Trim Tabs??

[Title Wave]

I have a 21' walk around and I'm thinking about adding trim tabs. What do you guys have. One site seems to favor Bennet's. Boat dealers/yards say that for a 21' boat I shouldn't need them and if I did, I should go with the Lenco's because they have less parts to break. I've also been told that boat yards favor Lenco's because they are easier for them to install, not necessarily because they are better.

[74Formula233]

One site seems to favor Bennetts simply because a "representative from Bennett" has a home there and no Lenco representative does. Therefore, there seems to be a following amongst those that cannot think for themselves.

That said, BOTH Bennetts and Lencos, IMO are great Tabs, and I would only choose from these 2 brands.

I personally chose Lencos, because they were VERY easy to install, I didn't have to find a home for another hydraulic setup, and I have faith in the Electric Tabs, even though some guys have an inherent fear of putting an electric motor (however well-sealed it is) in the water.

I am very happy with them so far, the response and operation is great. I also bought the "Cadillac" version with the Trim Indicators and Auto Retract. I recommend you spend the extra money on these features the first time, rather than wish you had them later (both brands have these features).

Also, ANY boat will benefit from trim tabs, and once you install them, you will wonder why you hadn't done it sooner

Good luck, do your research, and be objective when listening to people's opinions....you will make the right choice if you do.

[AhiSlayer]

Yokwe! Wave dude
I have a 23 Mako with a deep v hull. When I run in the lagoon and the wave and current is a certain way I press the trim tab switch to level the boat. or when a big marlin is tied to one side, the trim tabs level the ride, or when a fat guy is tilting the boat.

That's about it. I see no real gas savings with them. I see no real hole shot difference. They do a good job as levelers though.

Why do you want them?

Slayer

[Title Wave]

Slayer,
I'm looking at them because my boat lists to port. I think it my be a prop issue so I'm going to try that first when the weather warms up, which may not be until August the way it's been around here lately!

Formie,
I know what you mean about that "pack" mentality.

[pitch bait]

What kind of power is in there im not sure your props are going to make it list. Does it list at the dock in the slip, or only when you are running? Has it always done this or did it just recently started. Im going to say your boat is ballanced wrong or has something under the hull causing more drag on that side of the hull. Do you have those dolphins that go on the the lower unit of an outboard or i/o? If it is an out board boat the outboard could be mounted unlevel. Tell me alittle more about the situation I believe I can help you narrow it down alittle.

[Miles Offshore]

Ive had 3 sets of bennetts over the last 25 years and the only problem Ive had was a blown fuse and I did have a joy stick go bad on my first set. 24" planes on my old mako and my seacraft will only take 12" but regardless of what brand you buy get the largest you can get. the more metal per sq inch the better. running into those head seas you can put that bow down a little or a lot and get her trimmed out right to get optimum atitude and mpg/knots/rpms. also great for the fat guy moving around to grab that cool one out of the icebox. good luck-

[Title Wave]

Thanks Pitch,
It has a 150 2 stroke yamaha. Boat is level when at rest. I notice it start to list when going above 10 MPH?? It doesn't always happen. It will sometimes level off if I come to a stop and start off again. It doesn't do it all the time. Wierd!! The boat is currently at the boat yard for winter storage. They told me that when they pressure washed the hull at the end of last season, some of the bottom paint came off in sheets. It will be repainted. I'm not going to the expense of striping off the paint and reprepping the bottom unless I have to. I'm going to wait and see how the new paint holds up. Boat is a 2003 and has been used two seasons. I bought the boat as a demo and it came with the bottom painted. They must have done a bad job. I bought it far from me, so it might end up being cheaper money and time wise to do it near me then to bring it back for them to do it right, which they may not even want to do. I would try to do it myself, but I don't have the time or a place to do it.

[Lil' Tunny]

I have the Lenco, they are exactly one year old and haven't let me down, yet. Towards the end of last season, the port side tab has gotten a lot louder than the other when trimming up/down. Also the switch for that tab doesn't always work, I often have to tap it a couple times to hear the actuator start running. I plan to fix it this spring before she goes in. I do believe it is still under warranty, and always heard positive things about lenco's customer service.
Installation seems pretty simple, I know P21 installed them last season, maybe he can comment on the install.
The tabs make a BIG improvement in load leveling and when running into a head sea, in my boat.

[Lil' Tunny]

Thanks Pitch,
It has a 150 2 stroke yamaha. Boat is level when at rest. I notice it start to list when going above 10 MPH?? It doesn't always happen. It will sometimes level off if I come to a stop and start off again. It doesn't do it all the time. Wierd!! The boat is currently at the boat yard for winter storage. They told me that when they pressure washed the hull at the end of last season, some of the bottom paint came off in sheets. It will be repainted. I'm not going to the expense of striping off the paint and reprepping the bottom unless I have to. I'm going to wait and see how the new paint holds up. Boat is a 2003 and has been used two seasons. I bought the boat as a demo and it came with the bottom painted. They must have done a bad job. I bought it far from me, so it might end up being cheaper money and time wise to do it near me then to bring it back for them to do it right, which they may not even want to do. I would try to do it myself, but I don't have the time or a place to do it.

TW, Sounds like whoever did your bottom job didn't prep it the right way. The paint will peel off in sheets for two reasons. The mold release wax wasn't removed, or if they used sandless primer it wasn't applied right. Usually it's because they didn't take the time and effort required to remove the mold release wax.

[Parker21]

I installed lenco's of my 21 parker last spring. I choose the lenco's because they looked easy to install, It only took tackle trap and I about 3-4 hours to install.
The tabs really helped the ride alot on my boat because i could correct any list and they really helped to pin the bow down in a head sea.Also the Lenco's would resond instantly whne you tap the buttons.
I would bet the Bennets are better in the long term, but the lenco's would be easy to fix if any thing went wrong.