Scorpion trim tabs

[Daniel]

Seeking feedback from past and present scorpion owners on Tim tabs.

Make / Model fitted, and when they are used (more to level up laterally or to keep bow down in a head sea).

I've a "new to me" 7.5 outboard, previously fitted with fixed tabs. Considering replacing with bennet tabs; or even perhaps lectro-tabs. Probably bennet.

I've noticed a lot of the scorp's have tabs.

Thanks in advance - and don't take this the wrong way ribnetters but I am specifically seeking first hand experience from scorpion owners not other hulls.

[Zippy]

We have bennets on our 8.1. Still getting used to the boat but very handy for lateral changes but with a large outboard, engine trim is more useful for Head sea / following sea control

Scorpions have a real tendency to lean into the wind so I (and particularly swmbo) is liking the ability to level the boat up.

Our old 7.5 didn't have them and you could sort it with engine trim and careful helming but tabs make it easier!

[Chris]

Lenco Tabs are excellent and easy to fit.

[Daniel]

Great feedback zippy. That's basically what I thought. She seams very laterally twitchy and I'm thinking that's because the tubes are set so high... Hence so many have tabs.

The fixed smart-tabs seam a gimmic. Perhaps they add stern lift or extent hull length but critically they can't offset left-right heel so I've taken them off.

I'm lucky in that my 7.5 has a bow ballast tank although not working right now should make a head sea a breeze once recommisioned.

Here she is. A-frame is off being modified to add radar.

[Brian]

Dan
I have large Bennetts and they do exactly wot-was-said.
Lateral as well as individual control.
Would imagine even more important on an outboard boat as they ride much higher in the water and are therefore more vulnerable to windage.
Wouldn't be without them even on my diesel boat.
The port/starboard controls take a little getting used to as they operate the opposite sides tabs!
They have another excellent point in that they automatically retract to neutral when you switch the engine off.

[Zippy]

I remember with our old 7.5 there was a real knack to a little flick of the wheel to keep you level as you came out of the water. i know all boats need this to some extent but was particularly necessary / rewarding with the 7.5.

Tubes out of the water and fairly narrow hull profile leads to plenty of lean. i also find that below 30 kts the boat feels like its working a little harder than it should, 30 kts and up and the hull is working well and fuel efficient improves.

nice looking rib there.

[M.Thornton]

IMO trim tabs are essential an Scorpions,we use big Kiekhaefer tabs to lift our heavy diesel boat,we trim down a bit to lift the stern to aid getting onto plane and are constantly adjusting to sea conditions.We have travelled in company with two other outboard Scorpions,both use Bennet tabs and swear by them

[Daniel]

Wow; serious tabs those Kiekhaefer...

To be honest I was only really considering Bennet as we have a trade a/c but I will research other brands off the back of this thread.

I've no experience of the "lectro-tabs" but wondered if they would be better on a OBM boat as they avoid citing the hydraulic pump and drilling through the transom for the pipes...


Thanks for all comments.

Will update later next month!

[RobinB]

I had Bennetts on an 8m inboard and they were essential for side to side stability. The Scorpion is narrow at the hind quarters hence the soft landings ! but the tabs would keep her very steady in wind or when running in a beam sea. The leg trim did all my bow adjustments.
Bennett seem to be pretty bulletproof and have been standard issue on most of the early Scorpions.

[Trevor G]

Originally Posted by Daniel

I will research other brands off the back of this thread.

I've no experience of the "lectro-tabs" but wondered if they would be better on a OBM boat as they avoid citing the hydraulic pump and drilling through the transom for the pipes...

This is what Mike has on Hot Lemon.

[Daniel]

Essentially the same as Bennet those are Trevor... Except the sticker.

[Daniel]

The trunks are interesting though; I don't have those and I'm a big believer in elephants trunks on a rib. Might have to retro-fit as I did to the ballistic.

[Trevor G]

Originally Posted by Daniel

Essentially the same as Bennet those are Trevor... Except the sticker.

I think the Lenco's are electromechanical (like Lectrotab) rather than hydraulic (like the Bennet).

[willk]

Originally Posted by Trevor G

I think the Lenco's are electromechanical (like Lectrotab) rather than hydraulic (like the Bennet).

Yup!

[Daniel]

Argh. You've got my attention then !!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Chris

Lenco Tabs are excellent and easy to fit.

[gtflash]

same as what most people have said. I had a 7.5 and she was fine without tabs except a beam or quartering sea, then she would land on the rear chine very hard. Lenco trim tabs transformed her. The deep V makes them almost essential, or you cant present the sharp bit of a scorpion hull to the horrible sea.

Now i have 8.1 with bennett and I have bought Lenco rams to replace the rams as they are very slow. Scorpion now fit lenco only from factory.

[Daniel]

Lenco around £300-£600 from USA on ebay.

I'm converted.

Bennet are slow in response. I agree.

[Portholme]

I've got Bennett 18 by 12 twin rams on an 8.1 and as most have said you need them in cross winds in particular. The boat really leans in to the wind.

I find them fast enough and there is a real knack to using them to get the boat on the plane and then to backing them off. Pushing into an East coast chop with the bow down and the outboard trimmed up is also pretty special.

[Daniel]

They're big tabs.

Anyone else know what size they have / had ?