My trim tab review

[Troy JK]

We spent 3 days in Pensacola Florida. The first day we ran to crab island in Destin. The next two days we ran to Flora-Bama and gulf shores, all in the back bays. Put 12 hours on the boat and about 80 miles per day. The tabs make so much difference that everyone one in the boat will know when they’re down or not. I got “the look” a few times when I had them raised comparing the difference, or had them raised while in flat conditions and was slow to drop them when it got choppy again. You won’t know how much your boat bounces until you get trim tabs to see the difference. Some would say “night and day”.
I expected the fuel mileage to suffer but I didn’t see that. I actually saw higher numbers but we may have been running slower speeds due to the water conditions.
Another bonus that I didn’t even think of, is that you can actually steer the boat with the tabs or take the torque off the wheel when experiencing a good cross wind. Getting a strong cross wind on the port side, lower the port side tab and it will completely take the torque off of the wheel.
The main reason I wanted the tabs was so I could level out the boat, within reason, when too many people sit on one side. This usually works fine, but in certain conditions you can create unwanted torque on the wheel.
The only bad I see is that if you’re running a long distance like we were, and conditions change back and forth, you’ll find yourself adjusting the trim often. This isn’t that big of a deal, it isn’t from any ill effects from the tabs, you’re doing it because you want to, not because you need to. If you lower them slightly and leave them there, it’s better than what you had before.
The verdict? They’re worth every penny and I don’t see me ever having a jet boat without them.

This is on a Yamaha 242 with the lectrotab 9x16s.

 

[Babin Farms]

Very nice write up. I’ve thought about getting them but with only being in big water a few times a year I have a hard time pulling the trigger. The Mississippi can get choppy but nothing compared to the Gulf or Coastal waters & if it’s that bad I’ll probably not be going out anyways.
Thanks for the info.

 

[Quad]

Spot on! We’ve only put 4-5 hours on the tabs but thus far, I can’t remember how we went through last year without them.

 

[redthumper9]

Taking the torque off of the wheel was a game changer. There are parts of the local river that always have a cross wind and for about 5 miles, I'd constantly be battling the steering wheel. Now I let go of the wheel sometimes for miles. I did my tabs a little over a year ago. This is my third Yamaha and now I wonder why I never did it before. I'll never own a boat again without them.

 

[Dave burke]

Anybody put them on a 21 ft boat? Think it would have a similar impact?

 

[Quad]

Anybody put them on a 21 ft boat? Think it would have a similar impact?

@HangOutdoors put them on his AR210

 

[HangOutdoors]

It has a profound impact. Total game changer in 1-3' chop. Anything less than 1', not needed. Anything more than 3', you will have reduced speed. I went with the LectroTab SLC-11 10"x14" per Russ' recomendation.

 

[Dave burke]

It has a profound impact. Total game changer in 1-3' chop. Anything less than 1', not needed. Anything more than 3', you will have reduced speed. I went with the LectroTab SLC-11 10"x14" per Russ' recomendation.

Great, thx. Did you install them yourself? How hard was it?

 

[HangOutdoors]

Yes I did the install. There is a walkthrough document here somewhere by @Markwest My Lectrotab Install (full guide included) | JetBoaters.net - The World's Largest Jet Boat Forum!

It is pretty accurate.

 

[Troy JK]

At one point we were in 2-3s and I raised the tabs to see the difference and I almost threw one woman out the bow. Oops?

 

[Dave burke]

Yes I did the install. There is a walkthrough document here somewhere by @Markwest My Lectrotab Install (full guide included) | JetBoaters.net - The World's Largest Jet Boat Forum!

It is pretty accurate.

Good stuff, thx

 

[zipper]

I know "the Look" I have seen it a few times when doing my own comparison. The Fleet Admiral says it was the best mod on the boat. No porposing of the bow. She loves to ride in the bow and not get bounced around. @Babin Farms Take a ride on one with tabs, you don't know what you are missing...until you know.

 

[RobbieO]

Yes I did the install. There is a walkthrough document here somewhere by @Markwest My Lectrotab Install (full guide included) | JetBoaters.net - The World's Largest Jet Boat Forum!

It is pretty accurate.

When you drilled your transom, did you come across any wood? How do you feel about the holding power/grip of the screws? I'm guessing Lectrotab doesn't include any mounting hardware? TIA...getting ready to pull the trigger....

 

[HangOutdoors]

No wood. It is thicker in the outside area. I used some 5200 and slid a couple pieces of starboard back there. Messy but it worked. I felt the screws held solid through the fiberglass I just wanted to give is some extra and disburse the load. Probably not needed, but it is what I did.

 

[RobbieO]

No wood. It is thicker in the outside area. I used some 5200 and slid a couple pieces of starboard back there. Messy but it worked. I felt the screws held solid through the fiberglass I just wanted to give is some extra and disburse the load. Probably not needed, but it is what I did.

So the screws went all the way through? I I’m looking at the Bennets too

 

[HangOutdoors]

Yes the screws go through. I don't know anything about the bennets.

 

[RobbieO]

Yes the screws go through. I don't know anything about the bennets.

Wow, I may go the bolt and nut route with a backing if there is access. That’s scary.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Not sure why you would, but if it makes you feel better. I dont see you getting a nut back there.

 

[RobbieO]

Not sure why you would, but if it makes you feel better. I dont see you getting a nut back there.

Okay…one last Q…how long were your screws? Thanks

 

[HangOutdoors]

I dont recall. I may have the instructions somewhere with the packing slip. 1.25 - 1.5 maybe just from memory