Trim tabs for Campion 542

[MikePA]

Any recommendations on type/brand? Thanks!

 

[trophywife]

bennet hydrolic, had mine for over ten years now. A lil more dough but worth it. IMHO

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

I just put Bennett electric bolt on my boat. So far pretty awesome! Instant response and no extra hydraulic pump on board.

 

[Ringo]

Bennett Bolt Electric 12 x 9 with the auto-retract switch. Installed two years ago and am very happy with them.

 

[ericl]

Bigger is better; they add planing surface.

 

[Rayvon]

My son added electric tabs to his 542 (Lenco) I think.Made a huge difference to the ride.

 

[MikePA]

Thanks guys, got some research to do!

 

[baddogg]

I installed Bennett Bolt Electric as well. Work great

 

[seahorse]

I put the Bennett hydraulic trim tabs on myself on my 2000 542 Campion and they made a huge difference. I had friends with the electric ones and they love them, much easier to install.

 

[mikep]

Take a serious look at interceptor tabs.....cool technology and very low profile.

 

[MikePA]

Take a serious look at interceptor tabs.....cool technology and very low profile.

Interesting.. never heard of these. Ant experience with them?

 

[mikep]

Never used them but have herd good things from a local tech. They would be on my latest build if I knew about them 6 months ago.

 

[MikePA]

Crap.. I ended up choosing the bolt electrics from Bennett... As I was going install I realized the tab was going to interfere with the rotation of my kicker when they motor is trimmed fully down.. damnit! I googled trim tabs on Campion 542's and it looks like most people have the same set up and just never trim the kicker all the way down?

 

[noluck]

Crap.. I ended up choosing the bolt electrics from Bennett... As I was going install I realized the tab was going to interfere with the rotation of my kicker when they motor is trimmed fully down.. damnit! I googled trim tabs on Campion 542's and it looks like most people have the same set up and just never trim the kicker all the way down?

there should be a limit pin or bolt for the kicker that you can adjust so it stops clear of the tab

 

[MikePA]

there should be a limit pin or bolt for the kicker that you can adjust so it stops clear of the tab

There is, if I have it on the furthest setting it clears the trim tab. Is the efficiency of the kicker still good in this position?

 

[Pineapple Express]

There is, if I have it on the furthest setting it clears the trim tab. Is the efficiency of the kicker still good in this position?

Post a pic of the kicker and boat looking from the side. For best efficiency you want the kicker propeller shaft parallel to the surface of the water....lots of guys run their kickers waaaaaayyyyyy down which is not good for efficiency.

 

[Ringo]

I have the same hull as yours and the bolt trim tabs. Never had issues with the kicker hitting the plates. I get best efficiency when kicker is 80-90% down. Going all the way down and then 4-5 clicks up. Adjust based on the tide, current and load/number of people onboard.

 

[MikePA]

I have the same hull as yours and the bolt trim tabs. Never had issues with the kicker hitting the plates. I get best efficiency when kicker is 80-90% down. Going all the way down and then 4-5 clicks up. Adjust based on the tide, current and load/number of people onboard.

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Post a pic of the kicker and boat looking from the side. For best efficiency you want the kicker propeller shaft parallel to the surface of the water....lots of guys run their kickers waaaaaayyyyyy down which is not good for efficiency.

Thanks guys. Ill post a pic when I get home this afternoon. Looking at your pics.. I think your kicker is mounted a little closer to the main then mine, mine is further out to the left which encroaches on the tab.

 

[bigbruce]

What width of tab did you get? When I had my 542, I had the 9" tabs (like others above) installed and there were no issues with clearance of the kicker.
The 9" tabs were certainly sufficient from a performance standpoint.

 

[noluck]

There is, if I have it on the furthest setting it clears the trim tab. Is the efficiency of the kicker still good in this position?

yes it is fine,