20 foot owners - trim tabs??

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Bigfoot

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Hey guys,

Have a 1990 Overnighter and want Bennett Tabs, my mechanic says the swim platform has to be removed....my question, I know most 20 foot owners have tabs AND kept their swim platform...what is my mechanic missing? what size tabs were you able to install with keeping the platform?

Thank you in advance for replies...
 
Bigfoot said:
Hey guys,

Have a 1990 Overnighter and want Bennett Tabs, my mechanic says the swim platform has to be removed....my question, I know most 20 foot owners have tabs AND kept their swim platform...what is my mechanic missing? what size tabs were you able to install with keeping the platform?

Thank you in advance for replies...
Click to expand...

Bigfoot,

Bennett makes systems with shorter actuators (rams) such as the 10" X 12" m120, which is the size I would recommend for your boat.

Polarm120inches.jpg


Even if these are a little too tall, it is usually easy to modify the platform a bit:

notched_swim_ladder.jpg


Tom McGow
Bennett Marine
 
Thanks Tabman,

I have the 2003 F200 heavy 4 banger which makes the bow ride high...I've never had tabs and all I've heard is it's a must have on my 204c.

What will I really notice after adding these tabs?
 
Bigfoot said:
Thanks Tabman,

I have the 2003 F200 heavy 4 banger which makes the bow ride high...I've never had tabs and all I've heard is it's a must have on my 204c.

What will I really notice after adding these tabs?
Click to expand...

The M120swill let you get up on plane faster with much less bow rise and stay on plane at much lower speeds. The ability to keep the bow down, cutting the waves at lower speeds will make running in a chop much more comfortable.

Tom
Bennett Marine
 
I have a 2006 Adventure 208. Came with Bennett trim tabs and a swim platform from my dealer. Works great and the trim tabs are an absolute must have. I use them all the time.
 
Tabman said:
Bigfoot said:
Thanks Tabman,

I have the 2003 F200 heavy 4 banger which makes the bow ride high...I've never had tabs and all I've heard is it's a must have on my 204c.

What will I really notice after adding these tabs?
Click to expand...

The M120swill let you get up on plane faster with much less bow rise and stay on plane at much lower speeds. The ability to keep the bow down, cutting the waves at lower speeds will make running in a chop much more comfortable.

Tom
Bennett Marine
Click to expand...

awesome, not a cheap item but on it this year...

like adding 2 feet to the boat...
 
I put Bennett Sport Tabs on my Overniter and the factory swim step was not an issue. I also put the same tabs on my 208...it has the same swim step pictured above and had to remove it to notch it as shown. No big deal....it doesn't have to go away.
 
Trim tabs will be a big improvement. You could get by without them in nice conditions but they were of use for me on my overnighter regularly.
 
Bigfoot said:
where to mount the controls??? space is limited on the Overnighter?
Click to expand...
I mounted them on that flat area above the engine control binnacle
 
Tabman said:
Bigfoot said:
Thanks Tabman,

I have the 2003 F200 heavy 4 banger which makes the bow ride high...I've never had tabs and all I've heard is it's a must have on my 204c.

What will I really notice after adding these tabs?
Click to expand...

The M120swill let you get up on plane faster with much less bow rise and stay on plane at much lower speeds. The ability to keep the bow down, cutting the waves at lower speeds will make running in a chop much more comfortable.

Tom
Bennett Marine
Click to expand...

Got em installed and exactly as you stated - love em! Kinda made the boat ride 2 feet bigger.

Thanks for replies!
 
I am installing the Bennett M120 tabs right now on my 1989 G/W 204. I have everything done but the control at the helm. I had to take a break for a few days due to rain/wind. I had no problems with interference between the actuators and port side swim step
20140222_191059_zps8be3eea4.jpg

20140222_191011_zps4c67b369.jpg
 
My '88 204C never came with the tabs OEM. The stern would sink for a while till she picked up speed, good thing she had a V6 150 2 stroke, used all of it getting her stern out of the hole more so when loaded up. Needed tabs too for off planning speed when water was just too tough that day.

The 1992 252G did, and I can say the Bennett system is all original and works perfect.

I can't understand how the seals on the rams have not given up the ghost in all this time.
21 yrs (21 seasons, 13 with me) later, and no trailer or garage queen either.
 
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