trim tab question

[jdupton]

I run a 2220 Blazer Bay with a 150hp Suzuki 4 stroke sitting on a Bob's 10" jack plate. I was told that the best thing I could do as far as performance for that boat is to put trim tabs on it. I've never owned or operated a boat with trim tabs. Is this true? What are the advantages/disadvantages or trim tabs, and what kind of performance differences can I expect?

[Stuart]

Advantages

You can put the bow down to better the ride into a chop
You can lower the tabs to help your hole shot
You can level your boat out from side to side if it loaded unevenly
Depending on the boat, you can trim one side down or up to help knock down any spray when quartering waves
You can stay on plane at lower speeds

Disadvantages

One more thing to break
In anything but the up position they will rob you of some speed
I have hit my legs on them untold times when walking around the back of the boat.

[wolffman73]

The tabs will allow you to stick the nose of your boat down and eliminate porpoising. They will also allow you to adjust for uneven weight distribution on your boat. They'll slow you down a bit and you'll use more fuel, but the gains are worth it IMO.

[DustinB]

I'm very new to boats, but my sea hunt has them on it. As stated, they are VERY handy for leveling the boat which can be important for a good ride. I have used them to bring the bow down, but only a little. Too much and they really do rob your speed.

[jck]

I have a 24' sea pro with the lenco trim tabs. The boat came with them and once you figure out how to use them they are great. I will never own another boat without trim tabs. I haul a lot of people in mine and go through the bays when they are nasty. Trim tabs make it very easy to keep your boat level and not beat the hell out of everything when your load shifts and the bays are extremely rough.

[mls1130]

I have a 2006 20' pathfinder and I have a hard time telling that the trim tabs are down while running or even before I try to get out of a shallow area; whats the best way to deal besides going back to look at them?

[yellowskeeter]

Lenco trim tabs and a power pole, two things I would not go with on a bay boat. You will ove them.
MLS1130: Once you get time on your boat you will know pretty easy where the tabs are and when in doubt just put them up and reset. You can also go to the lighted indicator switch if you want.

[Tejas Trucha]

I have lenco trim tabs on my blazer bay and they are awesome. Can get up in less than a boat length when I need to - wicked hole shot. I have a 250hp with 4 blade 21p prop though. Echo what everyone said about load leveling, bow down to bust chop, changing ride angle to deal with quartering chop. Mine are almost 7 years old and have never failed me, except had to replace the buttons on the console once (lenco sent for free). I have the big 12x12 tabs. Easy to use, as yellowskeeter said if you get lost in knowing what position they are in, just pull them all the way up and start over. LED indicator buttons are expensive and not worth it IMO.

[Jonboater]

Originally Posted by mls1130

I have a 2006 20' pathfinder and I have a hard time telling that the trim tabs are down while running or even before I try to get out of a shallow area; whats the best way to deal besides going back to look at them?

When you don't know where they are try putting them all the way up so you are back to ground zero and make small adjustments as needed. Truthfully when running it doesn't matter where they are set just as long as the boat is acting the way you want it to. If it isn't then adjust, where they end up who cares....

I opted for the Lenco indicators and I like em. After I bought em I started reading about the control box going out so I am now second guessing my decision. We'll see how long they last.

[Trouthunter]

I opted for the Lenco indicators and I like em. After I bought em I started reading about the control box going out so I am now second guessing my decision. We'll see how long they last.

If they last as long as the Lenco trim tabs do you'll be in good shape!

TH