www.iFourWinns.com

Has anyone installed either of the two Bennett Trim Tab indicator kits?

http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/catalog.php?vID=63&cID=2

http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/catalog. ... =196&cID=2

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

I've fitted the indicator to mine; the position of the original trim tab switches at the side would have made the display of the combined unit difficult to see.

Installation on my Sundowner was very easy, it works fine.

Graham

Thats the one I bought, the seperate indicator. Where did you mount yours? I'm tempted to get the all in one, but your right, it would be difficult to see off to the side.

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

Nice little bling gadget that I have seen on much larger boats, but not on one our size. I don't really see the need, as it is easy to tell where your tabs are by the running attitude of your boat. I would think $400 could be spent more wisely for something that is more important. But , it's your money, spend boat bucks as you see fit.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I only have $125 in it, brand new, full warranty. The auto retractor kit is about $70 or so. The 268s I've seen at GSC all had them installed.

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

I fitted mine on the horizontal surface of the dash, just in front of where the compass was on your 225 ( blank gauge/ replaced by gas fume detector on my 245). I drive the boat standing up most of the time, so it's easy to see it.

I find it useful, especially as it prevents me reversing out of my slip with the tabs down (would make for interesting lack of steering !). As the hydraulic pump for the tabs is on the port side, the port tabs always deploy/ retract quicker than the starboard side, the indicator allows me to adjust them in a more balanced way. Once underway under unchanging wind, tide and wave conditions ( I wish that happened sometimes !) than it's easy to adjust the tabs it by feel.

Graham

Well, I saw a $5,000 KVH satellite system on a new 278 last weekend, along with a $4,000 chart plotter, does that mean I need them too just to use our boat?
Never seen these indicators on a 268 before, I believe that you have.
I don't see the point in them on a pocket cruiser or cuddy. When your off plane retract them fully, when getting on plane deploy as necessary, while under way, adjust for the conditions.
Repeat above steps next trip out.


Old School Cap'n.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I would agree that they are not needed. Heck, I don't even have functioning engine trim indicators on my 298 Vista (the senders went bad) let alone trim tab indicators. After a while, you get a feel for your boat.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

I would have to agree they are not needed. You will learn the feel of the boat and will be able to know right where the tabs as well as the trim is at. But I guess you would consider them training wheels until you learn this stuff.

So I take it the general consensus is to hold off on the install? Just retract when I'm off plane?

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

We have the TPI display on our boat as well as our previous Vista. It is easy to wire and work well. I had it installed so the admiral knows where the tabs are when she drives. I agree that they are not that essential but anything that makes it easier for her to drive makes my life easier. To be honest, we don't use tabs all that much. Mainly to compensate for people on board or severe wind.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Yes, much as a lot of other equipment on boats (and cars) is not essential to allow them to be used, the TPI display is not essential. Traditional alternatives to fitted equipment are available that a purist can use instead, such as paper charts instead of a chartplotter ( I use both). The TPI display is informative, the information it provides can be used or ignored as the helmsman sees fit, just like anything else.

Graham

We don't have the indicator on our 258, but having made the same jump from 20-22' boat to Cruiser, I can say that the trim tab indicator would have been helpful when we were first figuring out how to best get it up on plane and level it out in rough water or with differing loads. I don't feel like I need it now that I've gotten a feel for the boat. Overall, I think its definitely worth the $$ and, if you've already got it, install it!

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2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali

I agree with most that it is not 'needed', but if you already have purchased, then install. I would like to have them for when the wife drives, she needs a tab indicator besides me.

I did install the auto retractor kit. My thoughts on that one, we camp in shallow water and swim around the boat, I did not want a tab left down to hit a rock or anyone toe!!! It works great, when ever the ignition is turned to the off position, the tabs return to there home/full up position.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Resurrecting old post.

Found the EIC5000 indicators on ebay for $250-$300. Haven't crawled around to find out if my '07 V358 has a Bennett system or not, but assuming that it is a Bennett system, is the installation straight forward? The installation instructions on the Bennett site make it seem easy to do.

Anyone do this themselves?

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2007 Four Winns Vista 358