Bertram33 User Forum

I don't think its a question of using them to balance an un-even load or to compensate for sea conditions as much as the debate seems to be on the size of the tabs. Having run the boats with both stock and over-sized tabs, I am a proponent of the stock set-up. I know that Bill likes his over-sized tas because he can get his bow down a lot more than I can get mine down for a given speed or rpm, but I'm not a big fan of the way his boat steers. Like Chi Chi Rodriguez says, "That's why they make wallpaper." Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

I have heard a lot of people quoted,Shakespeare,churchill......but Chi Chi?[:D] Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Thank you all for the advices on tabs. Members contributions make this site invaluable. Jose Jaen "Blue Chip" 1993 33FBC Miami FL

One of the first things I did on Same Old Tuna a few years ago was to replace the stock trim tabs with 40" Bennets. I personally think it was a waste of money. I have to be really careful when adjusting the tabs to keep the adjustmnet small, because the boat gets really squirrelly if there is just a little too much tab added. The boat does only need the merest touch of the tabs to balance it so I suspect that the Bennett propaganda (which suggests, I think 40 inch tabs for the boat) must be based on some inferior non-Bertram design!

Thanks Robert. That's what I've been saying for 2 years. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Love my big 40 inch tabs, you can feel how effortless the engines are running when the bow is way down on a nice calm day. Increased speed, increased fuel economy, great ride, what else is there to talk about? Squirrelly only happens when you use to much tab, pretty simple. Don't hate me cause you aint me.[8D] Bill Dunlop "Rebecca Rose" 1988 FBC Ipswich, Massachusetts

I just developed a leak in my trim tabs. Outside of the boat - when I fill up the system - it leaks into the ocean when I try to use the tabs. - I am considering upgrading the size of my tabs - but it depends on how far I get on my winter list of things to do to the boat....

Don't do it Sean. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

It might be the O rings in the pistons, very easy to replace. If they are Bennett you can call them and they will send the O rings and instructions on how to replace them, usually for free. Bill Dunlop "Rebecca Rose" 1988 FBC Ipswich, Massachusetts

Hello All I know no one has posted on this in a while. Wanted to let you know my solution or I should say the solution given to me by a very experienced charter captain in Key West (Capt. Mike Weinhofer) He has run my boat many times and advised that to add more trim to the current tabs all that needed to be done was to add 3/4" stainless angle iron to the outboard edge of the tabs. I did this a few months ago and it worked amazingly well. My 1980 with 3208 and a 7.5 diesel generator had always run a little bow high, The lower I get the bow the faster it goes. Iam sold on this modification. Thank you Capt. Dan Devendorf

With my stock tabs I am actually able to drop the bow to low and cause it to fly all over. I feel, on the 33 SF, larger tabs are not needed. Of course that could be because of my cruise speed compared to the gas guys. Brian with his new install probably gets the same as I do. Mike

quote:Originally posted by boat bum dan Hello All He has run my boat many times and advised that to add more trim to the current tabs all that needed to be done was to add 3/4" stainless angle iron to the outboard edge of the tabs. Do you mean with one leg of the angle attached the the back edge of the tab, and the other leg turned down into the water flow? Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

No Sean You add the angle to the outside edge of each tab extending down into the water. Dan

So do I understand, you add 3/4" of SS 90degree angle stock to both of the outer sides (the short sides, NOT the one parallel to the transom) with the L shape edge of the stock pointing to the water and the other angle flat on top of the trim tab? 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR BERTRAM PRIDE '06 yet? DO IT NOW... SPACE IS LIMITED!

Yes, That is what I have done and it has added trim control (more trim possible) with no down side that I can tell. Dan