Trim Tabs - Problem- 170 Please Help

[HollyAqua]

Hello to all Aquasport fans.

I need help installing Bennett Trim Tabs on a Aquasport 170, 1988 (striper).

I finally got some extra money to buy Bennett Trim Tabs. Really looking forward to trying boat with them.

I just came across a problem where I don’t know if the actuator connection will be below deck. I’m trying to run the hydraulic tubing below the floor/deck and having the tubing come up under the Center counsel where the hydraulic pump will be at.

I have gone ahead and removed the ½"  plastic spacer inside auctuator.

Does anyone have any idea, what I can do, so cable runs under deck.

Thank you, so much for your help

Holyaqua


Tab Information:

Trim Tabs Size: 12” wide x 8” long
Actuators Size: Black 3 rings

[Tabman]

Holly,

Quick question, was this a stock kit?  

The standard actuator that comes with a Trim Tab that size has 4 raised rings on the cylinder body and is 13-3/4" overall.  When the spacer inside is removed it would be about 12-3/4".  The short actuator we make has three raised rings on the cylinder body and is 11-3/4" over all and about 10-3/4" if you remove the spacer.

Normally the larger actuator is supplied an a 12 x 9 kit.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

[HollyAqua]

Thank you, tab man for your quick reply.

I had to buy everything litle by little as I got the money brand new. Its taken me some time to get all the parts together. Im sure in the long run it was more expensive. But when you dont have the money, what can you do. The only thing that is not new is the tabs. Everything else is brand new.


Actuators - new
Hydraulic Pump - new
Euro stitch - new
Tubing - new
4 color long cable - new
All brass fittings - new

I can, t believe I ran into this problem after so long wanting to get the trim tabs.

Regards
Hollyaqua

[Tabman]

OK, Holly,

Can you tell me if the actuators have three or four raised rings?

Tom
Bennett Marine

[HollyAqua]

The actuators have 3 rings.

They are relatively small to what I have seen on other boats. Given that my boat is only 17 feet . That is the main reason I bought that small ones. Thinking that it was going to work on my boat. I,m now pretty sadden by this issue.

Thank you for all your help and Edvice. I know Bennett trim tabs have great customer service and it's shows.


Regards
Hollyaqua

[Tabman]

Holly,

If they have three rings and you took the spacer out, you have the shortest possible actuators, they will mount lower on the transom than any other brand.  Have you tried holding them up to the boat to make sure they will not be below the floor?

On my Aquasport 20 I had to run the hydraulic lines into the splashwell since there was no way to get them any lower.  I ran the hydraulic lines into the boot on the side that covered the engine controls and ran them up to the console that way.

Do you have a picture of your boat's transom you could post and mark where the floor is?

Also where are you loacted?

Tom
Bennett Marine

[Miguel]

Short answer.  The actuator connection will not be below the deck.  I installed a set of Bennet M-80's, and you have to bring the tubing from below deck to the top of the actuator, through the transom.  It is a bit unsightly, but I guess it is the only way to go.
What I can say is that you wil forget about it once you experience the difference in handling and rough water running of your boat.  It will feel like a bigger boat.  Before tabs, I was unable to bury the nose to cut through the chop.  The boat is just too STERN heavy with a 115 HP on the back.  Now I can do it, as well as stay on plane at slower speed.  They are the best addition you can put in a 170/175.

[seabob4]

Short answer.  The actuator connection will not be below the deck.  I installed a set of Bennet M-80's, and you have to bring the tubing from below deck to the top of the actuator, through the transom.  It is a bit unsightly, but I guess it is the only way to go.
What I can say is that you wil forget about it once you experience the difference in handling and rough water running of your boat.  It will feel like a bigger boat.  Before tabs, I was unable to bury the nose to cut through the chop.  The boat is just too nose heavy with a 115 HP on the back.  Now I can do it, as well as stay on plane at slower speed.  They are the best addition you can put in a 170/175.

Stern heavy, Miguel, stern heavy...

