Luna Sea Update

[Luna Sea 5]

well, nothing works out the first time.  On the way to the marina, one of my straps broke.  No big deal.

Launched into very flat seas, like glass.  Got her up to 48 mph with 2 men and a full tank of gas.  Felt good.

On my way back to the slip, I lost one of my trim tabs.  Yes, this happend last season as well, if you guys remember the post.  The same one fell off again.  Thank you Coty Marine  . 

I am not taking the boat out of the water to fix it.  I called Coty and left them a message to ship me another trim tab, just the plate with screws.  Not sure if they are going to charge me, but I am sure they will.  When I get there return call, I will update everyone.

If or When I get it, I will be attempting to fix it dock side on my own.  It is only 4 screws to the boat, and 2 to the hydraulic. It shouldn't be too difficult but I will be working upside down, hanging off the transom and hands in 45 degree water.  We will see..

OH WELL.. nothing, nothing, nothing works the first time.  The story of boating.

[IrishAyes]

You will get water intrusion when you remove the screws when the boat is in the water. Is this a good idea? You have a trailer, if it was me, I would pull it out and repair it on land using 5200 sealant.

[CapBob]

Nick

That S*CKS......but I agree with Joe, put her on the trailer.....do it calmly and not in a rush, amen to the 5200

[wb]

   much easier on the trailer may need to slide her back a bit depending on how she sits on it....

[shadyvito]

Boats take some dedication. They seem like money pits but anything worth having is and is also a lot of work.  I also think that these guys are right, put it on the trailer.  I look at it this way.  I could work on my car in my driveway in the cold, on the cold ground, squished under the car or I can go to my dad's shop and put it on the lift in the heat. If I do it in my driveway and start getting cold and irritable, I'm going to rush the job and half-a** it.

[Luna Sea 5]

I just sent some email out to see if a mechanic can replace both of them for me, and what price he will charge.  I did some research.  My tabs are 9 X 7, which seem very small.  Coty Marine claims that they are small because I have twin engines.  I think there wrong.  With the weight of a 26' boat with a full load and full of fuel, I don't think the small tabs can handle the weight.  In rough water, you supposed to trim the boat so it plows through the waves...  this is all good if the tabs are strong enough to take the pounding.  If there is anyone out there that wants to make some money, let me know.

[CapBob]

Nick

Check this out:

http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/size1.htm

[mboy]

Go hear and speak to them directly.
I bet they send you a new tab for free if you explain to Tom what happened. You could easily install the tab yourself. I am doing mine (with some help) in 2 weeks.

I am the least handy person on this board and could probably be able to fix yours on my own. (not do full install of new tabs tho).

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/forum-view.asp?fid=4

I am installing 10x12 on mine.

For your boat, you should have at least 18x12 possibly 30x12 on there.

Never heard of 9x7.  Not sure Bennett even makes those.

[GregB]

that sucks man!! definately pull it out of the water. I just got my bennett m120 tab kit today in the mail. Ill be on mine this week. I'll let you know how hard it is to install. It looks fairly easy??

[mboy]

Greg, that is what I am installing. It doesn't look super difficult. I know the people helping me will have ZERO trouble with it. Myself, I could probably do it on my own, but no where near comfortable with my skills to attempt alone if I don't have to.

[GregB]

Cool, I will be starting it after work one night this week. My install video was missing from the box but I looked on the website and I think I can manage.(I hope). Ill start a thread when I start and take a few pics and share my mistakes with you so you don't make the same ones. I don't wanna hijack this thread.

[mboy]

Cool. I still have the video tape if you need it.

I don't have any VCR's connected anymore, so I can't really watch it. It is yours if you want/need it.

[Luna Sea 5]

Mike, i am in no rush. I will wait for you.  I have to see what I can fit, but they were def. way to small for the boat.  I ran down there today to take a measurment.

Are the other parts universal.  All I need is the blade and the actuator.  If everything else is universal, I don't need to run the wires from the switches. 

[Luna Sea 5]

Nick

Check this out:

http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/size1.htm

great site.. mine are def. too small

[mboy]

If they are Bennetts, they are all the same.

I would measure yours 1st (pull the boat for a couple of hours).
See what you have, then talk to the guy over Bennett.

I would def make sure you don't have any exposed holes right now because if you are missing the actuator and tab itself, you have got some problems.

What wil wind up happening I think is you will need to fill your current screw holes with epoxy, then redrill them to mount the new tab/actuator (depending on what is lef), then use a boat load (no pun intended) of 5200 to seal those suckers on there.


Were the tabs factory or installed by Coty?

If by Coty, you got f*cked.

[Luna Sea 5]

Coty installed them..  Of course...  At the moment, the actuator is attached to the boat, but on the opposite end where the screws of the actuator attaches to the plate, that part is missing along with the place. When I drive, I have a spray of water off the side which is the actuator hanging in the water.  I don't think I want to spend over $700 on Bennits.  I may get a different make, but def. larger.

[mboy]

If they are Bennett now, then you should just be able to get the larger tab itself and use the actuator.

Sometimes, they us e a dummy actuator just for added strength in holding the tab on.

[PeggyLee]

NICK,Are going to take this up with Coty since they installed or are you giving them a pass on this one ?

[Luna Sea 5]

NICK,Are going to take this up with Coty since they installed or are you giving them a pass on this one ?

I left them a message on Saturday. NO return call as of yet.  At this point, I don't even want to bother with them.  So far, I went through 2 trim tabs, 3 floor pumps, 1 raw water washdown bump, 3 bilge pumps, and now my fresh water pump and floor pump again don't work.  I honestly think they are replaceing them with used pumps and charging me full price.

I need to stick to the promise I made to myself, I have to stay away from them. 

[PeggyLee]

I know, keep the promise to yourself. Do not let others screw up your plan. It will all work out.Do it right.