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Author Topic:   Montauk/Trim Tabs

dogfish2 posted 02-09-2002 01:36 AM ET (US)
After a month a half of committments and foul weather, I finally had the opportunity to try the newlly mounted trim tabs on my Montauk and 90 hp, 4-stroke Merc. Boy, do the tabs make a big difference. Porpoising can be eliminated completely at the push of the switch, and performance is enhanced. Mounting of the tabs was a concern of mine, but "Tabman" guided me to proper mounting so that my orginal concerns were eased. If any of you have inclinations to add trim tabs, I would tell you to "go do it!".
Barnett Childress posted 02-09-2002 11:45 AM ET (US)
Dogfish2
Thats good news! I was looking at the small Bennett tournament sport tabs for my Montauk/Merc904S last fall before I had to put her up for the winter. I was hoping that the tabs would cure a list to port problem I have and allow me to eliminate porposing without having to keep the engine trimmed way in at WOT. I am planning to install tabs first thing in the spring. What model tabs did you go with and what length for the pistons? How did you run the hydraulic lines, over the transom? Where did you mount the resevoir? Do you have any pictures of your install? Any info or tips for the install would be greatly appreciated.
Barnett
David Ratusnik posted 02-09-2002 03:41 PM ET (US)
Barnett- You may want to call the customer service dept at Bennett Tabs to go over various tab options. They are knowledgeable about our boats and will spend time with you. Recently, I put on the larger sport tabs from Bennett on a 22' OR- couldn't be happier. Be carefull with the cylinder length that comes in the Bennett kit. Determine the length you need and specify to the folks at Bennett. I read that they will provide proper length for your application. David
Ferdinando posted 02-09-2002 10:42 PM ET (US)
Dogfish:
I alsohave a Montauk and would be interested in putting on trim tabs. Does your boat have a swim platform on the rear?? Could the tabs go on or do I have to remove it?
Make and model would be appreciated.
Thks,
Fred
dogfish2 posted 02-10-2002 12:49 AM ET (US)
Ferdinando,
I do not have a swim platform on my Montauk, and consequently, do not know where it would be located. The edge mount trim tabs, Bennett M-80, or Lenco 12"x9", would most likely work equally well, Bennett being hydraulic, and Lenco being electric. The hinged portion or the tabs screw into the glass assisted with 7200 adhesive and the top of the actuators screw into the wood-backed section of the transom. The unit appears to be quite solidly mounted as the pressure is on the actuators. The tabs really do make a difference! I think you will be pleased.
tabasco posted 02-11-2002 11:34 PM ET (US)
Dogfish- I would also like to see photos of your installation. Please send them to my email address captioned "Boston Whaler" so i don't throw it out with all the junk mail.
Barnett Childress posted 03-04-2002 05:39 PM ET (US)
Well, I finally got off the fence and ordered a set of tabs for the Montauk today. It was a tuff choice between the Lenco's and Bennett's but...I ended up ordering a set of Bennett BT810 tournament tabs. Cost was $375 from online marine. Main reason was size of the tabs, actuator and fit/location on transom where I want to mount them. BT810's are 8"x10". I also liked the tab design. Bennett sent me new upper hinges with fittings to run the hydraulic lines over the transom if I don't want to drill thru, for free.
I'll also have to cut a small notch out of the swim platform to clear the upper mount but no big deal. Example is shown on an Edgewater with swim platform on Bennett's web page. The pump is fairly small and I'll mount that up high in the console. The tournament tabs are identical to the sport tabs except they are black powder coated.
Install will have to wait a bit as boat is still in the back yard shrink wrapped.
Thanks to Dogfish, Dave R. for the help & info.
Barnett
dchapp posted 03-06-2002 07:47 AM ET (US)
Could you email some pictures of your install. I am close to that step of the process and would like to see yours.
Barnett Childress posted 03-06-2002 07:20 PM ET (US)
Sure. I can take some pics when done, but it will be a while before the shrink wrap comes off.
Barnett
dogfish2 posted 03-07-2002 11:12 PM ET (US)
dchapp:
Will try to send you pics of the trim tab mounting on the Montauk. Hope it will help. It took quite a while and assistance from the "tab" folks to finally determine mounting location, type, etc.
FISHNFF posted 03-22-2002 01:44 AM ET (US)
With help from Dogfish2, I mounted my Lenco 12x9E tabs on my 17 Alert/Montauk /Merc 90 4S and they work great. Installation took me a couple of hours, including relocating my bait pump. They are noisier than I expected, but are quick. The control switches cannot both be operated with one finger, as could be with Bennetts. I am in the process of making a switch holder to mount near the throttle. Had the boat out with three aboard, 17 gallon bait tank and Group 30 battery in stern. With a little trim (I still have the DoelFin tabs on) the boat accellerated with very, very little bow rise, and a little tab trim down eliminates porpoising when motor trim out without scrubbing off an execcesive amount of speed. The boat seems to run higher out of the water (more lift). I did not get max top speed readings, but saw 40 without optimal tweaking. Can't wait to get out and just run the boat out on the bay in a cross chop and rough conditions.
Swellmonster posted 03-24-2002 02:25 PM ET (US)
Bennett Tabs made a world of difference on my 20 o/r. A good thing to remember is to place a zinc anode on the top surface of each tab...

