Trojan Boat Forum

RWS,

Do you have a price on that set-up? I think my shafts are ok, as they look at least 1 1/2". In the short term, its kind of hard to justify since their is only 700 hours on these motors. I was contemplating adding a fuel injection system. A buddy put one on his '67 Chevelle with a 454 and he said the performance difference and torque improvement was amazing. At $2000 a system, I wanted to make sure they work on a boat like this.

What do you think of my welding idea?

How would you weld them? They're thin aluminum, so spot welds would be probable, but I'm not sure they would hold up over time (especially in salt water). I do think the Bennets on my 26 are welded to the bracket though (but it doesn't stay int he water).

I've got a set of Kiekhaefer K-Planes with no rams that I plan to use on something someday ...

I thought they were about 16 guage stainless steel. I'd probably do more than spot weld. I would put the new piece on the bottom of the existing plane and push the side nearest to the hull about a 1/2" forward. I figured by putting the new piece on the bottom, the water pressure would not be as much stress on the welds. The plan would be to make a mig weld seam along that entire edge on the bottom of the plane at the joint and then another seam along the joint on the top of the plane. I would also drill a few holes along the center of the existing plane and weld those spots also. I would also probably weld a spine from the bolted in actuator to the back edge of the entire plane to give it more rigidity. I'm also in fresh water in the great and finger lakes. I would finish by coating the entire thing with bottom paint or POR 15.

However, if they are aluminum, this probably won't work.

You're right - they are stainless ... might work.

I just ran down and checked mine (and grabbed a cold one) ...

The brackets for the ram are held in place on my Bennets with 4 "rivets" that are welded in place.

Mine are 18"W x 11"L, and the boats runs 50+mph ... I noticed a huge difference in speed/economy when the tabs were broken. When I run, I set the throttle to about 2200RPM, watch the Flo-Scans, and then adjust the tabs up/down until the speed maximizes. Here in Charleston, its such a long ride to the Gulf Stream that I often tag along on the side of the wake of a big 60' sportie (if its calm) and surf out - I pick up 3-4knots that way.

I'd stick with TabMan - he can help you ...

You talked me into it...I'm grabbing myself a cold one...

For what it's worth, I measured mine today as well (after haul out ) ... Boat Levellers on my F32 are 8" x 24".

Trojan must of have been given a special deal on that make and size...

todd brinkerhoff wrote:Trojan must of have been given a special deal on that make and size...

Works well for me.

Todd,

I have Boat Leveler on my 10m midcabin and upgraded to Bennett (tabs only) onto the existing setup.

I got a pair of scratch and dent tabs for around $250. I think they're 36x12 if I recall (I have the receipt)...much bigger than stock.

The guy at Bennett was concerned about having only one actuator on each tab as that size usually had two. I replaced all the h/w and used 4200 to give some extra strength and changed some screws to bolts/washers. The actuators are slightly off center, that was dictated by the new tab.

It's worked great and the boat responds really well. I don't have concrete before/after numbers though.


Bob

todd brinkerhoff wrote: Tabman,

What do you think of getting the Bennett 24X12 Trim board with drop fins and welding them to the existing Boat Leveler tabs. I would then redrill the holes for the actuators through both sheets. I'm trying to avoid drilling more holes in my boat and I have access to some very good welders.

That could work!

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

todd brinkerhoff wrote:RWS,

Do you have a price on that set-up? I think my shafts are ok, as they look at least 1 1/2". In the short term, its kind of hard to justify since their is only 700 hours on these motors. I was contemplating adding a fuel injection system.

Little in boating makes any financial sense.

Upgrading a pair of good running 454 Crusaders to diesel makes less sense.

If your engines were "wore plumb out" it could be an easier argument.

RWS

Tom (AKA Tabman),

Can you check your scratch and dent supply for 24X12DF. If you have a set I will give you a call. I talked to my welding guy, and he is set up with stainless wire for his mig welder.

Thanks you all for your input,
Todd

Hey guy let's keep this as a trim-tab topic line,we can beat gas vs #2 fuel oil iin a other topic line. thanks. and lets pick the Tabb man Smarts out of his brains before he goes off fishing somewhere.

todd brinkerhoff wrote:Tom (AKA Tabman),

Can you check your scratch and dent supply for 24X12DF. If you have a set I will give you a call. I talked to my welding guy, and he is set up with stainless wire for his mig welder.

Thanks you all for your input,
Todd

Todd,

I checked first thing this morning and unfortunately we don't have any

The Part Number is TPO2412DF and you need two of them. I would check with your favorite dealers or online and see what your best deal is. It will be a special order since I don't think anyone is going to stock them.

Tom
Bennett Marine

Thanks Tom