KEY WEST BAY/REEF TRIM TAB QUERY

[Old Dog]

Does anyone have a Key West Bay/Reef with trim tabs? I have a KW BR 19-6 and I am thinking about adding trim tabs but I think the swim platform might get in the way. Anyone have any experience with this?
Thanks,
OD

[FUTCHCAIRO]

HEY DON, YOU GONNA LEARN HOW TO SWIM AND SKI WITH THAT PLATFORM ON YOUR BOAT. I HAD TABS AND PLATFORM ON THE AQAUASPORT THAT I HAD BUT DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE KEY BEST. E-MAIL KW AND ASK THEM. GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU, BEEN A WHILE.
EARL SEMPER FI

[Old Dog]

Hi Earl, good to hear from you. I think I will try to contact KW Monday; previous attempts have not always been successful. The trout are starting to hit well, but I guess you know that.
OD

[Ranaman]

Don, My fishing buddy Larry has a 216 BR with Tabs and we have no problems with the swim platform I'll look this weekend at the configuration, or come see for yourself we'll be in carrabelle fishing theREd-Trout shootout this weekend!
-Joe

[Old Dog]

Thanks Ranaman. I'm sure curious about the type of tab he's got and how it is attached. I'm thinking about Lectrotabs. I have heard great reports about them and have a friend that just installed them on his Sea Pro and really likes them.

I'll be fishing the Apalachicola area Thursday and Friday, but we'll head back late Friday, otherwise I'd probably come for a look-see. Can you take a photo?
OD

[blue22]

Let me know what you find out on this. I have a 186 BR and have debated the same thing. Old Dog I'm also considering a jack plate, do you have one?

[Ranaman]

Don I'll get some pics this weekend! good luck thurs and fri! Joe

[Steve Stinson]

Don - If you are talking about Bennett trim tabs, contact Tom McGowen with Bennett. He has a lot of options for mounting them on various hulls. He was able to send me some hardware to mount the tabs on my Sea Pro without access to the inside of the transom on one side.

The tabs were my favorite option on that boat. You will enjoy them.

- Steve Stinson

[Old Dog]

Blue22, I added the CMC jack plate this year and love it. http://cook-mfg.net/cart/index.php?main ... 259b3d4af8

Steve, I have heard great things about the Bennetts, but a friend of mine went with the "Lectrotabs," (electric trim tabs) for his Sea Pro and raves about them so I thought I'd try them too and ordered some yesterday. I know Bennett customer service is great butI have to say the same for the Lectrotab folks too as they have really worked with me lately to answer any questions I had. I elected to go with the wireless remote feature for controlling the tabs. No wires to run from the transom to the console.

http://www.lectrotab.com/Products/Products_Controls.htm

OD

[Old Dog]

Got the LECTROTABS in today. I'll try them out in the morning.
OD
http://www.lectrotab.com/default.htm

.
The swim platform proved not to be much of a problem. Just had to cut out a small portion of the support deal that comes down the back of the hull.


.
The switch on the console is a remote control switch with an antenna that sends a signal aft to a control box. No wires to run from the back of the boat to the console.


.
The junction box has an antenna to receive input from the remote switch on the console. It's mounted high and dry in the battery compartment.

[RiverRunner]

THat's NICE!!!

[Ranaman]

Good Deal Don!! Glad you got it figured out!!

[Spot on]

old dog i also have a kw-196 i see you have a suzuki i was wondering what size motor and prop you were running i have yahama 4-stroke 115 with a 17" pitch prop and have been thinking about dropping to a 15" to get out the hole better the boat is not bad now with 2 people but with 4 it is a little slow out of the hole.

thanks

[Old Dog]

Spot, I'm not sure what the pitch on my prop is, but I keep thinking it might be 14X20? I have the Suzuki 140 and it gets up on plane fast enough to suit me. I tried the trim tabs out today and was very pleased. I was also pleased with the limit of trout and the 20 inch red that I caught while taking breaks from getting checked out on the tabs.
OD