What size K-planes?
 

25' Sunsation, about 4500# fully loaded with fuel and passengers. Approx 85 mph boat.

What size K-plane should I be looking at, and what should I expect to pay for the parts and for the install labor?

Are ther any other decent tabs out there that cost less? I have single ram Bennetts right now - they are no longer flat - kind of twisted-up :rolleyes:

Eddie Marine kakes a awesome looking billet aluminum K plain. they are 12 X 21" and very heavy duty. I think Snider Marine sells them for $1400 for a complete kit along with the merc. style trim pumps. call steve @ 815 654 2838 Edie Marine also is making a heavy dudty trim tab that looks stronger than the bennets. They will be 12 X 16 " and sell for around $700 but they wont be in production for 2 or 3 months.

I would think that 280 K planes would be about right for your boat but you should probably check with Dave at Sunsation. I am sure you know that he checks in on the Sunsation forum on this board fairly regularly. You might also want to check out Duraplane trim tabs . They look pretty trick. In general terms, longer and narrower is gives more effect with less drag. At the speeds you are running I would guess that you are riding with not too much hull in the water. Shorter tabs may require a lot of down angle just to reach the water, depending of course on mounting position. Lots of factors to consider, that's why I recommend contacting the factory. As you have noticed, stock Bennet tabs were never designed for the speeds you are getting. Good luck.

I don't know how well they would hold up at 80mph, but I use the Bennett ST16 duel ram sport tabs and they seem to be doing fine

25' 4500lb. 85 MPH

I don't think anything from the Overton's, West, etc. are designed for those speeds. Hope you have Hyd. Steering!

Seriously, I'd get the absolute biggest ones you can get on there. Sounds like the planes are all you'll be runnin on 90% of the time:D

Hey Kook,

I have a similar hull to yours and I am running the 280's. I have no idea about cost, I bought the boat used.

Just remember Bigger is NOT neccasarily better when you deal with K-planes. We put the 32" planes on the 30ft superboat and lost a lot of MPH with them. They created a lot of drag. I would think that the 280 K-planes would do ya. As has been mentioned shop around a bit there are a lot of guys making them now. Keith Eickhart is another that comes to mind.

Jon

saw cast stainless steel tabs in the new hot boat (p86) nice and polished. it said that they fit the merc 280 300 and 380 bolt patterns

Get the long ones. It's like adding some length you your hull.

The only problem is the smallest change makes a dramatic difference in over all trim angles. MAKE SURE YOU GET INDICATORS TOO!