Hey guys,
It's been real quiet in the Powerquest section lately so I figured I'd start a thread. I'm gonna put on trim tabs and mechanical indicaters this spring. I'm leaning towards the Bennett sport tabs 12x16. I have a 98 260. I was gonna check out the Lenco electric ones but no one makes mechanical indicaters for them. I think the K-planes would be over kill on this boat. Plus I'm too cheap! Has anybody put on mechanical indicater's. Is it a hard job to do? Any tips for the do it yourselfer? Should I go for the drive gauge too?

Gary, I think you can easily put a drive indicator in your boat and connect it up to the Merc system for readings. Did your boat not come with a drive trim indicator?

The "K" planes would be overkill. The Bennett tabs are just fine for your boat. Thats what I have on my 280 and they include the LED guage (which are very difficult to read in the Sun). Some type of indicator is required and I would assume that the non mechanical type is easier to install.

Not to familiar with the installs as they were standard on the 280


Jeff

It should not be too hard. The hardest thing would be boring holes in the transom and cutting a square hole out in the dash. You have to take precautions like taping up the cut in order to not have the gelcoat chip and sealing the entry points properly. I would go with the drive indicator too why not run a third cable when you are running two anyhow.

gary, hows it going? today we hit 40 degrees almost nice enough to wash and wax big red. the lake hasn't even froze over.thinking about taking a weekend in june and taking atrip down the hudson, around manhattan and out into the sound. what do you think? my buddy ken wants to take his 26 velocity too.

timbo,
It's about time you stopped lurking and started posting! That sounds like a great trip. Let me know I could meet you in the sound!
HP500,
My boat does have a drive indicater, I was just figuring if I was going with mechanical tab indicaters I should just get the drive also. Then I could use the space of the drive gauge for maybe a boost gauge down the road!
Raypanic,
That's what I was figuring, what's one more hole. The mechanicals are more acurate anyway. Measure twice cut once!

My 99 38 needs both cables and brackets replaced. PQ sold them to me at their cost, which save me a ton of money. Could not talk Mark into installing them though. I believe they no longer use the gaffrig style that mounts on the gimble. They are junk. They lasted just over their 1 year warranty. Not looking forward to installing them though. Any advice or volunteers welcome though.

jmackin111,
I was looking at the Stainless Marine set-up. I'm gonna check them out at the Miami boat show. They also have the kit for the Bennett tabs. Do you trailer your boat? Or do you leave it in? Salt of fresh? Just wondering why they would not last for more than a year.

There is a bracket that breaks and the cables kink up. Ive seen it alot on boats when I was looking for used boats. I think Gaffrig quit making them, Mark had to special order them. Get the ones that hook right to the trim cylinder not the gimble. All the wires and cables are all zip tied together and looks like I may have to cut the existing ones and leave them. I'll know more when I take a better look at them.

The question is????????? Jimmy,why aren't you at work????????? I think I know where you can get some parts real cheap.... Just taking up space in the garage...kaama82

You know how it is when your a big shooter and don't have too.