An appeal to Insta Trim tab owners...
 

Hi guys/ gals,

I've recently been working on a Victory trim tab upgrade for the Insta trim trim tab by Boat Leveler. The largest obstacle to overcome is the fact that the original cylinders are quite short in comparison to say, a Bennett or Lenco ram (picture illustrates the Lenco, Insta Trim and Bennett trim tab rams) Of course this would put undue stress on the original rams when used with a much longer tab. My goal as always is to provide an upgrade that won't compromise the integrity of the existing rams.

I need some feedback from those who have experience running this particular brand. According to the factory there is an 11", 13" and a 16" angle cut tab used in production. Let's hear some feedback, good/ bad or ugly.

I may have to spread some prototypes out there...

Thanks all.

Brian Kamrath

I run their heavy-duty tabs seen here, pictured on the left.
Mine are 12"

I have nothing negative to say about them, they continue to perform as expected after almost 3 years.

The only complaint I have is that the electronic indicators are a little tempermental...Most of the time, I use the tabs purely by feel.

I have ran the single ram insta trim tab and they are horrible:mad: I could easily break two a rams a year. I now have the double ram insta trim tabs. They have been on for a year and not broke one yet.:)

I have a 280 Baja with small single ram tabs that I believe are insta trims. They are not worth much. If someone moves around in the boat, I need to use the tabs to balance the boat. Any suggestions?

Thanks, Jim

Something else I wanted to 'throw' out there.

A simple way to overcome the cylinder shortness factor would be to build a stainless extension/ upper mount much like a standoff box used for outdrives. This would replace the current plastic mount and of course the lower mount would be incorporated into the Victory design in stainless. With this idea comes one catch...you knew there had to something, right?

In order to extend the ram with the aforementioned stainless bracket one would be required to pull an extra 2-3" of hose through the transom. Would this be objectionable to anyone? I realize it may be a bit of a pain due to sealants (3M 5200 would be a bear) and especially if there simply wasn't that much hose left to pull through. Just some more thoughts.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Brian

Hey Brian,
That's what I was thinking. With a bigger tab, you would want to mount the rams further out along the tab for leverage, which would require a longer ram or an extender block of some kind like you mentioned. I don't think the hose would be much of a problem, something that could easily be fixed. I know on my installation, I could easily come up with an extra few inches of hose buried inside the boat.

The only drawback to moving the mounting further out on the tab, would be reduced travel. But with a bigger tab, less angular motion is required to achieve a bigger effect.

Baja Daze- I couldn't have said it better myself. Still have you on my Insta-Trim 'wanted' list.:D

Did your tab installation utilize 3M 4200, 5200 or silicone? I know how well the 5200 series adheres to most anything but would be curious to know just how difficult it would be to pull some extra hose through the transom.

Brian

Hey Brian... I haven't bought tabs from you because after looking at my Scarab I noticed they were insta trim not bennets... remember me inquiring before??? an 1983 34' Scarab-III.... their single ram... I'd love to to testing and evaluation for you ... and offer my boat... let me know if I can help... DAVE

Brian,
Thanks man! :D

You're tabs are on my list as well, but until now(soon?) you only made replacements for Bennits. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Anyway, the transom holes on my boat are plugged with 5200, the really tough stuff...however, it's not impossible to remove. 3M makes an equally good remover which makes de-install a snap. Pull the hose through and then re-seal it.

P.S.
That introductory price looks great! Any chance in extending that to the new insta-trim replacements.

:cool:

Too bad,

I couldn't wait, I have the dual ram and they SUCK. Bought a set of 23" fountain planes. Anybody want to buy a set with indicators and pump?

Shooter, are the Fountain planes a 'rebadged' K-plane casting?

Any pics available?

B

I have the dual ram 12 x 11 on my 260 Baja. They work fine, just kinda slow. Would longer tabs cause less drag?

In a nutshell, yes, a longer tab will create less drag because you don't have to drop it as far in the water to gain the desired results.

Brian

P.S. the Insta-Trim design will be similar to the current Bennett replacement.

I don't know, maybe it's just me, but there is no comparison between the Instatrims and a "real" plane. I actually ripped (at speed) off mine on the Shooter when I had it. I run my boat in the ocean a lot and like to trim the drives and tabs against each other to "fly" level. With the 302, the tabs don't really become effective unless you put them way down or the boat put the nose up in the air. I boat in the NY harbor and bays and it is never smooth.

I think if you guys who like the instas or bennets had a tab like martinis or a plane you would never be able to go back IMHO.

My vote?

Make an adapter for the upper mount and include Bennett actuators in the upgrade. I don't think they are but around $60 each (and I see them on Ebay alot cheaper). Bennett makes two versions - hose thru transom and hose outside transom.

Shooter, that's a very interesting looking tab you have there, I've never seen that one before. Looks like the backing plate may be the same bolt pattern as a K-plane? You're right on the mark with your comparison, there's no substitute for cubic inches or surface area in this case.

mcollinstn- That's something I've contemplated before since the Bennetts are not only worthy but reasonably priced as well.

