Would These Work as a Wakesurf Tab
 

Anyone have any experience with the Bennett Trim Tab? Seems as though these would work as a wake enhancement. http://www.overtons.com/modperl/prod...view&from=grid

They would work but i would go with an electric tab like a lenco or the bennet bolt.

They don't work well because of 2 things.

1. The mount angle is fixed which limits your flexibility on optimizing the amount that the tab is able to move.

2. They are not "long throw" actuators so your losing even more movement.

The long throw Lenco actuators are used for good reason and they are mounted at an aggressive angle to give the largest range of motion possible.

you don't need to use long throw but they would give a better range of motion.

Many people have ventured down this path and realized that without a LARGE range of motion, "surf tabs" are a waste of money.

Look at the picture in the banner of this page, http://www.wakemakers.com/wavecontro...FdMWHwodT7gMww

Lenco actuators mounted VERY close to the pivot point of the tab to provide optimal range of motion for the tab.

I actually previously bought a Bennett setup to put a surfgate on my old centurion. When I did the math on the triangle, I realized the fixed mounting angle limited my ability to mount the actuator in the correct spot to extend and retract the gate far enough to make it work. The same concept holds true for surf tabs. They need to deploy pretty far in order to work.

Granted everyboats hull will react differently but this is my boat with standard 2 1/4 inch lenco actuators. It works great

It would probably work even better with a longer tab and with the lenco mounted lower. I commend you for putting that together but I don't like how the actuators are above the platform like that.

The wakemakers setup uses standard Lenco's too. I was surprised by that.

Lots of people won't like seeing actuators but I love it. I'm a contractor by trade and anytime I see an actuator or hydraulic cylinder I know I don't have to lift something. I have thought about making a slightly larger tab but it works well the way it is and haven't had time to fab one up yet. I might just adjust the fins for now and get a little crab action.

Jeff, does the tab, since it cannot be raised above the waterline, effect the wake of the side you are surfing?

Jeff, Do you have pictures of the resulting wake? I am in the process of designing a surf system for my boat and am curious to see the result.

FYI, I like the black ABS fresh air exhaust. $40 FTW!

The tabs have no effect on the surfside when they are not deployed. I have them set 5/8 above bottom of hull and when retracted they are about 1 1/2 above bottom of hull. When deployed the trailing edge is 2 inches below hull. The fins are set straight for now, but i may adjust the starboard fins to help the port side wake.

This is a quick video of the wake transfer. I have yet to be out with a load of people and no chop. The chop as always was killing the wake. This was 2 people in the boat and both 750's 3/4 full. Also since this video i reproped the boat with an acme 1615.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8yfkC56Qjg

Cool....
A little bow weight or Speed (Re-Prop) might clean that up the last lil bit....

Was that a kit? And would I need to look at heavy duty, something like this? http://www.wholesalemarine.com/lenco...no-switch.html

No kit, I just bought the actuators tabs and switch. Then fabricated some fins for the bottom. I think I have about 450 in the system.

Did you bolt the tab plates or are they screwed into the transom?

How is the PVC holding up? Can we see some more pics of the exhaust system?

I screwed them to the transom per the manufacturers instructions.

This is the second boat i have made this for and this boats second year with it on it. So far it works great. I don't have any more pics of it right now but i'll try to take some.

The abs pipe will hold up fine.

I just did a stringer in my boat in the spring. The exhaust was most definitely a mix of abs pipe and fiberglass. The fiberglass was mostly for the fittings.

The thought never crossed my mind to use the abs for the fresh air exhaust. How easily did it bolt to the through hull fittings?

No bolts, just hose clamps. All of the attachment is to the swimdeck.

Great job on the surf tabs, I just don't know if I'm ready to drill in to. My boat. Do you have any other pictures of the exhaust That's a great idea, what is the spray like at high speed.

I justified putting the tabs on by being able to tune the wake for water skiing. Lol I'll try to get another pic of the exhaust this weekend.

thanks
i was wondering how the spay is at speed, we do use our boat to ski and barefoot with as well, glad to hear the tabs don't affect the wake a speed
I'm looking forward to the exhaust pics

Any more pics on the exhaust or feed back on spray at ski speed