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Author Topic:   Trolling Tab sizes - Outrage 18

cwolf posted 03-08-2007 07:00 PM ET (US)
I've been seriously considering adding a set of Lenco's to my classic Outrage 18. I've read all the past posts but I'm still wondering if anybody had an opinion on what sizes might work best. It seems I have a choice between the 9X9, 9X12, 12X9 or 12X12 (Length X Hinge Width). I contacted Lenco and they recommended if I had room to go with the 12X12 but I wonder if this is overkill. I would also welcome input on Bennett sizes as well but I'll never be able to bring myself to drill two 3/4" holes in the transom. My primary concern is dealing 1'-2' chop as well as 3'-4'+ chop when fishing. Also was wondering if this will help with pulling skiers and tubes at low speed on a plane with a few people in the stern seat.
Buckda posted 03-08-2007 07:23 PM ET (US)
First of all, they're TRIM tabs. I have a pair of Lenco 12x12ENS edge mount tabs on my 18 and it is probably overkill, but I sure am happy with them.
Dave
runpasthefence posted 03-08-2007 09:08 PM ET (US)
Trolling tabs, or "Troll'n Tabs"
http://www.lencomarine.com/trollingmotorswi.html
cwolf posted 03-08-2007 09:23 PM ET (US)
Whoops...can't belive I wrote that. Yes, Trim Tabs but you can read into what I wish I could afford :)
Buckda posted 03-09-2007 03:13 PM ET (US)
Didn't mean to be obtuse or offensive, although I was grumpy (at United Airlines) when I posted that from my Blackberry yesterday.
I avoided Bennett's not because of any perceived problems with that brand. In fact, Bennett tabs are probably one of the premier brands in trim tabs. My concern was similar to yours - on an 18' Outrage, where do you put the hydraulic pump - and who want's to drill yet another hole in the transom?!
If the boat comes rigged with Bennett tabs, I'm all for them - and if you have a stern locker space to put the pump, well, I'm all for them. The Lenco setup offers some flexibility and convenience on a boat like the 18 because it does not need the pump - that was a big deal when I was selecting tabs.
If you want the tabs with the trolling motors mounted to them, I'd go for it - although I don't see much benefit over having a kicker motor for trolling - in fact, that seems like a big electrical drain on the battery(ies) which you may need to fire the main motor. Something to think about there.
I have never seen the trolling motor/tab combo in person on any boat, so I can't comment on performance, battery use or adviseability of using them (are the motor units easy to replace if necessary without removing the whole trim tab?).
Good luck!
Dave
cwolf posted 03-09-2007 08:14 PM ET (US)
No offense taken Dave. My question was really about soliciting comments regarding the size of the trim tab. I think you answered it as if I recall correctly you have a pair of outboards (i.e. more weight) on your transom? If so, and you think 12X12 is overkill then that certainly carries weight (no pun intended) with me and my single Yamaha F150.
cwolf posted 03-09-2007 09:01 PM ET (US)
Hoping Jim might correct the subject header to "Trim Tab Size" but in the meantime this is what I've learned regarding size.
Length X Hinge Width
Length of Tab (9" vs. 12") – This seems to be correlated with speed of the boat. The 12" version decreased drag and increases speed and is generally more appropriate for faster boats (50+ mph) Question I have now is whether a 12" length will provide any significant advantage in heavier seas and/or wind chop.
Hinge Width (9" and up) - This seems to be correlated with weight of boat. The longer the hinge width the better the tab can respond effectively to heavier and slower boats.
So I'm now thinking that a 9" Length X 12 Hinge Width would work well for a loaded down classic Outrage 18 (i.e. stern seat full of people, bait well, trolling batteries, etc.) that won’t go faster then 46 mph on a good day. Any thoughts

towboater posted 03-09-2007 09:21 PM ET (US)
Beware, Mr Grumpy Air Buckda is sporting 180 hp worth of twins mounted on jackplates on his 18 ft rear end.
You should check out his install in ref.
On fear of drilling holes in the transom, some rams are fed directly by hose that can be any length (hydraulic fluid does not compress) and thus could easily run along the same path (same principal) as hydraulic steering from a helm mounted pump & then routed OVER the transom.
Does your transducer have a wire routed over the back of the transom or does it go thru hull?
I am no trim tab BW expert, but have references for many hydraulic adaptations on other boats.
Sharp corners & metal things beneath the waterline scare me more than drilling holes into unsinkable glass boats. Maybe a 4 blade wheel and stabilizing fin would give you more control of your trim, probably half the cost?
cwolf posted 03-11-2007 12:27 PM ET (US)
Towboater, Thanks for the tip. I now see that Bennett does offer external fittings that could be run over the transom. I really like the design of the M-80 and M-120's. Guess it's back to the drawing board.
kamie posted 03-11-2007 05:35 PM ET (US)
I went with the same 12x12 edge mount Lenco's as Dave. I plan on installing them in the next week or so depending on how removing the bottom paint goes. While Dave has twins at 320 pounds each, a large single such as your Yahama and a stern seat (around 100 pounds easy) leaves you only 100 pounds lighter than Dave, this does not include anyone sitting on the stern seat. Personally,if I were you I would go with the largest tabs that will fit, either the Lenco 12x12 or the Bennett M-120.
If your casually thinking about the tabs, and not rushing into it, I will post my results when I install mine and get the boat in the water this spring.

