Trim Tabs

[JulianDeMarchi]

Many thanks for all the replies, has been very informative and has assisted me in learning more.

It seems 9x12 elctro plate tabs of some brand will be the go. I'll take measurements of what room I have to play with under my ducks boards and start my hunt from there.

[scuttlebutt]

Forget about fuel savings, that's not going to happen.

I've got 9 x 12 Lectrotabs on my 625 Cruise Craft. Completely transformed the boat. Being able to level the boat and get the hull working properly when motoring across wind is priceless. Being a fairly shallow V the Cruise Craft used to lean over into the wind and bang like a dunny door. Now it's a far more pleasant boat to be in. Wouldn't have another boat without them.

Have also had Bennetts on a previous boat but the Lectrotabs are a simpler install (no hydraulic pump to fit inboard).

No experience with QL's but I believe you have to cut big holes in your transom to fit those.

[FisHard]

Many thanks for all the replies, has been very informative and has assisted me in learning more.

It seems 9x12 elctro plate tabs of some brand will be the go. I'll take measurements of what room I have to play with under my ducks boards and start my hunt from there.

good call mate. I've got 9x12 lencos on my 19' Cruisey and they work a treat. In y experience, fuel economy will suffer a tiny bit, but you'll forget all about that when you're enjoying how you can fine tune your boats ride. The best value addition to any offshore hull imho

[chocolatemoose]

we fit QL's to the TABS range of boats. also carry the lectrotab "budget for automatic reason" lencos "for build quality" Bennets for "smoothness". and soon zipwake

zipwake is the interesting one. it takes the similar blade approach as the QL's but installation is a lot simpler. with an option to run cables up the transom and no need dirty big holes in the boat.
they also have a much fancier GMI style guage to control it all. more expensive i will admit. but worth a look at.

Moose

[JulianDeMarchi]

Isn't this country stuffed when i can get a set of lenco 9x12s from the us at $605usd and in australia 1300aud... the us price even includes the led indicator switch panel, this is a 300aud upgrade.

[Crunchy]

Isnt this country stuffed when i can get a set of lenco 9x12s from the us at $605usd and in australia 1300aud... the us price even includes the led indicator switch panel, this is a 300aud upgrade.

You'll probably get it quicker too..

[Crunchy]

I should moderate my comment above, there are some very good operators in Australia too, many are members of this site who help out a great deal with advice on electronics, engines and general boating advice, we all know who they are, they consistently provide members with good advice and guidence, we should support them when we can

[Jarrah Jack]

I've experienced a 30% increase in fuel efficiency after fitting lenco's. This was trolling into steep chop at about 12 kph all day. The boat was bogging in previously and required a lot of throttle. In any other conditions the benefit was no where near the same unfortunately. lol

[honda900]

Julian,

I fitted some 9x 12's lencos to the haines, Yes bought overseas, none in Aus, arrived in 7 days and better price... Fuel savings, no, anything that adds additional drag in the water does not equate to a saving (Maybe in the same conditions on and off the throttle).. The saving is really in comfort, the ability to stand the boat up in wind or push the nose down, prevents that swell from slapping the side of the boat, makes for a big change in comfort, that also allows you to travel faster in the same conditions.

Fuel burn rate would be around 5-10% worse off, but that run out to Hoskins, was so much more pleasant and in bad conditions, so much faster..

Regards
Honda.

[Jsmfun]

I might chime in I just got lenco 9x12 with the auto retract fitted to my 2100 walk around .
purchased and fitted in my front yard by gary (SS marine) nice bloke and perfect job done

i always leave from Wynnum and head north to curtain and the beacons and the only trip I've done was with my father in law 130kg and my 6year old boy. Straight away I could tell the difference my boat always listed terribly
to the port side I trimmed it up and cruised across to Tangalooma with ease it felt soo good being in control of the boat in this way made life for the old man so much better..
on the way home we normaly get smashed from a s/e 15-20knt wind on a run out tide and my FIL normally swears he will never do it again as it hurts his gut (diabetic) but we cruised home at 25knts and was so much more comfortable to be in I can't wait to hit musgrave with the new tabs ...you will forget about any fuel saving when you don't feel like you have been in a boxing ring for a 2 hour trip

cheers Scott