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An Attitude Control System - Mente Marine ACS - Trim Tab Controller

Bruce

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For months I joked with the kids about it being some sort of disciplinary device.

Then I finally got around to installing it and was able to test it out over the Memorial Day Weekend.

The ACS is GPS and gyroscope controlled trim tab controller. You simply adjust it to the attitude, roll and pitch, that you want and it holds it at speeds above 10 MPH. I found that I could set the attitude at a low speed and it would hold when I sped up or slowed down. I am using the ACS with a pair of Lectrotab Trim Tabs.

Last Sunday we ventured 12 miles down the lake to watch fireworks. Hundreds or perhaps even a thousand boats were doing the same so the water was a rough chop. On the way there we came up beside a similar sized go fast boat that was porposing through the waves. We were going roughly the same speed on a parallel course. My wife commented about how rough that boat was riding. We were cutting through the same waves with little bow rise.

On the return trip I trimmed the bow down at a GPS indicated 16 MPH. It was dark, hundreds of boats had recently departed the fireworks, and lots of those drivers had been drinking all day. We made the entire 12 mile trip home between 16 and 18 MPH and the boat was sitting at a similar angle to where it had been on the 30+ MPH trip on the way there.

The ACS is easy to install. All it needs is 6 or 7 wires connected and a couple of nuts installed on the back side to hold it in place. I slightly enlarged the mounting hole from a courtesy light that I am relocating. Total install time was less than 30 minutes. It calibrates itself after installation.

I am really looking forward to seeing how much it helps crossing the gulf stream in 23 days

Here is a picture of the ACS mounted in front of the throttles. I can control it without releasing the throttles.

ACSControl.jpg

And a wider picture of the complete dash.

FullDash.jpg
 
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dan144k

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I just manually adjust my trim tabs, but it does make the ride better. Adding just a little trim makes the boat track really strait.

I have the volvo QL blade style trim tabs, they work well, nothing for people to kick under the boat
 
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Glassman

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I got the whole shebang from Bennett. Auto Controller, visual indicators and Auto Retract - which is nice because I know I would never would remember to retract them when beaching stern-in.


helm.jpg
Manual and Auto Control are at the top/left and visual indicators are just below throttles
 

Bruce

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I just manually adjust my trim tabs, but it does make the ride better. Adding just a little trim makes the boat track really strait.
I noticed the straighter tracking as well.
 

txav8r

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Link isn't working for me either @Bruce
 

Ronnie

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Bruce and glass am, you bastards, now I'm ready to reach for my wallet. Are they electric or hydraulic?
Dare I ask, what did your respective systems cost?

I installed Leno trim tabs with the auto retract switch on one of my past jet boats. As I recall the worst part was drilling all the holes below the waterline. I was on a measure 30x drill once plan so it took forever. I like the Volvo tabs a yjb member put on his 240 but damn they were bucks.

Jeez Glassman your set up is the shit! I want to go out on your boat.
 

Glassman

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Glad I could return the favor!

The Bennett Sporttabs are hydraulic. If my memory serves me right, I worked with a fellow named MJ Thomas who was putting a kit together for the then - new Yamaha jet boats. He gave me a great deal, I'd guess it was probably less than half of what you spent on your Phantom! I'll see if I can locate the file.
I sent him a bunch of pictures, but I don't know if they ever made the gallery.


FYI , I just took a look at their website. Seems they do not sell direct anymore...Amazon has the same tabs - M 120 Sporttabs w/ electronic indicator for $ 683.21 free shipping. I think the auto retract is about $100 more.
 
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Bruce

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My Lectrotabs are less expensive than the Bennett trim tabs and I believe much easier to install. Lectrotabs are electric so they do not need the hydraulic reservoir or pump. Mine were custom. I will ask for a package price next week.
 

Ronnie

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Thanks for responding guys. Please don't take any further action on my behalf. The less I know the better, if I don't know the price I can't budget for it. Cool stuff thanks for sharing.
 

bucks448

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I put Bennett's on my 190, and worked with Thomas as well. I spent around $600. I can't comment on other trim tabs, but Bennett has some great customer service and really went above and beyond to help with my install. These boat benefit so much from trim tabs, and I don't get why it isn't a more popular mod.
 

Jack Long

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I just manually adjust my trim tabs, but it does make the ride better. Adding just a little trim makes the boat track really strait.

I have the volvo QL blade style trim tabs, they work well, nothing for people to kick under the boat

Dan, do those work well at slow speeds for you?
Do they plane the hull as well as the plate style?

I read they worked better at higher speeds.
 

dan144k

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@Jack Long
I don"t exactly understand what you are asking when you ask about low speeds.

If I bought another boat I would buy them again. With the boat full of 3000 lbs of ballast I can lower the trim tabs and get on plane at 35mph. Also I purchased them mainly for Lake Michigan, to push the bow down and improve the ride quality.

For surfing they do not help like I thought they would (may be my error), I think the traditional type tab may help better with surfing, but we also boat on a shallow 5' river which stinks for surf wave always.

I like that they do not stick out and when people are swimming by the swim deck they cant kick them. So I think they are safer than traditional trim tabs.

Also, I have had to replace one unit already because it broke internally, was not a big deal. just some information
 

Jack Long

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@Jack Long
I don"t exactly understand what you are asking when you ask about low speeds.

If I bought another boat I would buy them again. With the boat full of 3000 lbs of ballast I can lower the trim tabs and get on plane at 35mph. Also I purchased them mainly for Lake Michigan, to push the bow down and improve the ride quality.

For surfing they do not help like I thought they would (may be my error), I think the traditional type tab may help better with surfing, but we also boat on a shallow 5' river which stinks for surf wave always.

I like that they do not stick out and when people are swimming by the swim deck they cant kick them. So I think they are safer than traditional trim tabs.

Also, I have had to replace one unit already because it broke internally, was not a big deal. just some information

Dan,

I really like the style of the QL's and would like to have them, however my concern was planning at speeds between 15-20. From what I read, the are better at higher speeds when more lift is created.

I like the idea of them not sticking out, so if you could change my mind, I am still open.

Do you have pics installed on your boat.

Thanks again for the help!
 
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