Best ride in choppy conditions

[pjbrownva]

A little late to the party with a reply... but I picked up my '84 V20 this summer, and already had Bennet trim tabs that I bought on hand, so I installed them before I ever took her out.

Huge, huge difference (Thanks WellcraftV20)... it was thanks to here and one other board (THT)... that I learned just how important they are.

Some people complain that these boats pound in a chop... and they do... if you don't have trim tabs.

I marked everything with masking tape and a sharpie. Measured and did a trial-run dry fit. Checked and re-checked.... then I stopped, and returned the next day (wanted to sleep on it!)... did another dry fit, rechecked everything, and then out came the drill with cobalt bits. A bit scary, but it came out well.

I had a giant tube of 5200 as well -- in a caulk gun -- and was careful to seal everything!

It was well worth it. I've been in 2-4 ft seas with an occasional 5 foot swell, and it's been fine.... had to slow down to about 20 mph, and back off the throttle at the top of the 5 footers, so that I could easy down the back side of them, but the 2-4 footers only required steering to "thread" my way through them, but the ride was fine and comfortable... other than some occasional spray.

TRIM TABS... when I put them up, it was awful.... they are well worth the money. I got mine from Hodges marine... they were drop-shipped to me directly from Bennet (I think!)... and the price at Hodges was SIGNFICANTLY lower than at some other dealers.