Trim tabs for 18 footer?

[erebus]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Should an 18 footer need trim tabs? Looking at buying an 18 foot potter hull that has no tabs. I have had a 21 and a 23 and always relied on the trim tabs. Just wondering about the ride without them...... Am I going to want to add them and how much ballpark would that cost?

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the call today.
To answer your question more specifically, I have always entertained the idea of putting tabs on the 18.
Only very once in awhile did I really feel I needed them though. Once or twice a season I would wish I could get the trim right in a stiff wind or a weird current. (or when the fat guy's on the wrong side of the boat :-))
But the next gorgeous, flat day running out the Wellfleet I would forget all about them. That's why I never pulled the trigger.

With such a small transom and not wanting to complicate the back end all that much I had decided on going with the 12x4 Lenco electric tab kit.
Very narrow tab, only 4 inches deep. Not sure if Bennett makes a limited clearance tab or not if you wanted hydraulic. I spec'd out electric tabs because of the limited room for the pump and motor. Didnt want to lose any storage.
Heres a link to the kit on Lenco's website:
http://www.lencomarine.com/index.php.../limited-space

Just today I ran a 22 Sailfish (which is a Seacraft hull knockoff) over to our yard for a storm haulout, and it happens to be fitted with those exact 12X4 Lenco tabs.
The wind out of the east on Nantucket Sound was making her ride bow down to port, so I gave the tabs a couple of clicks and she came right up level and ran great.
So for their small size they definitely help performance.

Looks like you can get them from Amazon for about $400 bucks. And it would probably be a couple of hours to install.
I haven't measured to see if they'll fit under the teak swim platform on the port side, but I think they will...


https://www.amazon.com/Lenco-15088-1.../dp/B001RMUM62