twmaher

I just bought a 22 foot MoombaV Drive wakeboarding boat. The boat manufacturer offers a single trim tab at the center of the boat that they call a wake plate, which is used to trim the boat for planing and to shape the wake by adjusting the boats plane. I don't understand why they use a single trim tab.Wouldn't it be just as effective to use two trim tabs for wake shaping plus get the additional advantages of being able to trim the boat left and right to adjust for load. current, wind, etc?

What do you recommend?

Tabman II

twmaher,

Thank you for contacting us with your questions.

Most skiboat/wakeboarding boats use the single wake plate system, since they normally run fairly flat (shallow deadrise hulls) and don't need to correct for listing issues. Also, the single wake plate system has less parts and is easier for boater to deal with from an installation/operation stand point too. Really, it comes down to the real reason you are installing trim tabs on the vessel to decide which one it the correct choice for the situation. What are you trying to correct/change about the vessel's running attitude by installing trim tabs? Please let us know and we will help you make the correct choice for your installation!

We look forward to your reply.

Regards,
MJ Thomas
Account Manager
Bennett Marine, Inc.
550 Jim Moran Blvd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Service hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday (EST)
Phone: (954) 427-1400
Fax: (954) 480-2897
www.bennetttrimtabs.com
info@bennetttrimtabs.com

twmaher

MJ,

The boat's primary use is wakeboarding, sking and tubing. I want to be able to tune the wake shape for different activities and rider preference. In addition, I will be using the boat primarilly in Lake Champlain which is a huge lake (430 Square miles). The lake is over 100 miles long N&S and the big section of the lake is 12 miles wide and sits between two nountain ranges. The big open sections are nearly always windy with conditions ranging from small chop to big wide swells. In addition to triming the wake for watersports, I'd like to be able to trim the boat for running in the big rough parts of the lake when I'm just getting from one place to another. For example, it usually takes me about 20 minutes just to get to the quiet cove where I like to Wakeboard. That means at least 40 minutes of running at 40 MPH in the open lake every time I go to and from my wakeboarding spot. Another example is a trip accross the lake From Plattsburgh NY to Burlington, VT. It's about an 1.5 hour trip each way cruising at 40 mph. The boat I'm replacing is an 18 foot stern drive and I have M80 sport tabs and the auto tab system that I use during any long runs.

I can't tell you what behaviors I'm trying to correct or change because I'm just buying the boat and I have not tried it yet in the open lake. But I can tell you that the Bennett trim tabs on my last boat were one of the best investments I ever made. I started with a boat that had a serious porpoising problem and turned it into the most well mannered boat I've driven in 35 years of boating.

I've been told that the single tab that is offered as a Moomba factory option is a bennett trim tab, I thought you'd be able to explain their reasoning for using a single tab as well as help me decide what will work best for my combined needs of watersports and running in the open lake where the conditions can vary greatly but are almost always challenging for a small powerboat.

Thanks for your help,
Tom

Tabman II

twmaher,

Thank you for answering our questions.

From the description of your boating, we feel a standard set of trim tabs would be your best choice for all around performance, but if you spend most of your time wakeboarding the wake plate system will provide better performance during your wakeboarding trips. Please keep in mind the wake plate system will still be able to help you with bow down situations in rough water, but it will not be able to correct for any type of listing issues. We really feel you should take delivery of the vessel and try it out on a few trips to see how well she handles the open water on Lake Champlain before you make a choice, so you will have a better idea of which system to install.

We look forward to your reply.

Regards,
MJ Thomas
Account Manager
Bennett Marine, Inc.
550 Jim Moran Blvd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Service hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday (EST)
Phone: (954) 427-1400
Fax: (954) 480-2897
www.bennetttrimtabs.com
info@bennetttrimtabs.com

twmaher

Can you explain why you thnk the single tab will provide better performanceduring wakeboarding? I'm trying to understand the elements I'm trying to analyze in order to make my decision.

Tom

Tabman II

Tom,

Most wakeboarding vessel's run flat or fairly flat during wakeboarding sections, so need for list correction isn't needed. With the single wake plate system it makes it easier for clients to dial in the wake shape with a single control vs. trying to use two to shape the wake. Also, tabs make their own "wakes" just like your vessel does as they run through the water, so with a single tab you have just two new wakes (moving outboard to join the vessel's wake) vs. four wakes that have two converging in the center.

Regards,
MJ Thomas
Account Manager
Bennett Marine, Inc.
550 Jim Moran Blvd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Service hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday (EST)
Phone: (954) 427-1400
Fax: (954) 480-2897
www.bennetttrimtabs.com
info@bennetttrimtabs.com

twmaher

OK - Thanks.

Can I buy a wake plate system directly from Bennett? I'm told the system Moomba offers is made by Bennett, but I don't see anything like that system when I look at Bennett offerings.

Tom

Tabman II

Tom,

You can purchase the Moomba kit directly from your Moomba dealer or you could look at purchasing one of our X-Tab Wakeplate systems from any of your local marine dealers, catalog &/or Internet retailers. Most likely the X22 kit should work quite well for your installation, since I think that is the same size that Moomba uses for their systems. You would need to order the X22 kit with our bottom mounting plate vs. the standard transom mounting plate, so you can take advantage of the recessed mounting platea area on your hull for the installation. Of course, you might have to modify (cut/grind) the mounting plate a bit to make it fit, but this shouldn't be too hard for you to handle during the installation. Please use the "X22" part number to shop around for your best deal and to place your order!