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Author	Topic: Trolling Tab sizes - Outrage 18
cwolf	posted 03-08-2007 07:00 PM ET (US) I've been seriously considering adding a set of Lenco's to my classic Outrage 18. I've read all the past posts but I'm still wondering if anybody had an opinion on what sizes might work best. It seems I have a choice between the 9X9, 9X12, 12X9 or 12X12 (Length X Hinge Width). I contacted Lenco and they recommended if I had room to go with the 12X12 but I wonder if this is overkill. I would also welcome input on Bennett sizes as well but I'll never be able to bring myself to drill two 3/4" holes in the transom. My primary concern is dealing 1'-2' chop as well as 3'-4'+ chop when fishing. Also was wondering if this will help with pulling skiers and tubes at low speed on a plane with a few people in the stern seat.
Buckda	posted 03-08-2007 07:23 PM ET (US) First of all, they're TRIM tabs. I have a pair of Lenco 12x12ENS edge mount tabs on my 18 and it is probably overkill, but I sure am happy with them. Dave
runpasthefence	posted 03-08-2007 09:08 PM ET (US) Trolling tabs, or "Troll'n Tabs" http://www.lencomarine.com/trollingmotorswi.html
cwolf	posted 03-08-2007 09:23 PM ET (US) Whoops...can't belive I wrote that. Yes, Trim Tabs but you can read into what I wish I could afford :)
Buckda	posted 03-09-2007 03:13 PM ET (US) Didn't mean to be obtuse or offensive, although I was grumpy (at United Airlines) when I posted that from my Blackberry yesterday. I avoided Bennett's not because of any perceived problems with that brand. In fact, Bennett tabs are probably one of the premier brands in trim tabs. My concern was similar to yours - on an 18' Outrage, where do you put the hydraulic pump - and who want's to drill yet another hole in the transom?! If the boat comes rigged with Bennett tabs, I'm all for them - and if you have a stern locker space to put the pump, well, I'm all for them. The Lenco setup offers some flexibility and convenience on a boat like the 18 because it does not need the pump - that was a big deal when I was selecting tabs. If you want the tabs with the trolling motors mounted to them, I'd go for it - although I don't see much benefit over having a kicker motor for trolling - in fact, that seems like a big electrical drain on the battery(ies) which you may need to fire the main motor. Something to think about there. I have never seen the trolling motor/tab combo in person on any boat, so I can't comment on performance, battery use or adviseability of using them (are the motor units easy to replace if necessary without removing the whole trim tab?). Good luck! Dave
cwolf	posted 03-09-2007 08:14 PM ET (US) No offense taken Dave. My question was really about soliciting comments regarding the size of the trim tab. I think you answered it as if I recall correctly you have a pair of outboards (i.e. more weight) on your transom? If so, and you think 12X12 is overkill then that certainly carries weight (no pun intended) with me and my single Yamaha F150.
cwolf	posted 03-09-2007 09:01 PM ET (US) Hoping Jim might correct the subject header to "Trim Tab Size" but in the meantime this is what I've learned regarding size. Length X Hinge Width Length of Tab (9" vs. 12") – This seems to be correlated with speed of the boat. The 12" version decreased drag and increases speed and is generally more appropriate for faster boats (50+ mph) Question I have now is whether a 12" length will provide any significant advantage in heavier seas and/or wind chop. Hinge Width (9" and up) - This seems to be correlated with weight of boat. The longer the hinge width the better the tab can respond effectively to heavier and slower boats. So I'm now thinking that a 9" Length X 12 Hinge Width would work well for a loaded down classic Outrage 18 (i.e. stern seat full of people, bait well, trolling batteries, etc.) that won’t go faster then 46 mph on a good day. Any thoughts
towboater	posted 03-09-2007 09:21 PM ET (US) Beware, Mr Grumpy Air Buckda is sporting 180 hp worth of twins mounted on jackplates on his 18 ft rear end. You should check out his install in ref. On fear of drilling holes in the transom, some rams are fed directly by hose that can be any length (hydraulic fluid does not compress) and thus could easily run along the same path (same principal) as hydraulic steering from a helm mounted pump & then routed OVER the transom. Does your transducer have a wire routed over the back of the transom or does it go thru hull? I am no trim tab BW expert, but have references for many hydraulic adaptations on other boats. Sharp corners & metal things beneath the waterline scare me more than drilling holes into unsinkable glass boats. Maybe a 4 blade wheel and stabilizing fin would give you more control of your trim, probably half the cost?
cwolf	posted 03-11-2007 12:27 PM ET (US) Towboater, Thanks for the tip. I now see that Bennett does offer external fittings that could be run over the transom. I really like the design of the M-80 and M-120's. Guess it's back to the drawing board.
kamie	posted 03-11-2007 05:35 PM ET (US) I went with the same 12x12 edge mount Lenco's as Dave. I plan on installing them in the next week or so depending on how removing the bottom paint goes. While Dave has twins at 320 pounds each, a large single such as your Yahama and a stern seat (around 100 pounds easy) leaves you only 100 pounds lighter than Dave, this does not include anyone sitting on the stern seat. Personally,if I were you I would go with the largest tabs that will fit, either the Lenco 12x12 or the Bennett M-120. If your casually thinking about the tabs, and not rushing into it, I will post my results when I install mine and get the boat in the water this spring.