Regal 2400 and Trim Tabs

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regalfamily

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Joined
Mar 23, 2007
RO Number
25602
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I am going into my second season with my 2400 and am considering the value of installing trim tabs. The plane time and general performance of my boat is very good. My primary interest in trim tabs is driven by the frequent listing challenges I have when my passenger load isn't evenly distributed. Yes, I could ask people to move around frequently to keep the load balanced, but it is not always convenient (generally don't notice the imbalance until I am on plane, etc.).

Anyways, I have some questions for you boating experts out there...

1) What are the pro's and con's with electric vs. hydraulic tab systems? It seems the electric ones are simpler to install and maintain... am I missing something?

2) What size is appropriate for my boat?

3) Do any of you 2400 owners have tabs? Could you give me some feedback on how it has affected listing, planing, general performance (any affect on fuel economy or rough water handling)?

Thanks for your help!!

MarkG
 
Hi:

Here is some info from the Bennett site and a link to a simulator you can use. Hope it helps.

Our boat is larger but the tabs are great. We seldom adjust the trim and just use the tabs. Not sure it affects fuel much, but that is a guess. Best use is adjusting for load per your intended use.

Laurence (Megrue)

http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/simulator.htm

What Trim Tabs Do
Trim Tabs usually consist of two independently adjustable stainless steel trim planes mounted on the transom of the boat. They provide lift in order to compensate for changes in speed, weight distribution, and water conditions. When deflected downward, the water force on the trim tab creates upward pressure, raising the stern and reducing hull resistance. The surface area of the tab, the angle of deflection and the speed of the boat all contribute to greater lift.

Hydraulic vs. Electromechanical
There are two major types of Trim Tab systems on the market, hydraulic and electromechanical. Bennett Marine manufactures the leading hydraulic system and Lenco Marine is currently the most recognized electromechanical system. Both types of systems accomplish the same basic purpose in much the same way. (There are other systems; hydrofoils, manually adjusted trim planes, or gas-assist tabs, but these are mainly for the budget conscious boater.)

Durability

This is the primary difference between Hydraulic and Electric systems. Electric trim tabs install faster because the electric motor is inside the actuator. If the o-rings fail, water will flood the actuator. With hydraulic systems, the motor is inside the boat, yielding a longer lasting system. Hydraulic systems commonly last 15 years or more.

Bennett Warranty: Five (5) years and transferable. No proof of purchase required. Bennett policy is to send the replacement part first without requiring a credit card.

Lenco Warranty: Three (3) years and proof of purchase is required, and is not transferable. Credit card number is required before the parts are shipped. The warranty does not cover damage resulting from growth on the actuator when the tabs are left in the down position.

Separating Important Facts from Marketing Hype

Speed of Trim Tabs: HYPE: Electric trim tabs move a bit faster, but all tabs on the market move from full up to full down within a few seconds of each other. With that said, if the tabs move too fast, it becomes difficult to make precise adjustments, especially at high speeds.

Strength (Lifting Power): HYPE: While hydraulic systems, by nature, are very powerful, in reality, all trim tabs on the market are strong enough to trim the boat.

Precision: HYPE: There is no difference in the precision of trimming between brands. All start and stop instantaneously. None "drift" nor do they lock up unless there is some sort of mechanical failure.

Electric Installs Faster: FACT: With all systems, the trim planes, actuators (rams), wiring, and control switch have to be installed. With hydraulic trim tabs, a pump must be installed inside the boat. It is a self-bleeding system, and takes about 30 minutes longer to install.

Hydraulic Requires More Maintenance: HYPE: Neither electric nor hydraulic require a maintenance routine.

Electric Trim Tabs "Sealed For Life": HYPE: Don't confuse "Sealed For Life" with a lifetime warranty. The warranty is three years.
 
Here is some more info for you. Hope it helps. It indicates a fuel saving

What are Trim Tabs?
Trim Tabs are the flaps installed on the transom of all the larger power boats to improve acceleration and planing. With trim tabs, boats get onto plane faster, use less fuel and don‘t hide the horizon behind the bow during acceleration. Boats with trim tabs can plane at a lower rpm and lower speed, because the tabs hold the bow down, and at the same time, the back end up; otherwise, the boat would fall off of plane at that rpm and speed.

To maintain a level smooth ride, you can adjust the tabs while underway to accommodate the changes in conditions like the wind, waves, change of weight distribution on board, etc.

How Do They Work?
You are able to make adjustments from the helm using rocker switches attached to expensive electrics and hydraulics connecting the switches to the tabs. On the outside of the transom, there are two metal plates called trim tabs (like flaps on an airplane wing) that are pushed down or raised up with hydraulic rams. On the inside of the transom are hydraulic pumps and on the dash are rocker switches that electrically control the hydraulic pumps. This system costs over $1,000 for a 20’ boat and more for larger boats.

Why Don’t Small Boats Have Trim Tabs?
Primarily because of the expense, manufacturers of small power boats under 22’ haven’t been installing trim tabs. The boats still need them, but they don’t have them.