[Tabman]

Short answer.  The actuator connection will not be below the deck.  I installed a set of Bennet M-80's, and you have to bring the tubing from below deck to the top of the actuator, through the transom.  It is a bit unsightly, but I guess it is the only way to go.
What I can say is that you wil forget about it once you experience the difference in handling and rough water running of your boat.  It will feel like a bigger boat.  Before tabs, I was unable to bury the nose to cut through the chop.  The boat is just stern heavy with a 115 HP on the back.  Now I can do it, as well as stay on plane at slower speed.  They are the best addition you can put in a 170/175.

There, I fixed it for you  8)

That is exactly what I did on my 20 ft WA.

Tom
Bennett Marine

[HollyAqua]

Thank you so much.... Miguel

By any chance do you have a picture of your transom.

The picture will really help me out.

Tom...
Do you have you have a picture of your set up on your aquasport.

Like I said it's will really help me out.

Wow...I feel better now......cant waite.

Thank you...both of you.

Regards
Hollyaqua

[RickK]

http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/179 - use the page numbers at the bottom to change pages.

[Tabman]

I'm sorry, but my pictures got lost in an old computer and I sold the boat a while back.

Tom

[HollyAqua]

Miguel

Thank you, so much for pictures.

I was not able to find a picture looking from inside of boat, to the transom so I can see how you went about installing the tubing for the trim tabs.

My boat is just like yours. Gray and white hull color.

I will also be using Mercury 115hp (6 cylinders inline - Tower of Power - 1985/86)

What country is the sub from?

Your little girl is just like you 100%. congratulation. I'm sure she,ll be good Capt. Some day. Just keep taking her out on the boat. Kids now a day are too busy with video games computers. Boating great family time.


Tom

Sorry to hear you don't have pictures.

How did you like your Aquasport. I'm considering to move to a little bigger boat maybe a 19ft. Or 20 ft. Aquasport, Mako, or Sea Craft. The older ones new boats are way too expensive.

What do you think would be better mako or sea craft

[Tabman]

Holly Aqua,

I loved my Aquasport.  It was a 20ft Walkaround, at the time I had two young daughters and the cuddy was perfect for them to change into bathing suites and get out of the sun or rain. We used it a lot, trailed it from Florida to Connecticut!  In fact my old neighbor bought it and is still enjoying it with his two young daughters!  I even stretched in the cabin and took a nap a few times (once while the boat was in the driveway at home where nobody could find me )

I was a very good "investment" for a boat, I got it at a good price and had to do very little to it, I did replace the fuel tank and of course added Trim Tabs.  I have owned a few boats and the Aquasport got my family on the water safely and reliably every time.

I like Makos very much, my father had a 22 in the Keys for years when I was in my twenties and we rode that boat hard!

Older Seacrafts (Potter built) are also a favorite of mine, but I have never owned one.  They have a great reputation and I think some of the best lines ever on boats that size.

Which boat is best?  That's easy, the one you can afford and like! If you are willing to put a little work into one of the classics you can end up with a great boat.

There are times I wish I still had my Aquasport!

Tom

[Miguel]

Short answer.  The actuator connection will not be below the deck.  I installed a set of Bennet M-80's, and you have to bring the tubing from below deck to the top of the actuator, through the transom.  It is a bit unsightly, but I guess it is the only way to go.
What I can say is that you wil forget about it once you experience the difference in handling and rough water running of your boat.  It will feel like a bigger boat.  Before tabs, I was unable to bury the nose to cut through the chop.  The boat is just too STERN heavy with a 115 HP on the back.  Now I can do it, as well as stay on plane at slower speed.  They are the best addition you can put in a 170/175.

There.... fixed.  Rough crowd.
The sub is french if I recall correctly.  That was a couple of years ago.  We've seen all sorts as they sail through the Panama canal.
I don´t have a pic that shows the inside, but I´ll try and get one.  It is not the neatest installation, but I know that I coulddo a lot to hide it from view.  I just don't have the time anymore.