Need a little advice....

[Island_Diver]

I have already paid for the dole fin and it is being put on already...I will see how it runs both with and without it. And let you guys know either way, i'll keep a log book of performance notes and fuel consumption. I was looking at the Bennet Sport trim tabs. Are these going to be a difficult thing to install or can I tackle it myself?

Also I was perusing the west marine site looking for a swim step with ladder. Can you all tell me the best manner to mount that bad boy so that it doesn't rip back through the transom and frustrate the **** outta me? If any of you can give me a rough step by step on this in an e-mail or on here that would be great. I asked the people at the dealer to put one on for me but they are hesitant because they have never worked with this type of hull before.

Thanks again for all of the help guys....

Mike

[Codfish]

Mike,

As far as installing trim tabs goes, you should be able to do that. It just requires you to be careful. Measure several times and drill once. If you decide to do the install, check out the pros and cons of the Bennett vs Lenco brands. Both work very well. The Bennett is hydraulic and the Lenco is electric. More of a personal preference thing for most of us.

When it comes to the swim step, I would take my time and be sure you do it right the first time. I did a kicker motor mount install that I know would hold a diver, even with his gear on, who climbed onboard. You may be able to get by with using "toggler" style bolt/nut combinations or you may want to use the same through the transom bolts I used for the motor mount. At least for the upper mounts above the water line. If you look in the Mods section of photos you can see what I did and get an idea of how the mount could be done. I know the swim step is different but the idea of getting the maximum strength against pull out is the same.

Hope this helps you. You may also want to see if you can locate a member named "Maui Don". He moved to Oahu this year and has a 210CC with the same kicker mount. I haven't noticed him posting anything recently but he may still be around.

And thank you for your service to our country.

codfish

[Putershark]

Flip side of the coin guys.... Trim Tabs are a very expensive way to generate a little stern lift "if" that is all you need? Now as far as drag goes IF you keep using as much engine trim (not needed) with the fin on as you did before, I can see where it could kill a knot or 2 of top end speed. Here again, any "lift" device creates drag... So I have to ask what are you trying to fix AND how much money are you willing to put towards fixing it?

If you have a running hull balance problem Port and Starboard or need to plow though some heavy seas, then tabs are the way to go... Here again, you can also shift some weight around (ballast) for some of that listing issue (P-Factor) if it is not all that great...

If you are just trying to generate some stern lift to help burn less fuel at cruising RPM then a Doel Fin (or better yet BMS plate) is a much more cost effective route to take... The fins I am not all that impressed with, is those huge string ray types and no, no fin is going to "give back" the 50 horse power of engine you wished you got, but it will help make up for some lost "time to plane" performance. Saying though that one is "always" better than the other, is not a correct assumption... More like "what are you trying to correct?" is

I had a Doel Fin on my old 210 and I have a BMS plate (much better design) on my 190 and both jump / jumped up on a plane much quicker and carve up the water even better...

Dave

[Island_Diver]

I decided against the dole fin. I called the dealership yesterday and told them not to install it. But as for the trim tabs I am likely going to see some rough seas in my triumph so I am going to spend the extra coin and mount them myself. I was thinking of the larger of the bennet sport tabs. I am going to be doing some offshore fishing out here and some inter island travel. And with a little over 45 miles to get me to Maui I am thinking that the trim tabs would be a good idea. If anything just for a little pice of mind to keep that bow where it needs to be. Thanks for everything guys. I am going to save a good amount of money deciding to do these mods myself. I have a good amount of technical know-how so I think that I am going to be able to tackle these myself. There is an open invite for any of you that want to come out here for some great diving or to teach me how to fish for those monster off-shore marlins. I had a buddy pull in an 800+ lb marlin about two months ago on a 15 foot open bow. THey simply lashed the fish to the side and towed it on home. That was a great sight to see. Come to think of it that would be another great use for the trim tabs...haha.

Thanks again for everything guys,
Mike

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

Hey i/d
i went with lenco electric tabs simply because i could run the power lines outside the boat and not have to drill holes thru the transom and not be concerned about hydraulic lines running thru both my back rear storage boxes..
no hard feelings tabman, bennett tabs are great and i want to thank you for all the support you provide the site and with the special design tabs for the triumphs. however, i chose to keep as few holes in the boat as possible and as clumsy and hard lucked as i am, those lines running thru the rear storage wouldnt have a chance to ever survive from being cut,pinched or boogered up somehow.
i think i have pics in my album that show those tabs installed with lines outside the hull. could not post any here cause the are too large for the 800x600 requirement
GGC