If you have anymore questions, please feel free to contact us again.

Regards,
MJ Thomas
Account Manager
Bennett Marine, Inc.
550 Jim Moran Blvd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Service hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday (EST)
Phone: (954) 427-1400
Fax: (954) 480-2897
www.bennetttrimtabs.com
info@bennetttrimtabs.com

twmaher

I bought an an older low hours model that I believe was built before they started offering the wake plate.It's a 2000 Kamberra and I don't recall seeing a recessed mounting platea area on thehull.ShouldIuse the standard transom mount if there's no recess?

Tom

twmaher

I noticed that Moomba has a trim position indicator. Is there a Bennett TPI I can use with this?

Tom

Tabman II

Tom,

Yes, the std Transom Mount would be your best choice for your installation and we do offer a wakeplate gauge for the system too! The part number for it is TG1000X and it retails for $100.00, which you can order it at the same time as the X-plate kit. The gauge is a two inch round analog gauge that shows deployment from 0 to 100 percent, which will help you to recreate the wake shape you want time after time! Please use the above part numbers to shop around for your best deals and to place your order.

If you have anymore questions, please feel free to contact us again.

Regards,
MJ Thomas
Account Manager
Bennett Marine, Inc.
550 Jim Moran Blvd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Service hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday (EST)
Phone: (954) 427-1400
Fax: (954) 480-2897
www.bennetttrimtabs.com
info@bennetttrimtabs.com

twmaher

MJ,

I've always bought my Bennett products over the internet and I can't find anayone who offers the x-22 wake tab and the TG1000X TPI. The only place I found the X-22 Wakeplate is Overton's and they aren't handling Bennett products any more. They are just closing out their Invertory. Can you point me to Bennett dealer that can help me out.

I'm in Vermont and I'm not aware of any Bennett dealers in my area. (Burlington, VT or Plattsburgh, NY)

Tom

Tabman II

twmaher,

Honestly, any of the dealers you have found online should be able to order the parts for you using our part numbers, since they are all supplied through the marine distribution system. Please give them a call to quote you on the parts you are looking to purchase and we would suggest starting with the dealer that has given you the best service so far, so you can be sure they will be around the next time you are in the market!! Please give them call and if you have anymore questions or needs, feel free to contact us again.

Regards,
MJ Thomas
Account Manager
Bennett Marine, Inc.
550 Jim Moran Blvd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Service hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday (EST)
Phone: (954) 427-1400
Fax: (954) 480-2897
www.bennetttrimtabs.com
info@bennetttrimtabs.com

twmaher

I bought the X-22 Wake tab and since December have sent several email requests to Bennett dealers inquiring about the TG1000X TPI. Until today, noone responded. Today, I got the following response.

Dear Tom Maher,
Thank you for your e-mail and Thank you for shopping at Turtle Marine.The Bennett TG-1000X Gauge
has been discontinued and we no longer can not get any
pricing on this unit.
Again, Thank you and if you have any questions feel free to call me at (800)-785-5317 or by e-mail at info@turtlemarine.com
David
Turtle Marine

Itshould not be this difficult!! Can you please help me get the TG1000X TPI or something equivelent? What about thew guage you make for Moomba? that would be perfect.

Tom

Tabman II

twmaher,

We are very sorry for all the trouble you have been having with your order, but we will be more than happy to help you! Please contact us directly (ask to speak to Thomas) at the phone number below, so we can take care of your order for the TG1000X today!

We look forward to your call.

Regards,
MJ Thomas
Account Manager
Bennett Marine, Inc.
550 Jim Moran Blvd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Service hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday (EST)
Phone: (954) 427-1400
Fax: (954) 480-2897
www.bennetttrimtabs.com
info@bennetttrimtabs.com

twmaher

MJ - Thanks for your help getting all the components. I got everything I needed during the winter and I'm finally doing the installation. I have a couple issues I need help with:
1) The bracket for the HPU came out of the box broken. Can you get me a replacement?
2) The installation instructions indicate that when installed, the X-22 should have a negative angle which provides a 1/2" measurement at the trailing edge when a straight edge is placed on the hull bottom. My measurement is correct. When the tab is in the full down position, I'm only getting a positive angle measurement at the trailing edge of 1" below the straight edge placed on the Hull. Compared to other trim tabs I've installed this is very limited movement. Is this the all the trim this unit is designed to provide or is something wrong? I have not put it in the water yet, so I don't know how the boat reacts to the limited movement of the tab.

Thanks,
Tom

NCSUmoomba

Tabman, I have a similar issue with my Moomba Outback. However, my problem is a listing issue. When wakeboarding, especially when I have a lot of ballast weight in the boat, when a rider cuts out and applies lateral load on the wakeboard tower, I get a considerable about of rolling over of the boat, probably up to about 15 degrees. I was wondering if a pair of trim tabs and the auto leveler control that Bennett offers would cure this issue. My main concern is how fast the tabs will react when controlled by the ATC, along with the limted mounting space on the transom. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Brian