Bennett Sport Tabs

[Curious]

Started to install my Bennett M120's last night.  Everything is going great so far.

Couple of questions for Tabman and Seabob:  

Where the hydraulic hose comes through the transom inside the 3/4" hole, do you seal that up somehow on the inside of the transom?  I understand that the outside gets a bead of sealant around the top of the actuator where it mounts to the back of the transom but there is no info on how to seal the 3/4" hole on the inside of the transom.  

Also, with regard to routing the hoses from where they come out of the transom to the pump, do most installations have them exposed or do they drill a small hole and get the hose through the deck or a bulkhead and run them under the deck/behind bulkheads?  It doesn't seem right to me that the hose will come out of that 3/4" hole and then remain exposed.  I've tried to look at photos on here but there aren't a lot that show the inside of the transom where the hoses come through.

Anyone else feel free to chime in!  I'll get some pics and start a thread on my tab install when I have a minute.  
Thanks, Dan

[Capt. Bob]

I'm not sure I understand your question only because I can't visualize your install so......

Where the nipple comes through the transom, I used 5200 to seal both sides of the hole. I don't remember the hole being 3/4" in diameter though.

As far as exposed hose, in my install, the hoses were below deck and nothing is exposed.

Pics will indeed help.

Good luck.

[RickK]

Started to install my Bennett M120's last night.  Everything is going great so far.

Couple of questions for Tabman and Seabob:  

Where the hydraulic hose comes through the transom inside the 3/4" hole, do you seal that up somehow on the inside of the transom?  I understand that the outside gets a bead of sealant around the top of the actuator where it mounts to the back of the transom but there is no info on how to seal the 3/4" hole on the inside of the transom.  

Also, with regard to routing the hoses from where they come out of the transom to the pump, do most installations have them exposed or do they drill a small hole and get the hose through the deck or a bulkhead and run them under the deck/behind bulkheads?  It doesn't seem right to me that the hose will come out of that 3/4" hole and then remain exposed.  I've tried to look at photos on here but there aren't a lot that show the inside of the transom where the hoses come through.

Anyone else feel free to chime in! I'll get some pics and start a thread on my tab install when I have a minute.  
Thanks, Dan

Looks like you just started one  

[Curious]

Well I guess I did!

Here's the installation instructions that shows the 3/4" hole in the center of the top of the actuator:

http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/pdf/inst ... ctions.pdf

[Curious]

As far as exposed hose, in my install, the hoses were below deck and nothing is exposed.

My hose comes out of the inside transom well above the deck.  I have the modified V and there is very little underdeck space as compared to similar year deep V's.  I can just envision someone stepping on the hose, an errant cast hooking onto it or something.  I once watched a friend of mine hoist a baby mako onto the deck of the boat.  We all froze and stared at it for a second and then it went ballistic, finally clamping down on the gas line......  I would prefer that to not happen to my new sport tab hoses!

[Aswaff400]

when i installed the tabs on my osprey, i drilled a pilot hole that was the diameter of the hose, then drilled the 3/4" hole just deep enough to fit the fitting on the actuator. after installing the actuator, i put a bead of 5200 around the seam for the hose.

[Curious]

I was afraid of that.  I drilled the effin 3/4" hole all the way through.  Now I have to figure out how to seal it.  I already smeared 5200 around the inside to seal my precious Nida Core!  They say you can always drill a hole bigger, but you can't make a big one smaller.....  Anyways, here's what I'm talking about, (specifically in the third pic):

[slvrlng]

You could mix some cabosil with epoxy and tape on the inside, then fill hole from the outside. Let this cure and then redrill like Aaron said he did.

[RickK]

Use "fast" epoxy (if you can) and mix it thick - really thick with cabosil, as thick as crunchy peanut butter. You can use medium or slow epoxy but it will migrate to a different place if you don't watch it. Maybe tape both sides after pushing the mix in.

[Curious]

Thanks guys.  So where the hose will come through the inside of the transom I then have get it to curve 90 degrees down to get it to go under the deck.  I'd rather keep the exposed distance as short as possible.  Has anyone else run into this problem of the hoses being exposed?  I'm just worried about environmental exposure and accidental damage.

