Bennett Marine Premier Line Systems - Manual (Page 2)

Congratulations,
you are the owner of Bennett’s Premier SST System —
the most prestigious trimming system in the world. Bennett Marine is recognized
worldwide for durability, strength, and unparalleled customer satisfaction.
How to Use Your SST Trim Tab System
Getting and Staying Trimmed
Your vessel will “break over” or plane at a particular speed. This speed is
determined by weight distribution, water conditions, etc. Your SST trim tabs
enable you to plane at lower speeds. By depressing the helm control in the
“Bow Down” position, your trim tabs move down. This will raise your stern
and lower your bow, getting you up on plane faster and increasing your speed.
Your Vessel’s Optimum Attitude
Determine your optimum attitude by conducting this test: Get out and run at
full speed in calm water. Notice the bow in relation to the horizon. This should
be your best running attitude. You can use your trim tabs to recreate this “optimum
attitude,” correcting for changes in weight distribution, speed and water conditions.
Getting Used to the “Feel” of Your Tabs
When learning to use the SST, begin by pressing the helm control in half-second bursts,
allowing time between corrections for gradual trimming. Do not over-trim. An over-trimmed vessel
will “plow” or “bow-steer.” If you over-trim, simply press “BOW UP” and the bow will rise.
Trimming From a Bridge or Tower
When steering from a bridge or tower, a good trimming method is to watch the bow spray, stern wake, or the rooster tail. An untrimmed vessel will
produce spray farther aft of the bow and it will produce a larger wake. When trimmed, the bow spray is farther forward, the wake is reduced, and
the rooster tail is smaller and farther behind the boat. You’ll also notice that the engine RPM may increase when the boat is properly trimmed.
Running in Rough Water
When running in a chop, press “BOW DOWN”. This will bring the “V” of the hull in contact with the waves rather than having the waves pound the
flatter portion of the hull and your passengers. In a following sea or when running an inlet, the trim tabs should be fully retracted for maximum
rudder response.
Correcting for a “Listing” Condition
The SST trim tabs may be operated individually so that you can correct for a “listing” condition. Your control is designed so that you can use it
“intuitively.” Do not think about what the trim tabs are doing, just concentrate on your bow. If the port bow is high, push the port-side “Bow Down”
direction. If the starboard bow is high, push the starboard side “Bow Down” direction until the “listing” condition is corrected.
Safety Precautions
• Do not over-trim, particularly at high speeds as the bow may dig in and wave action may cause the vessel to veer.
• While underway, do not move one trim tab significantly farther down than the other as undesirable listing could occur.
• For best maneuverability, trim tabs should be fully retracted in a following sea, or when running an inlet.
• Improper use of trim tabs can cause an unexpected attitude change of vessel, which could lead to an unsafe condition.
The SST System will have a significant effect on the operation and versatility of the vessel. The best learning method is to spend time getting
familiar with your vessel’s reaction to trim tabs. Always operate your vessel with safety first in mind.
2 P-SST-S