The Boating Forum - Lenco LS 'limited space' tabs

I am sure these must have been discussed here at length, but try as I might I cannot get a thread up using the search.
I am looking to put tabs on a new boat (Scout 180 bay) with a swim platform. The dealer has recommended the Lenco 'shorty' 12x4" tabs. This is the first I have heard of these (I currently run a pair of 9x9 Lencos). Dealer says they work great and I have no reason to disbelieve him - they would certainly make the install easier with respect to the platform. I suppose the question is - if these work so well, why are all the other tabs so big?
Would love some input - this is for a 17'7" boat.
matt

Trim tabs are one of those things where bigger is almost always better. The more you have to deflect the tab down to get the bow down, the more drag they create. Bigger tabs get the job done more efficiently. Bigger tabs also do not require the boat to be moving as fast to be effective.

Notwithstanding, that's a pretty small boat and could respond okay to small tabs. It is pretty specific to each boat design and depends upon many other factors.

The best thing to do if you can is to find a boat like yours with those tabs and try it out to see if you think the tabs are as effective as you would like. You could also try and contact Scout, which might give you better informed advice than the dealer. If you get tabs installed by the factory as an option, what size do they use? That is often the minimum required because for some reason, builders always seem to cut corners on tab size.

Thanks classicguy - that is certainly where my understanding of tabs is - the bigger the better, within reason - which is why I was so intrigued by the suggestion of these 'shorties'. I'm sure the dealer knows what he is talking about, and I would be surprised if Lenco would put out a product that didn't do the job. Its just that they are so much smaller than the usual size. I think I remember reading years ago about tabs that were essentially lowered vertically from the transom a short distance. These may operate on a similar principal as if the vertical movement of the tab is the same as on a 9 or 12" then the face of a 4" will end up much steeper - perhaps providing a similar level of lift?
You're right tho - I will get onto Scout and see what they have to say.

Thanks classicguy - that is certainly where my understanding of tabs is - the bigger the better, within reason - which is why I was so intrigued by the suggestion of these 'shorties'. I'm sure the dealer knows what he is talking about, and I would be surprised if Lenco would put out a product that didn't do the job. Its just that they are so much smaller than the usual size. I think I remember reading years ago about tabs that were essentially lowered vertically from the transom a short distance. These may operate on a similar principal as if the vertical movement of the tab is the same as on a 9 or 12" then the face of a 4" will end up much steeper - perhaps providing a similar level of lift?
You're right tho - I will get onto Scout and see what they have to say.

I would NOT assume that Lenco would not put out a product that did not do the job -- as applied to your boat. The size, shape, placement, and actuator travel all interact with the boat design so Lenco is only controlling part of the equation.

As a general proposition, width is much more important than chord length on tabs so that "shortie" chord length could well work on your boat. But assume nothing as to Lenco or the dealer. You just have to get some hard evidence on the water from a boat like yours equipped with the tabs you have in mind.

Both of the boats I have bought in the last six years, which came from very high-end manufacturers, had standard equipment tabs that were too small to be fully effetive and efficient. I had learned by the second one so I had the factory increase the tabs size when I ordered the boat. To their credit, once the dealer reported back how much better my boat responded, the factory changed their specification to larger tabs.

I don't know about the Lenco LC, but I use the Bennet Sport Tabs (120's) on both my 18 foot parker, and my 21 foot Steiger. The sport tabs are supposed to generate more lift based on the winged edges, and the shape. The shorter ram on the sport tabs may allow you to keep the swim platform in place.

The tabs worked great on both boats (night and day difference in some sea's).

Not trying to start a Lenco VS bennet tab, just throwing out another option.

have Steiger 23 cheaapeake w recessed lenco almost uselessat low speed

Trim tabs are one of those things where bigger is almost always better.


I'd be careful about this kind of generalization. While it seems to make perfect sense, that's not always the case. You can certainly put too much tab on a boat, which makes it "over-responsive" to the tabs, making it difficult to level side to side. It can also cause odd behaviour in some sea conditions.