trim tab switch

N

nitwit

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exMember
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Oct 9, 2006
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23848
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I'm planning on installing tabs on my boat this spring. My question is this: Is the extra $150 really worth it for an indicator switch? It seems to me if my boat is reacting the way I want her to it will be evident, right? Maybe there's something I haven't thought of...

Thanks for any help,

Jason
 
You are asking boating questions at a boating forum where most of the members have forgotten more than I'll ever learn. Therefore you are not a nitwit.

IMHO, the difference in money for the tab position indicator switch could be better spent elsewhere. Automatic trimtab control and a fuel flow meter will more than pay for themselves in 2 seasons.
 
If they don't auto-retract then it is nice to see what position they are in. With auto-retract you always know they are up and you can adjust as needed when you take off or to level.

Good luck
Niles
 
I think Lencos have autoretract; I will get it if they do. The name (which should have gone on our boat) was earned the first day we got her. I smashed her into the dock pilings at my marina and she spun around and gouged the other side as well. Lighthearted enough, but so true. At least no witnesses.

Thanks for the replies,

Jason
 
Belay my last. I don't believe Lenco's have the auto trim option available. I incorrectly made the assumption you had Bennett's. A fuel flow meter is engine independent and if you have an inboard or I/O, it will pay for itself in short order in optimization of your running angle for fuel consumption.
 
Lenco has the autoretract, but it's a different switch. I'm not sure about the fuel flow meter, as I've got a really fuel-efficient little boat and we don't do much cruising.

Thanks again,

Jason
 
I installed trim tab indicators on our last boat and this one too....it sure is nice to know where your tabs are at, especially if you use your tabs down when in a no wake zone.

My wife learned really quickly to KNOW where your tabs are positioned......we left a no wake zone and she "thought" she had both down, she hammers it to get the boat on plane and the boat pitches hard over to port, I tell (yell) to get off the throttle and reset the tabs....she does that and I say that's why I installed the indicators....look at them before you take off. Now that's just one more thing that's part of the "check list" before taking off. So for us, it's worth the money.

But it's like everything else, whatever it takes to make boating more enjoyable for YOU - whether it's indicators, big stereo, etc......
 
I'm sure the indicators are quite useful. More specifically, I guess my question should have been whether or not trusting myself to know about where they're at is worth a couple hundred dollars which could be spent elsewhere.

Thanks again,

Jason
 
I have had Bennett tabs on my last two boats for six or seven years --- I do not have tab indicators -- I use the method you are talking about -- either the boat list, or the boat tachometer tell me where to set the tabs -- I also have considered them too expensive for what you get. I think most types are retrofitable -- get them without -- and if you feel you need them -- add then later -- (of course it helps if you are doing the work yourself. I don't know about Lenco -- but Bennett also has several styles of control panels -- I initially had a joystick type and found it not very intuative --(I sent it back to Bennett and they gave me a new different style for free-- great company) -- I went with the two rocker switches, and like that much better.
 
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