Thanks guys,

Brian

it's aftermarket, same maker for fountain, cig, and it's in the latest Livorsi catalog.

Thanks for the info Shooter.


Just for my own information. The tab that was ripped from your hull, did it take some of your gelcoat as well?
I know from experience just how tenacious a urethane based sealant/adhesive is. It can sometimes help and/or hinder.:D

Brian

It was a instatrim and just the flap part was half ripped off. Broke the "hydraulic" cylender.

Time to write the final chapter...
 

Well, here's the answer for you Instatrim owners. A dual ram tab that measures 19" overall and includes upper standoff brackets and a unique ram mount that allows the geometry to remain unaltered. This effectively takes care of the IT actuators rather 'short' stature. I've designed this kit to be a simple bolt-on. NO ADDITIONAL HOSE will have to be pulled through the transom. :D Simply spin your actuator 180 degrees while holding the clamp on your hose (a little heat helps) and all of a sudden the external hose becomes shrouded by the upper standoff bracket.

The pictures here will hopefully illustrate how the hose will 'snake' up inside the bracket and out of the top 'relief' area where it will enter your original long plastic clamshell. This makes a very clean installation.

Features:

- 304 stainless steel construction
- Virtually the same surface area as a 280S Kplane
- Powder coated
- Incredible strength
- Simple installation
- ALL required ss hardware is included
- Eliminates upper and lower 'stock' plastic mounts
- Smooooth bottom tab- no through bolted hardware on lower plate!


Brian :drink:

INSTA TRIM OWNERS- The water must be punished!
 

Here are your new toys... they will completely transform the way you boat!

A full 19" of trim tab fury. :D

Top view
 

another angle...

Re: An appeal to Insta Trim tab owners...
 

Other versions of this kit will be available shortly including an optional 'integrated' upper bracket and a dual ram version that is the same in every way as the dual ram Offshore Series but minus the center support rib. This will be a version for those who are not 'frequent fliers'. :D

I have a flavour for everyone and if what you see doesn't fit your application or taste...I'll build you something that does!

What chu' want? :drink:

Brian

Re: An appeal to Insta Trim tab owners...
 

Martini -
Your're doing an awesome job with those tabs - I have a few ideas I'd like to share with you, but I need to work out a few details.
When people are having cylinder failure, what is the problem? I've never had that happen. Is it seal failure in the cylinder's due to stress from the water they are pushing back? Especially with a larger tab (obviously that is why you would go to a double ram setup - isn't it?)

I also have an idea which might take care of that travel issue on the shorter cylinders - very crude thoughts right now, but I think it might work.

Anyone else want to chime in on failures of the ram's on their boat, I'd like to hear the situation and circumstances - always trying to build a better mousetrap.

I'll get some idea's together and contact you Martini.

Re: An appeal to Insta Trim tab owners...
 

Thanks for the kind words bouyhunter, but I'm only doing what I love! :D

It sounds like you're a 'thinker', I really enjoy exchanging ideas on this board.

As far as failures of actuators are concerned, or 'anything' for that matter, it most often has to do with the 'actual' condition of the product and whether it's been used within its' designed parameters. The InstaTrim actuators are a well designed product utilizing a cup style seal. I've spoken with a great many tab owners (of various brands) and a large majority of those people report that it is the trim tab plates that don't hold up, not the actuators. One person (you know who you are if you're reading ;) mentioned that his marina unknowingly, lifted his boat 'by the tabs', and the actuators were never compromised, his tabs were toast however. As you know, with boating, and ESPECIALLY with boating it seems, anything can and often does happen.

My take? Design an all around solid product that doesn't overrun the capabilities of previously proven components and never look back. Most people I deal with do not require a Kplane installation (or similar product) and if you don't need it...why pay for it? Especially when you have an existing trim tab kit installed that can offer the same benefits, when utilizing a Victory tab, at a fraction of the cost, not considering any installation headaches you may encounter with a Kplane style tab. ie. engine room clearance issues when trying to thru-bolt with TWIN engine installations, high marina installation prices etc. This is a kit that any boat owner can install him/herself in minimal time! Yes, I've had female customers. :cool: :drink:

Who said performance has to be expensive? :D

Talk to you soon.

Brian

Re: An appeal to Insta Trim tab owners...
 

Martini you mentioned the lenco's. do you have a system for them as well as the bennets?

Re: An appeal to Insta Trim tab owners...
 

Why yes, yes I do fruitta55!

The Victory Lenco upgrade for the single ram system consists of either a 15" or a 19" plate, depending on your application and/or specific needs. I also offer two different stainless steel upper actuator mounts. One is a stock replacement that offers a larger 'footprint' on your transom to better distribute the load and the other is a 'full' backing plate, much like a Kplane.

All Victory upgrade kits ( for Bennett, Lenco, InstaTrim, Kplane) come complete with larger stainless steel mounting hardware, simple instructions and a 100% money back guarantee. There is nothing else to buy. If you're not satisfied with your purchase, send them back for a full refund!

Brian