Bracket on 23, trim tabs

studiojake · #1 07-06-2016, 09:58 AM

Has anyone run a 23 with bracket and no tabs? I have Hermco twin bracket, will have single 300. Wondering if I can do it without tabs.

Bushwacker · #2 07-06-2016, 10:50 AM

Some of the later Sceptre's with the seat boxes built by SeaCraft Industries in Tampa tend to be a bit bow heavy, so they might be able to get buy w/o tabs. But if you have a CC or a Potter vintage Sceptre, I'd say you'll definitely want tabs. My question why would you NOT want tabs?! If it's because you don't want to cut into bracket, contact Bennett - they have a couple different types of shorter than standard actuators that may eliminate need to notch the bracket.

Some folks say you don't need tabs on a 20. These are people that have never run a 20 WITH tabs! They made my boat think it was about 3' longer when I got into the 2' square waves on the Little Bahama Bank! They allow me to slow down to 12-14 mph and run thru seas up to 3' very comfortably while sitting down 8' forward of the transom! Although I primarily use engine trim to control running angle (seems to have more effect since I went from a 20" motor on transom to a 25" motor on bracket), any deep V will tend to lean into the wind when you're running in a chop with very much wind. (Reason for this is that the wind blows you off course, so when you crank in some helm to correct, the boat heels over into the turn as it normally does.) I use the tabs to roll the hull AWAY from the wind, which increases the hull deadrise relative to the waves. Just a few degrees makes a noticeable improvement in ride!

kmoose · #3 07-06-2016, 04:47 PM

I can't imagine not having tabs on any boat due to weight issue from port to starboard but I guess it could be a work around. Let me know if you decide to not go with the bracket as I'm looking for one.

Bigshrimpin · #4 07-06-2016, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studiojake

Has anyone run a 23 with bracket and no tabs? I have Hermco twin bracket, will have single 300. Wondering if I can do it without tabs.

I have a friend that runs a 23 seacraft CC w/225 yamaha no tabs and a twin Hermco. It does surprisingly well, but he runs a Edge or permatrim (can't remember which one). I think tabs would make it better, but it does very well without tabs.

studiojake · #5 07-10-2016, 10:53 AM

The bracket is already mounted. My 20 has no tabs, and although I'm sure they could help, she runs fine. I'm hoping for one less thing to break.

Capt Terry · #6 07-10-2016, 05:09 PM

Bushwacker ran his 20' Seafari in harsher conditions (like Abaco trips) than I ran mine. I don't have trim tabs, but am considering them to help boat trim for my watersports in SC. However, I have ridden in Bushwacker's Restless Lady across the Little Bahama Bank. I was surprised how fast and comfortable he could run under those conditions with trim tabs; much better than mine would have.

kmoose · #7 07-11-2016, 07:16 AM

In order of importance: Steering wheel, throttle, bilge pumps, trim tabs. I lost one of my tabs on my last trip to the West End and was miserable without it. Benefits: Bow control in any kind of seas or headwind, Port/Starboard list, & additional surface area for lift and length (that's adjustable). For the most part they are one of the most reliable items on the boat. Electric or hydraulic, both have their pluses and minuses but either way I find them indispensable for a boat that encounters any kind of varied sea conditions.

BA17 · #8 07-11-2016, 11:31 AM

I have a 23 CC with a potter/hermco bracket and twin Yamaha 150 FS. I have been having tab issues for the last several trips. I ordered the new Bennetts and they sent me the wrong tabs. I had already taken the old tabs off and filled the holes so I was stuck. We had a tournament this weekend and decided to go anyway. We ran 190 miles each day and I was very surprised how well the boat handled. We did load the front fish box with ice and put a 125 Icey Tek cooler in front of the console. Weather was a little pookey and the boat handled well in all directions. I was really surprised how well the boat performed with no tabs.

Bushwacker · #9 07-11-2016, 09:35 PM

Kmoose is right . . . sea conditions are always changing, so it's nice to be able to make quick trim adjustments! Yes, an AV plate fin can adjust running angle, and you can adjust the trim of the boat by moving gear and coolers around, and even adjust side-to-side trim by shifting gear, but then you're constantly moving stuff as your heading or sea conditions change. Tabs give you the ability to quickly adjust the trim, like when you're approaching an inlet, where you want the bow up to handle big following seas rolling thru an inlet! I made my first Bahamas trip without tabs, but added them for the second trip, and I'd never even consider running without tabs after that! Those who say you don't need tabs are only advertising their lack of experience!

Regarding reliability, I've found the Bennett hydraulic tabs to be one of the most reliable systems on the boat if installed properly. The only problems I had with the tabs was the joystick control that I replaced twice. It's very intuitive to use but not well sealed, and has since been replaced by the waterproof rocker switch that should eliminate those problems.

Highwayman · #10 07-12-2016, 07:32 AM

I mounted the short actuator Lenco 12x 12 tabs over the Hermco Bracket flange. Didn't need to notch the bracket flange. They work great. As the others have mentioned tabs are really a must. I can't imagine running without them. Many different variables (sea conditions, wind speed and direction, and weight distribution) require regular tab adjustments while underway. I also think that the tabs allow for quicker planing allowing for a higher pitched prop.