under the floor.

[billh1963]

Good feedback, everyone!

Anyone have any experience with the Nauticus "automatic" system?

[warthog5]

[RickK]

That's a nice, clean transition Wart,  converting to brass/ metal tubing.  Do you convert back to plastic on the outside?

[Miguel]

Wart:
I tought about doing that same thing.  At the end I chickened out because I didn´t want to use anything other than the stcok parts.  However, Tim from Bennett mentioned later on that it was a possibility.  It may be a retrofit in the future.  For now, I protected the tubing with a 4" PVC plug with a slit on the bottom and attached to the transmon with 3M 4200.
NOt very pretty, but it works.....

[warthog5]

Tabman sent me the fitting's. :)  So that's stright from Bennett.

Do you convert back to plastic on the outside?

On Bennett's "Most" of them do not have exposed tubing on the outside transom, unless there is some reason you need it. Then they have a adpter that you can get from them.

Those brass nipples just screw stright into the backside of the top of the ram.

If you hook the hose stright to the ram the hole thru the transom would need to be bigger than the hole in my boat for the nipple. This is due to the size of the nut on the tubing.

It also rig's easier the way I did it to me.

The tubing would have to be pushed thru the hole from the inside to the outside. Then you do the connection and fasten the ram head to the transom.

With the nipple you just have a short 3in nipple and screw it into the ram head, put a piece of tape over the other end and push it thru. Then fasten the ram bead to the transom.

The tape is to keep crap out of the nipple while pushing it thru the transom, then it is removed and all your connection's are on the inside.

But the biggest thing is the tubing doesn't have to have a loop/buldge sticking out from the inside of the transom and makes a cleaner install.