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Why do I need Trim Tabs?

You may not be familiar with them, but you’ve probably experienced the problems that trim tabs solve for boaters all over the world. After using Bennett systems for years – and discovering just how durable and serviceable they can be – our customers can’t imagine boating without them.

Do These Conditions Sound Familiar?

2TabsLineArtAs your boat slows from maximum speed, it begins to settle at the stern or “squat,” creating an inefficient, untrimmed condition. At this attitude you use more fuel to drive the boat.

As the boat pushes forward, it creates a “hill of water.” In this bow-high position, visibility is limited and the hull bottom is pounded. Also because of significant hull drag and extreme prop angle, fuel economy is poor.

Uneven weight distribution makes your boat harder to handle, even harder to get up on plane, and it causes your boat to list to one side. Your passengers complain when you tell them to move from one side to the other.

As a boater you know that no two boating days are ever alike thanks to ever-changing weight, weather and water conditions. Bennett Trim Tabs are designed to adjust for these changing conditions and provide lift in order to give you the best possible running attitude.

Get the Best Ride Possible

with-withoutTabsBennett Trim Tabs help your boat operate as intended over a broader range of conditions. They give you more control than you ever had before. You can improve the performance of your boat through properly sized trim tabs that:

  • Get you up on plane quickly
  • Allow you to plane at speeds lower than designed planing speed
  • Adjust the boat’s attitude for changes in speed, sea conditions and shifting weight
  • Correct listing on either side of the boat

Bennett Trim Tabs reposition the boat’s bow to cut through the water. This gives you several advantages:

  • Less drag and engine laboring, which translate into increased performance, greater speed, and reduced fuel consumption
  • Reduced pounding, which means greater comfort
  • Greater visibility, which increases safety

Bennett Trim Tabs help your boat operate as intended over a broader range of conditions. They give you more control than you ever had before. You can improve the performance of your boat through properly sized trim tabs that:

  • Get you up on plane quickly
  • Allow you to plane at speeds lower than designed planing speed
  • Adjust the boat’s attitude for changes in speed, sea conditions and shifting weight
  • Correct listing on either side of the boat

Bennett Trim Tabs reposition the boat’s bow to cut through the water. This gives you several advantages:

  • Less drag and engine laboring, which translate into increased performance, greater speed, and reduced fuel consumption
    Reduced pounding, which means greater comfort
    Greater visibility, which increases safety
Did We Mention Savings on Fuel?

Maintaining plane at a lower RPM is where the boat starts to achieve its maximum efficiency. Trim tabs provide the additional lift so that the throttle can be decreased without losing plane, adding both fuel economy and range. Some boaters have experienced as much as 30% fuel efficiency gains.

With all the advantages and efficiencies created, Bennett Trim Tabs virtually pay for themselves.

The Bennett Advantage

Performance:
Turn a teeth-jarring experience into a more comfortable ride.

  • Increase Speed
  • Reduce Pounding
  • Correct for Listing
  • Eliminate Porpoising
  • Offset Prop Torque

Efficiency:
Bennett Trim Tabs are one of the few boat accessories that can pay for themselves. Some boaters have experienced as much as 30% fuel efficiency gains.

  • Reduce Fuel Consumption
  • Reduce Engine Laboring
  • Eliminate Squatting
  • Reduce Engine Laboring

Safety:
Relax at the wheel thanks to greater control over your bow high position.

  • Improve Visibility
  • Reduce Wake
  • Improve Handling
  • Reduce Hull Stress

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy Bennett Trim Tabs and accessories?

Bennett Trim Tabs and accessories are available at just about all marine retail dealers. Local, national chain stores, online retailers and mail order catalog marine equipment dealers will be happy to assist you in purchasing Bennett Marine products. See our interactive map to locate a distributor near you. Note that many of these distributors do not sell to the public but will be able to refer you to a local dealer.

What are the right trim tabs for my boat?

Many factors affect the choice of trim tabs for your boat. Visit our sizing page to get the information to help you make your choice! Keep in mind that performance boats (40-60 mph) should use Performance Sport Tabs. Bass, flats, and other small boats with limited transom space should consider Tournament Tabs or our M80 and M120 Sport Tabs. Also when making a choice between trim tab sizes, remember that the largest trim tabs that will comfortably fit on the transom will be the most efficient. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions regarding your specific application.

