If you've got a smaller boat - say, under 20 feet long - chances are you experience a lot of difficulty getting that boat up to plane.  Especially for boats with smaller horsepower engines, it can take a lot of running the engine at full power to get the boat on plane.  Also, smaller boats tend to experience a lot of the bouncing or "porpoising" that makes a ride uncomfortable.  Both of these problems can be solved with one easy solution and provide a much smoother ride and a better overall boating experience.

Bennett Trim TabsTrim Tabs Explained

Trim tabs are simple devices mounted to the transom of boats to make the ride smoother and to help the boat get on plane quicker.  The traditional trim tabs are hydraulic and use hydraulic fluid to power the actuators that control the angle of the trim tabs.  In recent years, electric trim tabs have also become popular and offer an efficient trim tab solution that requires less maintenance.  The size of the trim tabs you need depends greatly on the size of your boat.  Typically, you want to install the widest options possible, but there are space considerations on the transom to consider.  Each trim tab should be mounted at least 8 inches away from the center line of the transom, and there are variations depending on the weight or type of hull.  For more information, please consult Bennett Marine's trim tab sizing guide.

Bennett Self-Leveling Trim TabsThe Small Boat Solution

Hydraulic and electric trim tabs are very popular throughout the boating industry, but they are way more complex than what is needed for smaller boats under 20 feet.  For those boats, there is a simple and effective solution.  Bennett's Self-Leveling Trim Tabs use a spring-loaded actuator that engages the water pressure to stabilize the boat.  Using this technology, smaller boats can enjoy the same benefits of trim tabs that larges boats do when utilizing hydraulic or electric trim tabs.

The Ease of Installation

Each self-leveling trim tab kit includes all the components and hardware necessary to install them on the boat.  There are no control pads to install, and there isn't even a need to drill completely through the boat.  Each self-leveling tab requires just three screws for the upper hinge and four screws for mounting the tab itself.  As long as you follow the proper guidelines for locating the trim tab on the transom, the installation can be completed quickly and without much hassle. The SLT has three hole positions on the trim tab so that the actuator angle may be adjusted for optimum lift pressure and performance. Once you have an opportunity to try out the trim tabs, you can adjust them to achieve more lift or less lift depending on your desired outcome.

The Benefits

Adding trim tabs to your boat don't just help you get up to place quickly. As mentioned before, they help to eliminate that rythmic bouncing that can make a ride uncomfortable (and which is especially common on smaller boats).  Trim tabs also improve your hole shot, and they help to increase fuel efficiency as well.  They can also help to reduce engine laboring and pounding, which will extend the life of your boat and its engine. Overall, adding trim tabs to your boat can be a wise decision that improves your boating experience and saves money as well!

If you have more questions or would like assistance identifying the correct trim tabs for your boat, please give our ABYC-certified experts at Marine Parts Source a call at (866)388-0390.  You can also shop trim tabs on our website.