Marine Accessories

Trim Tabs

Boats achieve their best possible running attitude at or near full speed and lightly loaded. As the boat slows from maximum speed it will begin to settle at the stern or “squat”. And as every boater has experienced, weight can vary to extremes by adding passengers, fuel, and gear. Uneven weight distribution makes the boat harder to handle, difficult to get up on plane, and usually results in some listing to port or starboard.

Large and small boats benefit from trim tabs for the same reasons—they get the boat out of the hole and on plane quickly, they correct for uneven weight distribution, improve speed, safety, and overall boat performance. A common complaint is “I only have two speeds—trolling and full throttle.” With trim tabs a boat
can perform at intermediate speeds while staying on plane this is where Bennett Trim Tabs will help.

The Benefits of Adding Trim Tabs
• Performance—Trim tabs increase speed, reduce pounding, correct listing, eliminate porpoising and offset prop torque.
• Efficiency—Reduce fuel consumption, reduce engine laboring, and eliminate squatting.
• Safety—Improve visibility, reduce wake size, improve handling, and reduce hull stress.

How They Work and What They Do
Trim tabs usually consist of two adjustable stainless steel planes mounted at the transom of the boat. Controlled by a hydraulic power unit, the tabs can move up and down when activated by the boater.

Think ailerons and elevators on an airplane. Trim tabs do much the same thing for a boat. They provide lift in order to compensate for changes in speed, weight distribution, and water conditions. When they are deflected downward, the water force on the trim tab creates upward pressure, raising the stern and reducing hull resistance. The surface area of the tab, the angle of deflection, and the speed of the boat all contribute to greater lift.

Getting on Plane
In order to get on plane faster, boaters often have to ask passengers to move forward. With the additional lift from the trim tabs, the boat will spend less time operating in the inefficient transition period before planing. The engine labors less, the boat gets better fuel economy, and passengers can sit where they please.

Independent Control
Because trim tabs are mounted on both sides of the vessel’s stern and can be operated independently, the
vessel’s side to side trim may be controlled by deflecting one side more than the other. This independent control of the tabs is essential in correcting for port or starboard lists.

Trim Tabs and Trailered Boats
Smaller boats will feel the benefits of trim tabs to an even greater extent than larger boats. Bass boats with high-pitch props can use the additional lift for an improved hole-shot. When pulling heavier skiers or multiple skiers, trim tabs provide the lift without the need for additional horsepower.

Things to Consider When Buying Trim Tabs
Installing undersized trim tabs is one of the more common mistakes. A tab that is too small will have to be deflected more in order to create sufficient lift. Just remember, the larger the trim tab, the more lift it will produce with the least amount of drag. As a rule of thumb, the largest trim tab that will comfortably fit on the transom will be the most efficient.
Choose about one inch of trim tab span for every foot of boat length. For example if your boat is 19-24’ in length, you’ll want a trim tab with an 18-24” span Bennett Trim Tabs has a great selection of trim tabs

The best Personal Flotation Device (PFD)such as Mustang Life Jackets is the one you wear. That’s why choosing the PFD that best fits your favorite water sports activity is important. Foam vests are great for active in-the-water adventures while inflatable PFDs are quickly becoming commonplace in most other marine activities. Manually inflating PFDs are a good choice for people who are comfortable in the water and expect to be spending some time in it, such as paddlers or river fishermen. If you don?t expect to end up in the water, but want the confidence of knowing that your PFD will inflate automatically in seconds if the unexpected happens, an automatic inflatable PFD is your best choice . Our exclusive HIT? (Hydrostatic Inflator Technology) automatic inflatable PFDs are perfect if you spend time in high humidity or wet weather.

Manual inflatable PFDs inflate by pulling the jerk tab that hangs from the PFD at waist-height whereas automatic inflatable PFDs inflate when immersed in water (or by manually pulling the jerk tab). All of our Inflatable PFDs provide 35 lb buoyancy when inflated and at least 3 1/4″ of freeboard (distance between the mouth and the surface of the water). Remember to check your inflatable PFD regularly to ensure it is in good working order and ready to be called into action when needed.

