280 vs 380 Mercury K-Planes
#1
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pasadena, Md
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
280 vs 380 Mercury K-Planes
I'm planning to upgrade my regular electric Lenco trim tabs to either 280 or 380 K-Planes. It's not much more, cost wise, to buy the 380 K-Planes over the 280 K-Planes. I was planning to buy the 280's, but after discovering the small price difference I'm not sure what to do. What do you guys recommend?
Thanks
Thanks
#2
Gold Member
Gold Member
I'm sure you'll get some educated answers from members but if I was to have a guess, I'd say bigger tabs are not always better and 380's sound big on a 28 foot boat, especially if you're replacing standard lenco tabs. Please wait for a few answers before jumping.
If you decide on the 380's, you may want to take a look here....
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...0-kplanes.html
RR
If you decide on the 380's, you may want to take a look here....
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...0-kplanes.html
RR
#4
Registered
I had a 28 foot boat and did the swap from 280's to 380's. I took them off after a few test rides in different conditions. They boat reacted way to fast, and tossed the it around. In this case bigger was not better.
#5
Registered
I believe the Dana HP 1000 is between the 280 and 380 K tabs in length (24 inches) You may want to consider them. I have them on my Velocity VR 1 and am very pleased with them.
http://www.marineindustrieswest.com/...6-0d99f1b30c8b
Padraig
http://www.marineindustrieswest.com/...6-0d99f1b30c8b
Padraig
#6
Registered
When I was buying tabs for my 28 Velocity I spoke with the factory about what size to get. I was told the 380's were a lot of tab on a 28 so I went with the 280's. I have wondered since if I should have got the 380's lol. The 280's do work well on my boat though.
Like you said the 380's aren't that much of a price difference. You could always trade the 380 plates for a set of 280's if you don't like them. There are plenty of people looking to trade. Heck I might be one of them.
Like you said the 380's aren't that much of a price difference. You could always trade the 380 plates for a set of 280's if you don't like them. There are plenty of people looking to trade. Heck I might be one of them.
#7
Registered
Here you go some 280s in the swap section. And a reliable seller.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...lines-ect.html
Padraig
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...lines-ect.html
Padraig
#8
VIP Member
VIP Member
If I were you and its between buying 280 and 380 I would buy the 380, since cost is nearly the same, and then trade out the 380 plates + cash for 280 plates. It would be easy to find someone on OSO to do the deal.
#9
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pasadena, Md
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I was buying tabs for my 28 Velocity I spoke with the factory about what size to get. I was told the 380's were a lot of tab on a 28 so I went with the 280's. I have wondered since if I should have got the 380's lol. The 280's do work well on my boat though.
Like you said the 380's aren't that much of a price difference. You could always trade the 380 plates for a set of 280's if you don't like them. There are plenty of people looking to trade. Heck I might be one of them.
Like you said the 380's aren't that much of a price difference. You could always trade the 380 plates for a set of 280's if you don't like them. There are plenty of people looking to trade. Heck I might be one of them.
underpsi68, did you have regular trim tabs before you upgraded? Is there a certain reason why you are wondering if you should of went with the 380's? So the plates are interchangeable? Sorry for all the questions, just want to be sure before I buy them.
Thanks
#10
Registered
Personally I think that the 380's are both more efficient & effective. A short 280 has to has to be lowered further in order to provided the same lift a 380 can. The 280 ends up dug into the water & scrubs off more speed. Yes you have to pay more attn as to how much tab you apply w/ the 380's b/c they'll respond quicker but I don't think they are dangerous. After my swap / install I set them at what I measured to be 0 or level w/ the hull bottom. I had someone else run my boat up to 50mph & another hold my ankles while I looked over the transom. As suspected the planes were gliding right on the waters surface w/ no angle ultimately providing additional stability as if my boats hull surface was another 30" longer.
Obviously the the conditions you boat in, the boat size, style, weight & how you boat all play into this decision.
Just my $02.