Electric Trim Tabs on '72 48YF

[dwaynec]

Our boat still has the electric trim tab actuators, and they do still work. However the port actuator is sounding like it will not last too many more cycles before it quits. I have talked to a couple of the local yokel boat mechanics around here and they are telling me that I have to remove the in hull tabs and mount new ones on the transom. The tell me the reason is that the hydraulic tabs require to actuators per tab, where my tabs only have one actuator.

Have any of you been through this conversion? Did you have to change over to transom mounted tabs? I am not really opposed to transom mounts, but would prefer to keep the in hull tabs. I would imagine that when you convert to transom mounts that you have to fill in the area where the OEM tabs were in the hull.

Thanks

 

[harnett]

I have a 72 53c and I would guess the tabs were the same. If so I had a hydraulic cylinder made and converted the tab to hydraulic using what was already there. Was pretty simple to change over the cylinder and I bought a off the shelf pump from Bennett trim tabs and I was in business. A note if you try this. Most of the ones use the pump to extend the cylinder and the actuator has a spring to retract them but they do make a unit that is a true two way hydraulic pump.

 

[dwaynec]

I never thought of having hydraulic cylindars made up for the job. Where do you get something like that made up? I don't know of anyplace around here that would do that.

 

[harnett]

Any decent hydraulic cylinder rebuild shop should be able to handle it. Basically the body and tail piece were standard parts and I had a a head piece made that would fit the hole in the boat.

 

[REBrueckner]

This could be a good subject to call Sams about and ask.

I also have a 1972 YF, but I have a single electric powered hydraulic pump located in a reservoir under the cockpit floor and a hydraulic cylinder for each trim tab mounted outside the stern. Each tab has a stainless steel extension block a few inches past the back of the tab...hence past the stern by about the same amount....I thought it was original, but maybe not. My boat is dated November 1972.

I have the original Bennett owners manual aboard so if you can't get the info you need, post it and when I go back aboard in a few weeks I'll get the book out and see what it says.

One thing Sam's told me: The electric windshield motor (forward of the bridgedeck helm) is actually a Bennett Trim tabs unit....Sure it enough when I needed to replace it, a Bennett unit was the correct replacement!!!!

 

[dwaynec]

Thanks, Rob. It is good to know that about the wiper motors. All of mine work, but they have gotten kinda lousy looking over the years.

 

[REBrueckner]

The windshield motor I referenced above is the electric motor that opens the center windshield window....the one with the screw gear forward of the helm, not wiper motors....

 

[dwaynec]

I guess its time I take reading and comprehension lessons!

 

[dwaynec]

Has anybody had any experience with the Lenco electric actuators? They claim that they make tabs/actuators for Hatteras, as well as other boats.