Bennett Trim Tab Installation

Kelly,
While marine plywood (if that is what C-Dory is using there now) is stronger than balsa core for screw placement, the ply orientation of the plywood makes for more catastrophic damage since the water leaks parallel to the plys and will encompass a large area of the transom before being detected.

I really think it's not too much trouble to put some epoxy liner in those holes considering the possible consequences of not doing so.

Just another opinion,

John
 
Thanks John and Papillon for your input. I have had a process described to me that involves drilling a pilot hole then doing a relief cut in the core that leaves the outside fibreglass in place. One would then fill the hole with fast cure epoxy and then drill the epoxy to install the screw. I guess that is the safest solution, but unsure of it's strength.

Kelly
 
Kelly,

I think the epoxy plug technique is very important for a submerged part. You can get or mix some type of filler spheres to make the epoxy easier to screw into. Dr. Bob of Thataway is kind of an expert on that as well as others here.

Looking at the photos of the water damage to the plywood in the last CD25 that Dr.Bob fixed up shows how a small leak can spread way out.

As far as the stregth goes, there is nothing stronger to my knowledge. Much stronger than just setting screws in plywood. You might call a marine supplier to ask if it would be easier to screw into a "filled" epoxy - one with softer spheres mixed in to allow easier screw penetration.

John
 
9X12BennettTabs.jpg

The 9 X 12 Bennett Trim Tabs made a whole new boat out of the JMR II. No more smack smack smack when running in a 1-2 foot chop! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
 
Ain't that the truth. The other thing I've found is that milage increases
with the tabs down. Always a plus when a more comfortable ride is
efficient as well.

Mike
 
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