Boss Audio makes great speakers for your boat such as the MR650 6.5″  2-way marine speakers, the MR650 feature an outboard crossover which is contoured on its inner surface to mount snugly and secdurely to the rear housing an of course they are waterproof speakers.

If your ever wondering what the most popular towables are on the lakes today, all you need to do is go to one of your large local lakes and watch the tubes pass you. Chances are very strong that most of the towables that you see on the lake are Sportsstuff brand tubes. Chances are also very strong that out of the Sportsstuff towables, the most popular series will be the Mable series.

Sportsstuff Super Mable, Big Mable, Mable and Great Big Mable are among the very best towables on the market today. The extreme quality and versatility of the Mable towables is what makes these tubes so popular. Each Mable tubes has multiple tow points, an abundance of handles and foam pads for comfort.

It appears to me, that the Big Mable towable may be the most widely seen tube on the lakes today. The cost for this two-person tube is fairly inexpensive for the quality that is provided. With the Big Mable tube you can ride it while kneeling while using the high tow point, or ride it sitting on your bottom. The Big Mable has plenty of comfortable handles for holding onto while your gliding across the water.

In my opinion the second most popular tube that you’ll find on the lakes is the Super Mable tube. The Super Mable is a three-person tube that also has two tow points. The Super Mable can be rode while kneeling or on your bottom as well. The Super Mable is a great tube for both beginners and advanced tubers.

With either the Big Mable or the Super Mable tubes you may want to consider using a 4 person towable rope. This is a much better quality rope that should last you a very long time if taken care of. Airhead and Sportsstuff both make a very good quality four person tow rope.

So if you’re in search of a great tube, you can’t go wrong with either the Sportsstuff Big Mable, Super Mable or the Great Big Mable towables.

Have a great time on the water this summe with your Inflatable Toys.

It sure is funny when you talk to people who have been out fishing all day long and you talk to them and find out that the people who caught fish used a fishfinder and the people who did not use a fishfinder did not even get a bite but they lost a lot of hooks because they were fishing where they thought their would be fish.  If you are a person who like to fish a lot you will have a lot more fun using a fishfinder and catch a lot more fish.

Prepare for the most advanced action towables in history with the new CHARIOT WARBIRD series from SPORTSSTUFF. Their wide wingspans allow you to challenge even the toughest wake, while remaining some of the most stable rides on the water as their high backrests and multiple handles keep you in place. With a simple switch of the innovative dual tow points the CHARIOT WARBIRDS can be towed in the opposite direction, transforming them into a completely different ride. With the addition of the lounge canopy (sold separately) the CHARIOT WARBIRD changes into a shaded, floating lounge. No matter if you are in the mood for action or relaxation, the CHARIOT WARBIRDS have it all for having fun with inflatable water sports.

The summer is the best season to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine, but let’s face it, we all like to bring our cell phones, iPods, and portable media devices with us. There aren’t a whole lot of wall outlets available outdoors, but there is a definite abundance of sunshine. Thus, portable solar panels are a great solution for powering our portable electronics and appliances while we’re enjoying the outdoors. It wouldn’t have been possible to find quality portable solar panels a decade ago, but a technology has become greener, solar energy has become much more efficient. Where a decade ago it would have taken a solar panel the size of an office desk to charge a cell phone, now there are foldable solar panels no larger than a notebook and capable of 12 volt output. Portable solar panels are lightweight and more than ideal for all kinds of summer activities including boating, camping, and backpacking.

As solar energy technology continues to advance, there will be even more solar powered devices that start appearing on the market. In addition, these devices will just continue to become more compact and even more efficient.

The days of Bandit running from heat are long gone, but the usefulness of CB radios has not gone the way of Trans Ams and bell bottom pants. These two-way communications devices still serve a purpose in many arenas today. In fact, they are favored by some for their effectiveness, affordability and ease of use.

There are many ways that individuals and businesses can put CB radios to work in their lives. Some of the more common uses for Citizens’ Band radios today are shown below.

Family use - CB radios are still rather popular among families that want to stay in touch. A base station set up at a home can provide a very reliable and affordable way for two-way communication to occur. When family members are equipped with hand-held CBs while they are out, there’s no need to pay for cell phone minutes to check in.