Can I install Bennett Trim Tabs myself?

Absolutely! While some boat owners may wish to have a dealer or boatyard install their trim tabs, just about anyone who is handy with a drill and screwdriver can install trim tabs. Bennett Marine designs trim tabs so that the average do-it-yourself boater can handle the installation in an afternoon. Depending upon the size and construction of the boat, it should take about 4 or 5 hours for installation.

What kind of warranty do Bennett products carry?

Bennett Trim Tab systems carry a five (5) year limited warranty against manufacturing and workmanship defects. Bennett electronics (Tab Position Indicator, Electronic Indicator Control, Auto Tab Control, Auto Tab Retractor,) carry a three (3) year limited warranty.

View the full warranty information.

Note: Damage to the trim tabs due to electrolysis is not covered by warranty. For more information, select the “How to protect your trim tabs from electrolysis.” panel below.

We take great pride in providing the best customer service possible. A call to Bennett Marine regarding warranty or troubleshooting will result in your satisfaction. If you have a component in need of warranty replacement simply return it with a note of instruction that includes your name, address, telephone and email contact. Mail to:

Bennett Marine
Attn: Warranty Exchange
550 Jim Moran Blvd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

I can't get access to the inside of the transom to connect the hydraulic fittings. What do I do?

A1101EX-External-LineOne of the unique features of the Bennett Trim Tab system is the use of concealed through-transom hydraulics. However, there are cases of complete inaccessibility inside the transom, making the use of the standard Bennett actuator difficult. For such instances, the Bennett actuator is available with an external line connection. This avoids the inaccessibility problem by allowing the hydraulics to enter the transom at a location where there is no obstruction. If you need external line actuators contact Bennett Marine to arrange a no-charge trade for your standard actuators.

My transom has a swim platform or other feature that limits the height where the actuators can mount on the transom. Now what?

A1200S_withdimensionsThere is an option for you – the “short” actuator. The short actuator’s overall closed length measures 11.75 inches so it can mount lower on the transom. It is 2 inches shorter than the standard actuator that measures 13.75 inches. If you need short actuators for your installation, contact Bennett Marine to arrange a no-charge exchange of your standard actuators.

What type of fluid do I use in the Hydraulic Power Unit, and where do I add it?

HPU_ATF_FillingUse any type of Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). Don’t worry about the exact brand or type – it will all work, and can even be mixed. To add fluid, remove the Lexan cover on the HPU, locate the “filler stack” in the left front corner of the reservoir. There is a round plug sealing the filler stack. Remove the plug and add fluid to the full line on the reservoir. Note: Add fluid only with the trim tabs fully retracted (up). If your reservoir does not have a full line, add fluid so the fluid level is about 1 inch below the top of the reservoir with the trim tabs fully retracted (up). Your Bennett Trim Tab system should not need refilling for several seasons.

What size fuse does my trim tab system use?

On a 12 volt system use a 20 amp (24 volt will use 10 amp) in-line fuse on the power lead to the helm control.

I keep my boat in saltwater. Do I need to protect the trim tabs from corrosion?

To provide protection from electrolytic corrosion, a zinc anode must be applied to each tab. The zinc must make direct contact with the stainless steel. Do not ground trim tabs to other underwater appendages.

See “How do I paint my trim tabs” below if you plan to paint with anti-fouling paint.

How do I paint my trim tabs?

The secret to getting anti-fouling paint to adhere to your trim tabs is proper priming, and the best people to tell you what to do are the experts at the company that makes your anti-fouling paint. We strongly suggest that you contact the paint manufacturer and tell them you are painting “304 stainless steel” trim tabs, then follow their recommendations to the letter! Remember, don’t paint under the zincs.

How do I tell the position of my trim tabs?

GaugeTPI2000On smaller boats, it is usually easy to tell where the trim tabs are by visually sighting the horizon. Basically, you “feel” the boat’s attitude. However, on larger boats, particularly those with raised helm locations, it is a bit harder to tell where the trim tabs are. For more precise control, Bennett offers three indication options:

Adding the Tab Position Indicator (TPI) will provide you with accurate, easy-to-read indication of your trim tab position at all times. Using the Tab Position Indicator also will allow you to easily repeat the settings that are best for your boat.