The performance of most smaller power boats with both sterndrives (I/O’s) and outboards (O/B’s ) would be greatly improved, if they had trim tabs.

Do YOU Need Them?
If your inflatable has to be run wide open to stay on plane, it would benefit from trim tabs.
If your bowrider sticks its nose in the air when you accelerate from idle, it would benefit from trim tabs.
If your cuddy cabin burns a lot of extra fuel, because you have to run faster than you’d like to stay on plane, it would benefit from trim tabs.
If you’ve experienced a scary bow-high take off when crossing a wake and a scarier stern-first landing, you need trim tabs.
Improve Your Performance!!
You can’t go back to the assembly line and have trim tabs installed, but now you can get “Smart Tabs” for around $150 US (~$177 Canadian) and install them yourself.

Smart Tabs are a one of a kind trim and stabilizer system that automatically adjusts to the sea conditions, without the need for expensive electric or hydraulic hardware and switches. The system constantly reacts to the water conditions, boat speed, and balance providing remarkable improvements on any boat.

Some boat manufacturers are now installing Smart Tabs on their smaller boats on the production line because it makes sense to do so. The cost of Smart Tabs is so much less that installing the hydraulics and switches of the systems used in the past.

Improve your performance this boating season by installing Smart Tabs on your boat. You’ll enjoy the benefits of a smoother ride, faster acceleration, less bow rise, lower bow on plane speed, more top speed, better handling and improved fuel economy.

For more information go to:
 
Thanks for the info Megrew!!

I've been reading up on the Bennett, Lenco, and even the Smart Tabs.

I may even contact Bennett and/or Lenco to see if they recommend anything for my specific boat.

I wasn't sure if anyone had bad experiences with either the hydraulic or the electric tabs.

Thanks again for the replies!!

MarkG
 
Wonder if you need trim tabs on a 24' boat? Try asking the wife to move to the center of the boat to balance the load! I did and instantly knew I was in deep s#$%. Trim tabs are much cheaper!
 
Regalfamily,

I have a 2006 2400 and had the Lenco Tabs installed on mine by my dealer before I picked up my boat. This is not an easy process on the 2400. The problem is the support poles for the swim platform are in the way. The 2400 was designed not to use tabs. However after my last boat I will not ever again have a boat without them. I used to own a Stingray 195. Unless it was flat we would bounce all over the place. Back to the 2400. My dealer was only able to install the smallest Lenco tabs available. The only bad part is because of the space issue the tabs only come up about 98% of the way. That means when the tabs are up you will still have a little drag. This will cut down on your top speed and hurt your fuel. But only by small amounts. I think I only lost about 3mph on the top end. I don't know about fuel economy because mine were on since day one. I will say my dealer tried like heck to talk me out of them because of the difficult instalation.

The benefits of the tabs are numerous. We are a family that skies alot. It is much easier to get them up with the tabs down. They also work great in rough water. The other bad part is if you forget to put them up when on plane you will get alot of prop blowout. All in all I would say I am glad I have them. Because of the problems of installing them it is not a do it yourself project. I had my Lenco tabs installed with indicator for about $700.00. Probably not the best $700.00 I ever spent but kind of worth it. Make sure if you get them to get the indicator lights. good luck
 
I have an '05 2400 with 350 Mag/B3 and no trim tabs. I've owned boats for which trim tabs were a must-have, but on this boat I can't say I really miss them. It has no problem with skiers -- perhaps with trim tabs it would be even better, but it isn't an issue as is. Tabs would probably help with the occasional porpoising at speeds above 50, but I don't need any more encouragement to go that fast ;)
 
Mark.....Your wife weighs 100 pounds soaking wet. Your girls weigh 100 total. Your wife's and girl's weight is not your problem. Buy that 3060 that comes with the tabs.
 
We took delivery of our 2008 2400 yesterday here in St Louis. We boat on the Mississippi River so during delivery we had to venture out on the river. Well its about 12 feet above normal and when you have that much water there tends to be lots of logs floating down river. It was also windy which produced 2' swells. I'm still in shock at how well this boat handle those waves. Unbelieveable!! We didn't open her up or anything took it nice and slow. I'm amazed!! We absolutely love this boat!!!

Everybody I talked to says trim tabs are not needed on the 2400. This is one awesome boat!! Can't wait for the water to go down so we really can get out there and enjoy her!!
 
I've never felt the need for trim tabs on my 2004 2400. With 6 people on board , I have never noticed a problem.
Some people (captains) are more "sensitive" to any deviation from normal. What might be "no problem" for some , might drive others crazy.
To me if there was any listing, it was to small to be of any concern.

But if you do put trim tabs on, I remember someone posting pix of what they did on the old Regal site. Maybe someone remembers where to find it.

Good Luck
 
Thanks for all the responses.

I think, based in large part from all of your advice, I will hold off on any trim tabs for now.

I suspect my problem is the one SvedasFish describes, I am probably the only one who notices it. No passenger has ever said a thing about any listing issues.

Thanks again for all the good advice. Input from fellow Regal 2400 owners has been a huge help!!

MarkG
 
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