Replacing trim tabs with larger ones - 290 AJ

[Texas AJ]

I'm considering replacing the trim tabs on my 2005 290 AJ. I can feel almost no effect with the current ones.
Does anyone know someone that have replaced the factory ones or have thoughts about doing this?

 

[Dave M.]

I have thought about putting larger ones on my 270, but I suppose it really does not need it.

If you are thinking about using Bennett tabs again, you may get some good input from 'tabman', their representative. I don't know if he is currently monitoring the board, but he does give exceptionally good customer service.

If he does not pop up here, you could email him, He is Tom McGow known as tmcgow 'at' bennetttrimtabs_dot_com.

 

[Sea Ray 300]

Sounds like something is amiss concerning your tabs, as they are usually sized correctly for any given boat.
Are you sure they are working?
I second contacting Bennett, as having dealt with them 15 years ago, when I installed tabs on my 22, they are a super company to deal with.
Go to this link, and you will see a post by "tabman"...
http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=10631&highlight=#10631

 

[Dave M.]

Steve,

That is a great link, I missed it the first time around. It shows what a great company Bennett is too work with, and what you can expect from Tom. Just outstanding!

Good idea to check that they really are working as expected. When I installed the trim indicator on my boat, I found out they were not, at least after the installation. Now they do. Since I'm headed OTH and have CRS, I forget the details of the problem other than the port side operated more slowly than the starboard side. That problem seems to have gone away with use, so maybe I just got some trapped air that bled out.

Dave

 

[Amberjack01]

Texas AJ,

Is your boat an I/O or inboard? Mine is an I/O, so between drive trim and tabs I can usually get it dialed in OK. Of course with inboards.....

 

[Tabman]

Texas AJ,

On some Sea Rays increasing the size of the Tab can really pay off. I would be delighted to see what I can do to help. I would like to get the size of the Tabs that are on your AJ (Sea Ray does not tell us what size and shape they use on a specific boat), and if possible a photo of the Tabs on the boat now to see what the best way to consider putting on larger Tabs would be.

Thanks for all the kind words guys! They mean a lot to us!

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

 

[boatrboy]

Texas Aj - by all means take up tabman on his offer to evaluate.

I will add that my doc neighbor has a new 260 sundancer and last year, all year, he had problems leveling his boat. Every trip he followed me it look tilted. When he pulled the boat for the winter, it turned out that one tab was leaking and all the fluid was gone.
From my experience, this is rare, but you should check your fluid level just in case.

p.s. Bennett customer service is one of the best I have dealt with. I sure he will give you solid advice.