On boats equipped with Adding the NMEA 2000® compatible electronics, you can display trim tab position on your GPS/chartplotter or sonar. Our NMEA 2000 Indicator Kit easily plugs into NMEA 2000® networks. Contact your electronics manufacturer for questions regarding compatibility with NMEA 2000® electronics.

Finally, consider our Electronic Indicator Control (EIC5000). This combines three features into one – precise manual control, trim tab indication and the Auto Tab Retractor. Like the Tab Position Indicator, it is waterproof, highly accurate and features variable intensity LEDs for night or day. With the Auto Tab Retractor feature, just turn off your ignition switch and your tabs automatically retract.

Bennett Marine Limited Warranty

(United States Only)

We at Bennett Marine, (Bennett) are committed to product quality and customer satisfaction. We’ve supported our products for more than half a century and have earned a reputation for exceptional service and support. In keeping with that tradition Bennett provides a Limited Warranty for its Products. Please see the table below for our Warranty details.

Limited Warranty

Bennett warrants to the original purchaser and subsequent owners, that Bennett will repair or replace, at the discretion of Bennett, any part or component manufactured by Bennett which is proven to the satisfaction of Bennett to be defective, and which failure has occurred under normal use and within the warranty period. This Limited Warranty does not apply to Products that have been damaged, or which fail, as a result of causes other than manufacturing defects (such as but not limited to electrical overloads, electrolysis, casualty, fire, collision, improper installation, lack of maintenance, exposure to elements, alteration, or misuse). This warranty does not cover damage to finishes. The warranty commences from the first date a Product is purchased by the customer. If the product is installed on a boat by an OEM then the warranty commences on the first day on which the first retail customer purchases the boat. This warranty applies exclusively to products purchased and used in the United States.

Disclaimer And Exclusion Of Warranties:

This warranty is meant to be a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of all express warranties offered by Bennett. To the extent permitted by law, there are no warranties, express or implied, including any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose extended by Bennett other than the express warranty set forth in this instrument. Some states do not allow the exclusion of, or limitations to, implied warranties so the above limitation may not apply to you.

Warranty Claim Procedure

To make a claim please call Bennett Marine at 954-427-1400 to trouble-shoot the issue and start the claim process. You will be asked to complete our Quick and Easy Product Return Form and return the part for warranty evaluation. Parts will be evaluated upon receipt and any part found to meet the above warranty criteria will be repaired or replaced at Bennett’s option. Replacement or repaired part will be shipped at no cost to customer via ground freight to US destinations only. Any expedite methods will be at customers expense.

Transferability

Before expiration of the warranty period, this Limited Warranty is fully transferable to subsequent owners of the boat on which it is originally installed and is void if the product is removed and reinstalled on another boat or is used for purposes for which it was not originally purchased.

Limitation And Exclusion Of Remedies

Bennett’s sole responsibility shall be the repair or replacement, at its option, of any defective part or component. In certain instances Bennett reserves the right to provide refurbished parts. Customer agrees that this is the sole and exclusive remedy under this Limited Warranty. Bennett will not be responsible for any incidental, consequential or indirect damages, including loss of use as a result of any manufacturing defect in a Product. Bennett will not be responsible for labor, haul out, or any other fees associated with the removal or installation of warranted part. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this limitation may not apply to you.

Product Modification

Bennett reserves the right to change, modify or improve the Products without obligation to incorporate such changes in Products previously sold or installed. With respect to components or products replaced under this warranty, Bennett Marine reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to provide updated or current model components or products.

Warranty Period For Bennett Products

***Please note, products not listed on the above table are not covered under Bennett’s Limited Warranty.

***Limited Lifetime Warranty refers to the life of the product, not the boat, or the owner. Limited Lifetime Warranty ends when the product becomes unusable for reasons other than manufacturing defects.

RETURN PROCEDURE FOR CUSTOMERS OUTSIDE US: For international returns, please refer to our worldwide distributor map on our website to contact your local Bennett Marine distributor for warranty and returns procedures in your respective country.