Business use - Service based companies still often use hand-held CB radios to keep in touch with workers in the field. This alternative can be as reliable and is often more affordable than other two-way communication options today.

Remote location use - In areas where telephones and cell phones are not inclined to work, a CB setup with a base station will. While the CB might not provide for long-distance communication, it can keep people in remote locations in close contact with each other when you are out on the lake a Cobra CB Radio is a must.

Emergency use - CB radios are still very popular devices for emergency use. Many of today’s more popular models come with access to emergency weather stations. CBs are often effective during and after storms with other forms of communication are out.

CB radios might not be as widespread in use as they once were, but they still serve a valuable purpose for those who use them. This reliable form of communication remains affordable and does not come with monthly access fees.

Marine GPS systems have become most boaters’ best friend. Depending on the reasons you need GPS Navigation, they can make it easy to find your way back to shore in unknown waters, navigate at night, and find large fish or avoid debris. History of portable Marine GPS: While it wasn’t that long ago that boaters or mariners consulted star charts and latitude/longitude numbers to figure out their way back to land, Marine GPS navigation changed the need for the inaccurate tracking system that some could not figure out. GPS or global positioning systems came into vogue after the launch of satellites that could send a signal of latitude and longitude locations to figure exactly where anything was back on Earth.

This principal has been used in fishing sonars and marine GPS systems, that use anywhere from 12 to 24 satellites to figure out positioning. Why Using Marine GPS Navigation Systems? The answer is simple, it is more accurate, less hassle than previous methods to find out where you are on the open sea or any body of water for that matter. Also, the most important reason is for safety. Not only can it keep you from getting lost, but you can chart ways around tropical storms at sea, or alternate routes, for whatever reason.

The Future of Marine GPS: These GPS systems continue to get more sophisticated, and come in hand-held models, all the way up to marine GPS navigation lap top computers. Depending on the functions you want, you can find a marine GPS that can do whatever you want it to, when it comes to navigation, topography in foreign water bodies, or take it hiking and camping with you, if it is a hand-held portable marine GPS. Some of the larger cruisers and yachts use it to “auto-pilot” a ship, and navigate back to port in the dark of night. Advice On

Buying a Marine GPS: Be sure and research all of the models and functions for the type of Marine GPS navigation you are going to be doing. In other words, certain factors, like whether it will be for river fishing or ocean adventures can determine the model you need and the number of functions. If you are looking for a fish finder, you may not need an expensive Marine GPS system with all kinds of bells and whistles. Commercial fishermen, for example, would need them to not only get them back to shore, avoid the paths of storms, and find fish, but might need alarms for shallow reefs or other alarms where a normal recreational fisherman might not need these features.

Marine GPS navigation systems have gotten to be almost a requirement for all types of water navigation, and finding a marine GPS unit is easy at retailers, but especially online, where the choices are unlimited. As more manufacturers have gotten into the GPS systems, even cell phones are GPS capable now. It’s all a matter of the number of functions you need for what you are going to be doing, when it comes to marine GPS navigation.

The Transducer and Cone Angles

The Transducer is attached to your fishfinder with a small cable. It turns the electrical signal from the transmitter on your fishfinder, turns it into sonar or a sound wave and beams it out in the shape of a cone. The cone angle is simply the wideness of coverage in the water. The wider the cone angle - the greater the coverage. Fishfinder cone angles vary from model to model so be sure to have a good look at all the features on the model you are considering.

Transducers are usually mounted in the water on the trolling motor and away from engines and obstructions. Select a transducer that suits your unique situation - specifically when it comes to installations. Some models have higher frequencies that provide superior resolution, different cone angles and so on. One thing to pay close attention to is that your frequency is the same as your sonar measured in KHZ.

Types of Installations

The way your unit is installed in your boat is something you’ll want to pay close attention to as well. Transom Mount transducers usually associated with stern-drive and outboard powered boats. Other types are mounted through the hull and as rule needs to be a high frequency model still others are mounted on your electric trolling motor.  All types of Tranducers can be found on most web seites under marine accessories.