Trim Tabs: Bennett/Lenco OR Smart Tabs

[Sabre]

Going to be putting a set of trim tabs on, and was seeking advice of people who have, or have had them.

I like the adjustable type (Bennett or Lenco) but they are expensive, whereas the Smart Tabs are much more affordable but obviously being self adjusting you can't counteract leaning into the wind or weight to one side.

Underway; are they the same?

Has anyone had both types?

All opinions sought........

Cheers

[jeffrey_h]

I'm liking to put some on my 6mt CruiseCraft, one day.

If you search this topic you will get a lot of posts already on tabs.

Might answer your questions.

Jeffrey

[two up]

I have had the Bennets for the past couple of years and they have been faultless, If I was to do it again I would seriously look at the Volvo tabs. As most of our fishing is game fishing the less protrusion the better.

[lippa]

i've had 2 lenco actuators shit themselves. im not a big fan!!!

[rogerb]

I used Bennets on a 11meter charter fishing boat for 12 years with no problems and as far as I know they are still going strong since I sold the boat in 2000.

They were 18 x 12 inch tabs and as it was a heavy, hard used boat (averaging 15,000 mile a year) I was advised to fit twin rams to each tab. A mate with single rams managed to break a pin on one as he backed down on a fish in a biggish sea.
Cheers Rog

[Broomey]

Go the Volvo penta tabs, you wont be disappointed!!!

[Sabre]

Broomey,

I agree with you, that the Volvo QL's appear to be the benchmark now, however because of my hull shape which stops before the transom and then the pod, overhang will not be an issue, and I wouldn't mind any benefit "at rest" from any "lenghthening" the hull, as such, by the trim tab plates, or do you think this wouldn't happen?

Cheers
Sabre

[ozscott]

There are very recent threads on this...searching will reveal.

Bennett are well tested and add waterline length. I wouldnt waste time with so called smart tabs because they are not as smart as you.

Bennett also provide unsurpassed backup of any company I have dealt with.

Cheers

[ShaneC]

I dont believe that any 'lengthening' of the hull actually occurs, in the big scheme of things the tabs are small and light in relation to the boat when it is at rest IMHO. I noticed no difference with my boat at rest whatsoever.

I have Lencos on my CruiseCraft, I did manage to slightly bend one plate downwards somehow, but they replaced it with no hassles. I have heard of actuators taking a dump as Lippa has said, but have had no troubles with mine so far, touch wood.

But they did make a big difference to the ride of the boat......

Shane

[krazyfisher]

I have only just put bennetts on and they make a world of differance to the ride.

[Chimo]

Hi Sabre

These Lencos work fine They are under the steps so little obstuction re lines has been experienced.

The effect of "lengthening" the hull is only evident when your moving and is apparent even with the lencos (or bennets if you prefer) in the up position.

Tabs do add some lift as well as levelling.

So too do the foils. These were added well prior to the tabs and lifted the tail up at least an inch at slow to med cruise. The tabs added additional lift as well as allowing the boat to be levelled to get the max benefit from the Vee when working in rough seas.

The qls are reported to cause significant drag which is said to have lost a kn in speed on a Quintrex (F&B) and looking at them it does seem possible.

Its a fun journey enjoy the ride

Cheers
Chimo

[ozscott]

I probably didnt make my point well and Chimo does for me - Cheers mate.

Yes on the plane (even low speed) in addition to the boat contouring the waves better it does physically add to the waterline length and those tabs help (albeit not as much say as physically adding 8 inches of hull!) to resist downforce at the stern from upforce at the bow...and the boat also feels longer to drive. One things for sure I wouldnt own a big glass boat again without user adjustable tabs of whatever sort.

Cheers

[Sabre]

Guys,

I appreciate all the info and opinions, thanks very much, keep them coming....

Cheers
Sabre

[Greg P]

All trim tabs will make a boat loose speed once deployed. If anyone looses speed with a set of QLs when they are retracted has buggered up the installation location

As for the water length claim - each to his own if you want to believe that makes a big difference to your boat

Old FnB article on a 6.4m Sportfish running Bennets;

Performance Trials with the
Bennett Trim Tabs . . .
TRIM TAB IMPACT: After many years of discussion
about the impact of trim tabs on a boat’s performance, we
discovered it was possible to actually measure the
performance of the Sportfish 6.4 Centre Cab with the tabs
up and down (or off and on) depending on your viewpoint.
To put this another way, in most cases, the boat would be
operated without the tabs on at all, unless you wanted to keep
the bow pressed down, such as a skipper will do when he’s
heading into heavy water and wants to dampen the ride as
much as possible.
We’ve all known for many years this action - forcing the
bow down into the water, must increase the boat’s resistance to
slipping through the water by virtue of the additional amount
of boat being pressed down into the water - but we’ve never
been able to quantify to what extent this happens.
Under perfect conditions for this exercise in Moreton Bay
last month, we were able to do just that.
With the Sportfish cruising at 4,000 revs, it was running at
22.8 knots with the tabs Off, and 21.8 knots with the tabs On
to a sensible “down” position. Fuel consumption rose from
24.6 L/ph to 26.4 L/ph - an increase of nearly 8%.
Travelling faster, the Sportfish at 4,500 revs logged 26.3
knots with the tabs Off and 24.1 knots with them On.
Similarly, it used 30.00 L/ph with the tabs Off and a big
increase to 34.8 L/ph with the tabs on.
Some of the conclusions are obvious - the tabs have greater
impact as the boat gets faster than they do when the boat gets
slower, but it does confirm that working in rough seas, and
keeping your bow down with the tabs, not only slows you
down, but does increase the fuel consumption by
approximately 10%.

[Captain Seaweed]

I have QL's and I am happy with them. Quick to respond, come with control panel and have an auto facility if you want. I havent tried others as instead I went with these following a few reports. You can mount these on a curved transom but there are limitations to this.
I am happy with them, adjust boat in windy conditions and load changes. Also can drop nose of boat at slow plane speeds in rough water.
Marty