[Tabman]

Thanks guys.  So where the hose will come through the inside of the transom I then have get it to curve 90 degrees down to get it to go under the deck.  I'd rather keep the exposed distance as short as possible.  Has anyone else run into this problem of the hoses being exposed?  I'm just worried about environmental exposure and accidental damage.

In this sort of setup I like to use a pipe nipple to com through the transom, and have a 90 degree elbow on the inside to make a nice sharp turn.

If you tell me what length pipe nipples you need I will be delighted to send you them and the elbows, no charge.

My old AquaSport 20 ft WA was set up exactly that way with the exposed tubing in the well.  The installation is about 10 years old now and exposed in South Florida without a cover.  And the last time I heard from the current owner, everything is fine.

Tom
Bennett Marine

[Curious]

Awesome!  Thanks for the info and the offer, I'll PM you with my info.  So a couple more questions then:

The thickness of the transom at the 3/4" holes is 2 1/4".  Are you talking about using a brass nipple?

Do I used teflon tape on the threads when attaching the nipple or is it a compression fitting?

When it comes out of the 90 and down along the inside of the transom, I then have to decide where to drill a hole and get it below deck.  Do you recommend that I use brass nipple and 90's to do this or just run the hose out of the 90?  If you look at the 3rd pic, I am thinking of running it into the top inner edge of the well in order to get it below the deck but that would require another 90.  I guess what I'm asking is in this particular case, how do you recommend that I get under the deck after the 90 comes through the inside transom?  (You are the professional and I am just playing make believe so I appreciate your patience!)
Thanks again

[Capt. Bob]

Ah ha. The Sport series must be slightly different than the "standard", That explains the bigger hole.

My template called for a 1/2" hole and I probably could have gone a step down from there but....

In any case, my actuators are flat on the backside. Yours must have that 3/4" protrusion to account for?


 

The nipple on my actuator mics slightly under 1/2" OD and I have the extended length (would think they are between 3" maybe 4" but I can't recall) supplied by Bennett in 1996. My rigging was below deck in my CCP and also in my WAC.

The hose supplied by Bennett is not unlike (to my eye and in speaking with both Bennett and Teleflex) that's used on my hydraulic steering. The section between the motor cowling and where it enters the side of the well (along with the motor controls) has been exposed to Mother Nature since 1991 and appears in fair shape. No leaks, kinks, breaks. I do know there are members that don't care for the stuff and I was leery about it when I first bought the boat. However, like TM stated on his old Aqua, the hose is pretty damn tough and I don't think you would need to worry about the elements (or occasionally impacting the hose) damaging it.

As to the nipple threads.
On the actuator connection, I went dry and didn't over-tighten. Hand tight then a couple of spins with some form of wrench. On the threads leaving the nipple, I used Teflon tape for the brass 90 elbow. The hose to elbow connection is a compression ?(ferrule) fitting and I installed that dry also. Same with the connections at the pump.

I've experienced no leaks but if in doubt, a thread sealant could be used (belt and suspenders).

By the way, where did you (or are going to) mount the hydraulic pump.

Good luck.

[Tabman]

The Sport Tab series uses short fittings instead of pipe nipples and they are a little larger diameter that the nipples that are used in the "standard" series.




On my boat I simply turned the tubing 90 degrees horizontal with the elbows and ran the tubing along with the throttle, shift and steering cable into the boot on the side of the well and up forward.  My pump was mounted under the console.

Yes brass pipe nipples and elbows. 3" nipples are standard, but we have them in 1/2" increments up to 6".  Teflon tape is used where the elbow threads on to the nipple.  No tape is used where the nipple threads into the actuator.  It is tightened two turns past finger tight.

Tom
Bennett Marine

[Curious]

Thanks guys.  Good to hear about the durability of the hose, I just wasn't sure.  Regarding the actuator and fittings, they looks the same as yours Bob:



Funny you should ask about the pump location.  I thought I had that all figured out but now I don't know.  Initially I thought I could add an access plate  and mount it here:



But it's too narrow and the pump is a little bigger than I thought.  I thought of a couple of other spots like in the bilge on the rear of the gas tank coffin but there isn't enough room height-wise:



Thought about a couple of other spots but nothing is panning out yet.  I assume it wants to be close to the transom?  Besides, the kit only came with 8' of hose per side and about 15' of wiring harness so that also limits the location.  Any other thoughts?