www.iFourWinns.com

So Sat afternoon I was going to spend the day on the lake with my son. Pulled out the slip, was raising my trim tabs before I gave her some gas, and then heard a pop. At first, I thought I might have hit something, shut everything down, and didn't see anything. But it was a popping sound. Went up on plane, and she immediately pulled to the side. Went back into the slip and saw this.



You can make it out right above where the spot light is shining. It looks like the shaft snapped in two. I got in the water has much as I can to try at least put them back together, but no luck. Any thoughts about how this might have happened? Talked to owner of the dealership I use for service, and he says he has never seen this before.

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

could you have possibly hit something with the tabs down while in reverse? that would seem to me to be the only thing that could try to pull the actuator apart. Everything else is trying to collapse the actuator. Bummer have to haul it ti figure that one out.

It'll be interesting to hear what you come up with.

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

I just pulled out of slip and holding down the trim tab switches for 10 seconds per the manual to make sure they were in the up position before I went on plane. Was just idling at the time I heard the pop.

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

This may have nothing to do with it, but I wonder what kind of pressure would build up if by chance the trim tabs are already in the full up position and the trim tab switches are held down for ten seconds to raise the tabs to full up?

I checked my manual this evening for our 328 and it does say (as you said it did) "before leaving the dock and utilizing the trim tabs, ensure the trim tabs are in the full up position. Depress both lower halves of the trim tab switches and hold (for approximately 10 seconds) until the tabs are full up."

Right or wrong, I typically only activate my trim tabs (or trim on drives for that matter) for a couple seconds at a time. On our 328 I have found I really only use the trim tabs in rough water. Even with 220 gallons of fuel and the boat loaded for vacation she comes up on plane easy without using tabs. So mine stay up until running in rougher conditions. Past two boats I would pretty much always use the trim tabs to get up on plane.

Back to your question though, you wouldn't think asking the trim tabs to raise for ten seconds even if they are fully up would cause this, but I wonder if it could contribute to the cause?

Mike.

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

When I took delivery of the boat a couple of years ago, I asked that question about the 10 seconds. I was told that they were built to hold down as long as you need. You won't create a leak or loose pressure. I just got in the habit to depress the switches every time I leave the slip.

When I'm on plane, I only depress them for 1-2 seconds at a time (if i use them at all). If I to replace the unit itself, I probably will put the newer electronic ones in that raise the tabs every time you turn off the engines.

Just trying to figure out if anyone has heard of this yet, since no one I have spoke to as of yet has.

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

Give Bennett a call. From what I've heard their customer service is top notch. They have a rep who posts on CSR so you might try getting his info over there.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Perhaps talking out of my butt here since I have ZERO experience with this...

Is it possible a relay stuck, switch shorted etc...and caused that thing to stay in the going down position and eventually built enough pressure to blow it apart? I would think (hope) there would be a circuir breaker to prevent this from happening, but who knows?

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

I would be on the phone to bennet, they are pretty decent to deal with and I'm sure they have seen it all.

The pressure should bleed off when holding the switches in the full up or down postion, my guess would be something got jammed between one of the props and tab (log, 2x4 etc) and pulled it apart, hard to say over the internet. Easy enough to fix though, you can add the module that pulls the tabs up when the engine isnt running, $80.00 or so for the part.

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

Once the boat is pulled out and I can see the unit, I will call them. I was on their website and came across this link comparing hydraulic vs electric. Obviously, they are promoting hydraulic since they manufacture it. But for the guys that have had both or experiences, what are your opinions between the two?

http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/hydraulicvselectric.php

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

Any outcome on this?

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Not yet. I'm actually in Puerto Rico and it was supposed to be pulled out this weekend or early this week. Inhabent heard from dealership yet.

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

Got the boat back yesterday. Ended up putting the Lenco electric tabs on. Haven't tested them out, but now I have indicator lights! The put the switch panel right where the Bennet rocker tabs were. Here's a pic.

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select