Trim Tabs

[team1roperdad]

2001 Tahoe Q3 3.0 Stern Drive Alpha 1
Does anyone here use trim tabs? type and recommendations?

Thanks
Allen

 

[JoLin]

Re: Trim Tabs

Helm adjustable tabs (particularly Bennetts) are great, but will cost you about $500 (?) . Nauticus Smart Tabs are a pretty effective, much less expensive alternative for small boats.

I put ST's on a 21' WAC and they did a very good job. My 24' Chris Craft and my 27' Four Winns had/has Bennetts and I love them. If the cost is not an issue I would always go with Bennetts over ST's.

My .02

 

[team1roperdad]

Re: Trim Tabs

are the Bennetts the hydraulic ones?

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Trim Tabs

are the Bennetts the hydraulic ones?

Yes they are. You'll have a pump/tank mounted in the bilge and rockers on the dash for adjustments.

Mark

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Trim Tabs

Bennett is beyond everyone when it comes to customer satisfaction and support also.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Trim Tabs

Not sure you would need the full on Hydraulic set. I think they make some that are called smart tabs that automatically help smaller boats.

 

[sasto]

Re: Trim Tabs

Bennett is beyond everyone when it comes to customer satisfaction and support also.

I totally agree with Thalasso. I have used them on several boats from 18 to 67 feet. Tabman from Bennett is a member here on iboats and is of great help and support.

 

[QC]

Re: Trim Tabs

If budget is an issue, SmartTabs are good if you are having planing and porpoising issues. If budget is less of an issue then I am with the others. Helm adjustable tabs are the single best tool you will add to your boat, ever. OK, second to an engine, but I always respond when people say you don't "need" trim tabs. Heck, you don't need a propeller, but they're pretty flippin' handy. I LOVE helm adjustable tabs and believe they should be standard on all V-hulls. Unless you don't like being able to adjust things on the fly, then go SmartTabs. And when I say "adjust" I mean being able to change the attitude of your boat, fore-aft, and port-starboard, as often and as much as you like. Worst thing is you might break a fingernail on the switch . . .

 

[Don S]

Re: Trim Tabs

If you had Bennett trim tabs, then for some reason had to put on smart tabs, it wouldn't be very long at all before you were selling the smart tabs and going back to your Bennett tabs where you control things.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Trim Tabs

Tabman's helped me out in the past. Oliver at Bennett hooked me up with an O ring set - for free!!! I offered to pay and even pay for the S&H, and they wouldn't have it.

As Don stated, it's nice to control things at the helm. If I'm listing to one side, instead of moving people around, I just adjust a tab.

+1 Bennett's if you have the dough.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Trim Tabs

Yes adjustability is good, but for a small boat that is alot of money to spend on tabs. I spent over $700 on my 22 ft sea ray, and they make a decent difference, but it takes some time to get used to, and understand exactly how to use them.

I used mine alot at first and them found myself not using them much at all, as it was more than I wanted to think about.

 

[QC]

Re: Trim Tabs

I used mine alot at first and them found myself not using them much at all, as it was more than I wanted to think about.

Yep, if you are more of a point and shoot guy, then SmartTabs. Agree on the rest as well, it is a budget and features discussion like a lot of things.

 

[duststang]

Re: Trim Tabs

I like my Bennette I think they offer lifetime warranty? my seal started leaking and they sent new seals to rebuild free no cost to me.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Trim Tabs

Most boats will benefit from adjustable tabs. Bennett has the best customer service and warranty without a doubt.

I'll throw another option out there and that's Lenco. I've had 3 boats now with Lenco tabs, including one set I installed myself. They're an electric jack screw design; meaning there's no pump or hydraulics. This makes for much easier installation, and the tabs react to input much faster; about 4 seconds from stop to stop. Price wise I think they're about the same or maybe even a little cheaper than an equivalent Bennett.

 

[QC]

Re: Trim Tabs

I agree that Lenco's are an option. I concur on Bennett service, but also on ease of Lenco install. This is why I always use "Helm Adjustable". I have these, and they have been great:

They use a Bennett style pump and reservoir.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trim Tabs

HI folks;

As the inventor of Smart Tabs I would like to put my two cents in. Any boat will benefit from trim tabs (short of a sail boat). We developed Smart Tabs because we saw a need for better performance , and handling in small boats. After 14 years in this business and thousands of sets sold, it appears there was a need. We define the market as divided between sport boats (smaller craft) and destination boats (larger craft). Sport boats that change speed, direction, and load balance constantly, would require constant adjustment. Smart Tabs adjust to the speed and water conditions automatically, and most important they are adjustable to suit the boat and customer preference. However, this adjustment is done upon installation (or after) and not during use. The effect is similar to what you would experience with the suspension system on your car.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Trim Tabs

Another vote for Lenco. No pumps or hoses or fluid---

 

[Tabman]

Re: Trim Tabs

OK, I work for Bennett Marine, so I am a bit biased!

But from my personal experience with a 20 ft AquaSport walk around that I used mostly for casual cruising and water sports as my kids were growing up I have to say that the advantages of remotely adjustable Trim Tabs I installed were worth the extra cost and time involved in the installation.

The ability to level the boat's side to side attitude "on the fly" without having to ask my passengers (two daughters and my wife) to move was priceless!

Also when I was towing kids that were learning to water ski I could pull them up easily and stay on plane at a low speed with a small wake by lowering the trim tabs. It really helped!

But then when we went tubing or wake boarding I could raise the the Trim Tabs and adjust the power trim to make a nice "fat" wake.

My AquaSport used to throw a lot of spray off the bow in certain conditions ( mostly running broadsides to the waves). I used the Trim Tabs to raise the bow on the side where the spray was coming from and got a much drier ride.

The ability to adjust the trim of the boat to the current speed, water conditions and weight loading is very helpful, and once you learn how to use remotely adjustable Trim Tabs there is not a lot of "fiddling" with the controls to achieve the best running attitude.

If you feel that you need some help in getting on plane faster, and staying on plane at lower speeds and do not feel that the ability to correct for side to side trim while running , or trim the boat for a broader range of conditions, then Smart Tabs or Bennett SLT Trim Tabs are an option for boats under 20 feet.


Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

 

[Tabman]

Re: Trim Tabs

This article just came out on I-Boats about Self Leveling Trim Tabs iboats.com Review | April 2013

It's worth a look if you are considering them for your boat.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trim Tabs

Here is more information -

Smart Tabs - Trim Tabs - YouTube