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Author	Topic: Montauk/Trim Tabs
dogfish2	posted 02-09-2002 01:36 AM ET (US) After a month a half of committments and foul weather, I finally had the opportunity to try the newlly mounted trim tabs on my Montauk and 90 hp, 4-stroke Merc. Boy, do the tabs make a big difference. Porpoising can be eliminated completely at the push of the switch, and performance is enhanced. Mounting of the tabs was a concern of mine, but "Tabman" guided me to proper mounting so that my orginal concerns were eased. If any of you have inclinations to add trim tabs, I would tell you to "go do it!".
Barnett Childress	posted 02-09-2002 11:45 AM ET (US) Dogfish2 Thats good news! I was looking at the small Bennett tournament sport tabs for my Montauk/Merc904S last fall before I had to put her up for the winter. I was hoping that the tabs would cure a list to port problem I have and allow me to eliminate porposing without having to keep the engine trimmed way in at WOT. I am planning to install tabs first thing in the spring. What model tabs did you go with and what length for the pistons? How did you run the hydraulic lines, over the transom? Where did you mount the resevoir? Do you have any pictures of your install? Any info or tips for the install would be greatly appreciated. Barnett
David Ratusnik	posted 02-09-2002 03:41 PM ET (US) Barnett- You may want to call the customer service dept at Bennett Tabs to go over various tab options. They are knowledgeable about our boats and will spend time with you. Recently, I put on the larger sport tabs from Bennett on a 22' OR- couldn't be happier. Be carefull with the cylinder length that comes in the Bennett kit. Determine the length you need and specify to the folks at Bennett. I read that they will provide proper length for your application. David
Ferdinando	posted 02-09-2002 10:42 PM ET (US) Dogfish: I alsohave a Montauk and would be interested in putting on trim tabs. Does your boat have a swim platform on the rear?? Could the tabs go on or do I have to remove it? Make and model would be appreciated. Thks, Fred
dogfish2	posted 02-10-2002 12:49 AM ET (US) Ferdinando, I do not have a swim platform on my Montauk, and consequently, do not know where it would be located. The edge mount trim tabs, Bennett M-80, or Lenco 12"x9", would most likely work equally well, Bennett being hydraulic, and Lenco being electric. The hinged portion or the tabs screw into the glass assisted with 7200 adhesive and the top of the actuators screw into the wood-backed section of the transom. The unit appears to be quite solidly mounted as the pressure is on the actuators. The tabs really do make a difference! I think you will be pleased.
tabasco	posted 02-11-2002 11:34 PM ET (US) Dogfish- I would also like to see photos of your installation. Please send them to my email address captioned "Boston Whaler" so i don't throw it out with all the junk mail.
Barnett Childress	posted 03-04-2002 05:39 PM ET (US) Well, I finally got off the fence and ordered a set of tabs for the Montauk today. It was a tuff choice between the Lenco's and Bennett's but...I ended up ordering a set of Bennett BT810 tournament tabs. Cost was $375 from online marine. Main reason was size of the tabs, actuator and fit/location on transom where I want to mount them. BT810's are 8"x10". I also liked the tab design. Bennett sent me new upper hinges with fittings to run the hydraulic lines over the transom if I don't want to drill thru, for free. I'll also have to cut a small notch out of the swim platform to clear the upper mount but no big deal. Example is shown on an Edgewater with swim platform on Bennett's web page. The pump is fairly small and I'll mount that up high in the console. The tournament tabs are identical to the sport tabs except they are black powder coated. Install will have to wait a bit as boat is still in the back yard shrink wrapped. Thanks to Dogfish, Dave R. for the help & info. Barnett
dchapp	posted 03-06-2002 07:47 AM ET (US) Could you email some pictures of your install. I am close to that step of the process and would like to see yours.
Barnett Childress	posted 03-06-2002 07:20 PM ET (US) Sure. I can take some pics when done, but it will be a while before the shrink wrap comes off. Barnett
dogfish2	posted 03-07-2002 11:12 PM ET (US) dchapp: Will try to send you pics of the trim tab mounting on the Montauk. Hope it will help. It took quite a while and assistance from the "tab" folks to finally determine mounting location, type, etc.
FISHNFF	posted 03-22-2002 01:44 AM ET (US) With help from Dogfish2, I mounted my Lenco 12x9E tabs on my 17 Alert/Montauk /Merc 90 4S and they work great. Installation took me a couple of hours, including relocating my bait pump. They are noisier than I expected, but are quick. The control switches cannot both be operated with one finger, as could be with Bennetts. I am in the process of making a switch holder to mount near the throttle. Had the boat out with three aboard, 17 gallon bait tank and Group 30 battery in stern. With a little trim (I still have the DoelFin tabs on) the boat accellerated with very, very little bow rise, and a little tab trim down eliminates porpoising when motor trim out without scrubbing off an execcesive amount of speed. The boat seems to run higher out of the water (more lift). I did not get max top speed readings, but saw 40 without optimal tweaking. Can't wait to get out and just run the boat out on the bay in a cross chop and rough conditions.
Swellmonster	posted 03-24-2002 02:25 PM ET (US) Bennett Tabs made a world of difference on my 20 o/r. A good thing to remember is to place a zinc anode on the top surface of each tab...