Trim tabs on 17 footer....

[Miguel]

News flash:
I ordered a set of Bennett M80´s for my 170.  They shall be down here by the end of the week.
I´ll try and post some pics after they´re installed and maybe some during the installation process.  I can´t wait to see the result........
After some exchange with Tom the Tabman from Bennett Marine on THT, I decided against the Lenco´s.  I´m sure they are a great product, but Bennett customer service is oustanding.

[JimCt]

Bennett, from everything I've read has an excellent reputation.  Be interesting to hear what performance changes you have with your 170.

[Miguel]

Installation of trim tabs will probably start tomorrow....
I also assembled a long list of other little things that require fixing.  I rente d aprking space in the building where I live to have the boat close for a month.  With a 3 month old kid it is hard to work on the boat, so having it at home will be a plus.
Some things that I may end up doing besides the tabs:
1.  Windshield may be replaced with a clear, uncracked one.
2.  Bilge pump wiring will be fixed and a spare one added.
3.  Trailer will be thoroughly checked and bearings repacked
4.  other 12 little things..............
I´´l try and post pics of all major work..

[JimCt]

Miguel,

 I forget, do you also have a foil on the motor?  If so, does that have to come off if when the tabs go on?  You bending your own new windscreen?

[Miguel]

Jim:
No foil on my motor, so It won´t be a problem.  I do have a swim platform which will require removal and some minor modifications to clear the cylinder.  I may have to relocate the fishfinder transducer too. I´ll see about all those thing when I get the boat home.  I´m trying to measure twice and only cut once.........
The windscreen will be locally bent in a plastics shop down here.  I´ve seen their work and it looks very professional. You just have to take the original one to use as a sample.  I´m thinking about going with the clear 3/8" material instead of the smoked 1/4" that the boat came with.  I like the one offered by UPD plastics, but shipping to Panama is very expensive on that size item.  My original windscreen is all fuzzy and cracked at some of the bolt locations, so I believe the thicker material may help in adding durability to the new one.

[JimCt]

3/8" is the way to go.  Have never seen the point of a smoked windscreen.  I'm never sitting when running the boat so cutting glare with the windscreen seems pointless.  

It's sun, Panamanian sun more so, that attacks windscreens.  Do you have a console cover or can you store the boat in the shade?

Don't forget the progress pictures!

[RickK]

I'm never sitting when running the boat so cutting glare with the windscreen seems pointless.

Jim, on the 240 maybe it's time to divert from factory and install a large windshield like is on mine.  That way when you're standing up, you've got a "windscreen".
Miquel, I agree - go with the 3/8 - as long as there is not mounting issues, which I doubt, it'll be a stronger screen.

[JimCt]

Rick, You are way, way ahead of me in the  forward-thinking dept...

Miguel, Taking the windscreen off my 170 was a bear; a 2 person job.  Screws & nuts were corroded so much we sheared most of them off.

[Miguel]

I think my windscreen will come out fairly easy, with only 5 bolts to remove.  The nuts are a hard to get to, but I´ll be having a friend over for help.  I´ve never seen the point of the smoked screen, because I depend on it more when its raining and I can stand behind it for cover.  The smoked tint is a PITA under such circumstances.....It does not help at all as a sunscreen, as you are already out on the sun anyway.  I prefer to wear sunglasses.
The trim tabs installation process is going smoothly so far.  The tabs are in place and I´ve already drilled the horrendously large  (7/8") hole for the hyd. line.  The manual said 3/4", but I decided to drill to 7/8" and give the inside of the hole an "epoxy liner".  If you ask around here who I am, you´ll get this response:  "It´s the guy over there with the gallon can of Marine TEX".  I use it for everything.  I just don´t think that leaving the hole with exposed wood is OK, even if you are latter filling it with 5200 or any other elastomeric sealant.
I´ll post pics of the whole process at the end.

[JimCt]

Marine-Tex is like WD-40.  Lots of uses and even more "off-label" uses.

[RickK]

The trim tabs installation process is going smoothly so far.  The tabs are in place and I´ve already drilled the horrendously large  (7/8") hole for the hyd. line.

When I installed the power-pole on my boat, it had a bennett h-pump for it too.  I didn't want to drill through the transom, so I routed the h-line over the transom to the pole.  They provided plastic guides to route over square edges and protect the tube.  The tube was pretty small though - maybe 3/8" OD.
Sounds like you're almost done.   8)  Where ya gonna mount the pump?  I didn't have much choice since my gas tank is under the console.

[Miguel]

RickK:
My pump will be installed under the console.  The Bennet M80 kit does not have enough tubing to reach in there, but Tom MCGow from Bennett is shipping the required length free of charge!!!!  That´s what I call customer service......I guess they assume most people will mount the pump close to the stern.

[Miguel]

First pic of a dry run i made to check if everything fit correclty.  
I´m still far from over.  Just got the new hydraulic tubing from bennett yesterday.  I have to say this 1000 times:  They have the best customer service.



Under the console pump installation has been a PITA, considerign that everything has to be doen from the little door if you are not willing to lift the console.
I´ll post more pics as time allows........

[Miguel]

Again......

[Miguel]

I must be very dumb.... Go see it for youselves at the gallery..... Just cut and paste the url..