I have a 1976 Chris Craft Tournament with turbo Cummins 555s. The factory trim tabs were removed by the previous owner and was never able to try and see if they would be an improvement, I am looking at Bennet 36x12 external trim tabs if I get positive feedback on needing them. Currently cursing at around 16knots, it feels like the front could ride lower and maybe improve speed / efficiency. Any input of owners with trim tabs working would be appreciated.
top of page
bottom of page
The extra foot of length over my 35 I'm sure helps, but doesn't offset the greater weight. I do have external tabs and highly recommend them both for comfort and speed. On the old site there was a discussion about a new design set of automated multiple tabs, pricey but interesting.
Tim
Tim, is this what you are referring to???
Char, I had forgotten Alarik's post, certainly a good option. The one I was thinking of had multiple tabs, perhaps 4 and it too used some feedback control.
Nothing wrong with a set of Bennett tabs, I recommend going with dual actuators on each tab .
You can also go with electric tabs which are very reliable too.
The zip wakes are a pretty nifty option as well.
All three of these options are superior to the factory tabs.
Btw, i'm following this discussion greatly, as i'm trying to figure out the peformance of my new 1973 36' Tournament Fisherman. It just doesn't get up on top like my old 1966 38' Express did... (which had standard bennet tabs on the back) and I'm going to be trouble shooting my 36' this season (and next?). That document from Alarik is very interesting and those zip wake things are certainly interesting, i feel like i missed the memo on that technology. Lots to learn! Curious why they didn't just engineer these boats to plane better in the first place... I mean, why do we have to do all this trimming?!
I've installed electric actuators on my original built in trim tabs on my 1973 36' SF, REALLY easy installation (almost too easy) inside boat, great access, electric acutator, new modern dash button, not terribly expensive. Now I wait to see if they affect the performance. I installed IN THE WATER, so I don't really know how far they extend. I'm going to go swimming and have my son push the buttons once i'm not in gross NYC water.
Like I said, mine had the original in hull TTs removed by the previous owner. So, I'm currently sealing / filing the hull space for the original TTs. I went with Benetts 36x12 hydro. I know another 36-commander owner who has the original TTs working and states he gains almost 3 knots by using them on crossing speed (16 to 19) fully loaded. Also has the same 555 turbos Currently at 2550rpms I'm getting around 16knots. If my boat behaves as his 19/20 knots would be great even though I would be pretty happy if I could get the boat to plane faster at around 15knots and at a lower rpms. I can feel the boat get out of the water currently at 2550rpms. At 2000rpms I'm doing 11knots. From 2000rpms to 2550rpms speed increases rapidly only when the boat gets somewhat on plane at 15 / 16 knots. Even then I feel the bow could could ride lower.
Commanders with the original Cummins 555s weight a lot. It's not easy to get them to plane specially with those heavy engines and 2 diesel tanks on the back.
I was able to run my 1973 36’ Tournament Fish this weekend and have more info (and questions) the built in trim tabs added speed and brought the bow down a bit, my WOT speed was 18mph gps at about 3900 rpm… I’ll post my questions in another thread.
What engines do you have?
Well, i hauled today and was finally able to see how far the trim tabs extended and I'm disapointed, and they were un-even... I'm not sure this is enough trim. I believe i'll be sealing them in and installing exterior tabs? Either this season or next.