Minn Kota Trim Tabs

[Jon]

I recently bought a flatback proline and it came with an almost new vmax. I imagine it is very quick, but with the winter winds and no tail in the water I'm not even touching full throttle. Ive seen the extended keels, not sure I want to look that direction given i need trim tabs anyways. Minn Kota has a composite line that was brought to my attention by Mahoneys in Tampa, becasuse they have built in skegs. They are minimal, not much more than a kayak skeg so im not sure it'll make much of a difference in the tailing of the boat, or if trim tabs will assist that issue at all. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Much appreciated.

[pete]

sorry jon what you are asking is not very clear,can you maybe explain better or copy a link to the probuct you are referring to

[Circle Hooked]

Jon are you worried about the boat fish tailing or chine walking at high speeds and looking at trim tabs to cure it

Maybe Tabman from Bennett will chime in.

[Tabman]

Jon,

I have seen the Minn Kota Trim Tabs you are referring to.  They do have small fins on the sides, I think they copied the design of our M80 and M120 Sport Tabs  

Here is what they look like:


The small downward facing fins are designed to capture water pressure that normally escapes out the sides of the Trim Tab and channel it aft to create additional lift.  This means you can have a slightly smaller Trim Tab that may be easier to fit on the transom.

The fins are not really there to help the boat track better.    

Is your boat "wandering" at low (non planing speeds) or is it not handling well at high speeds?  Sometimes if the boat is pulling to one side or the other at high speed the bow may be too far down and you may want to try trimming the power trim out a little bit.

I think Trim Tabs would be a great addition to your Flatback for a lot of other reasons, but of course I work for a company that makes them!

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

[flounderpounder225]

One Name for Trim Tabs: BENNETT, end of story.  Performance, Longevity, reliability, and most of all Customer Service.
Marc

[Circle Hooked]

One Name for Trim Tabs: BENNETT, end of story.  Performance, Longevity, reliability, and most of all Customer Service.
Marc

Well said i agree 100%.

[Capt Matt]

Nothing has worked better for me than Lennco trim tabs and no slow responding hydraulic pump to carry around until it breaks. The key to the tabs though is get the simple switch not the one with the module with it. Hydraulic pumps just do not last in any saltwater application either power pole motors, jack plate motors or tab motors. Lennco makes 12x12 tabs that have the fins on the sides.
Capt Matt

[John Jones]

I guess I'm the exception because I have Bennett tabs and the original Power Pole with the Bennett pump over 5 years old and they give zero issues.  They don't sound like a rock grinder like my buddy's 1 year old Lencos either.

[seabob4]

I guess I'm the exception because I have Bennett tabs and the original Power Pole with the Bennett pump over 5 years old and they give zero issues.  They don't sound like a rock grinder like my buddy's 1 year old Lencos either.

JJ,
I'll agree to a certain extent with you and the noise of the Lenco gears, especially during auto-retract when the engine is off...but they respond quickly to the switch, and their CS is as good as Bennett's (sorry Tom, you guys are awesome as well!)...

Lenco's are easier to rig, and don't have the aspect of HYD fluid in the bilge when it might come time to fill the reservoir.  On the other hand, their is less electronics involved with Bennetts, and they have been around forever basically using the same hardware...

IMHO, either way, you can't go wrong...

[Capt. Bob]

Hydraulic pumps just do not last in any saltwater application.
Capt Matt

Well I guess I'm the exception to the rule. My pump has been mounted under the center console for 15 years and is now being relocated to my 91 WAC.
I've never put a drop of trans fluid in the reservoir and they have never failed to perform.
Never owning Lenco tabs, I certainly can't compare performance but if a proper installation is done in a dry area then I can assure you, hydraulic pumps will work for a long time.

[Capt Matt]

On my 2000 actioncraft I have had 4 outboards and 4 trolling motors over the last 10yrs. That totals out to about 6000 running hours. My boat is my business  and I have learned its not worth having anything that does not have a good warranty. When things break it costs me lost trips and $. During the time I have owned the boat I have never had to replace a Lennco actuator. Sure I had to replace the trim tab switch about 4 years ago but thats it  You are right though they do sound loud.  Hyd pumps just do not last in a saltwater enviroment, over the last 5 years I'm on my 3rd powerpole hyd pump which they often refuse to warranty claiming its saltwater damage. The pump is mounted in a very dry spot on my boat but any salt air or moisture which is unavoidable just eats them up. I constantly keep it lubed up and sprayed down with corrosion X with no luck.
I am currently using a Minnkota Talon their new 12V shallow water anchor system on a boat I also take charters on. So far I like it, its faster and easier to use.  Installation is also a breeze. You only have to hit the button to activate the system and not hold it down like on a power pole and the best part about it is that it has no hyd pump. If it holds up for a few months thats what will be going on my flatback.  
My boat simply gets so many hours on it anything that is not bulletproof can break and will break. I have nothing against Bennet trim tabs and have used them on many a clients boat in the past its more the problems with the hyd pump it takes to run them.
Matt

[Capt. Bob]

CM,
Numbers can tell you anything they want if you look at them in the needed way.

In the last 14 years, I have a total of just over 840 operational hours on my boat. Not much really but it equates to:
About 60 operating hours a year, which averages to about 2.5 hrs. each trip for a total of 24 trips per year. These of course are just averages with some years more, some less. I have not been on the water in 14 months but I did not take that into account.

If you are averaging about 250 +/- trips a year, it would take me just under 10.5 years to replicate the same usage. With 15 years on my current pump, I would guess that a Bennett pump service life is about 1.5 years in your profession. While the Bennett warranty is 5 years, the failure, removal/replacement and down time affect your business totally different than my "fetish". That stated, it is very easy to see why you would want something very reliable since it makes the difference between paying the mortgage and (in my case) staying home and mowing the yard.

In the end though, through the numbers game, we are talking somewhat (if I didn't bend the figures too much) the same hourly usage rate, more or less. In your case, your pump sees a greater exposure to the crippling elements while mine sees lower cycling rates over the same yearly period. Of course I'm factoring in your failure rate loosely based on the "Power Pole" info you provide. Truthfully, I'm hoping that your experience with the Bennett pump is slightly longer than the Power Pole pump so I can at least expect a little longer life from my pump.

And isn't "just a little more time" all we really can hope (but not always get) for.

Good luck.