SV1900 trim tabs

[gtinga]

My boat is a 05 SV1900 with a 115 Suzuki.  Are trim tabs required/recommended for this boat? I've not had any complaints about it's performance but realize there is always room for improvement.  There is a set of NIB Lenco 12x12s with the new LED controller available in my area for $700, seems like an OK (but not outstanding) deal, what do you think?
Thanks! 

[gnrphil]

I wouldn't say they are required but trim tabs are always a good upgrade for any boat, 12X12 would probably be overkill though.

[Juan]

As phil said, you don't "need" them, but I'm sure if you got them, you'd be glad you did. I think that price is about right (at least that's what they sold for a few years ago). I thought my 2100 performed flawlessly without tabs but I didn't realize what I was missing and how much better the performance is with tabs. I've had the 12x12 Lencos for years now and still say it's probably my best addition to the boat. 12x12's might be a little more tab that you need but more surface area is better when it comes to tabs and their 12x9 wouldn't perform as well. If it were me, I'd get em. I also have the Lenco 12 x 9 tabs on my 16 ft Scout. The only problem I see is once you own a boat with trim tabs, you'll never own another without them.

[gtinga]

Thanks for the suggestions gents. Juan, did you have to notch your swim platform at the hull to fit the actuators? Early eyeballing seems to show that I may have to.
Thanks.

[Juan]

Apr 4, 2022 7:51:09 GMT -6 gtinga said:

Thanks for the suggestions gents. Juan, did you have to notch your swim platform at the hull to fit the actuators? Early eyeballing seems to show that I may have to.
Thanks.

I did:

[bftmaster]

Do you think the LED controller is necessary? Looks really handy but adds $$ to the purchase. I dont have trim tabs but am really considering.

[Juan]

Apr 6, 2022 15:05:01 GMT -6 bftmaster said:

Do you think the LED controller is necessary? Looks really handy but adds $$ to the purchase. I dont have trim tabs but am really considering.

It's a matter of preference, I do like bells and whistles but personally I think the LED controller is a waste of money. The ONLY thing it does that the standard controller doesn't is light up to show you the location of the trim tabs and with the standard controller, you will know when your tabs are deployed and how much to deploy each one just by how your boat performs and there's an auto retract function that fully retracts the tabs every time the motor is shut off if you elect to use it so LED lights really do nothing except light up on the switch.

[bftmaster]

Okay, trim tabs forum guys. Before I replace my hydrofoil that I broke during my recent mishap ($150 new), I am looking at installing the Lenco 9x12 electric.

Question: Juan looks like you got the Edge Mount system. Not sure of the difference between standard mount and edge mount. Please inform. Also, how was the install?

[Juan]

It's probably been well over 10 years since I installed my trim tabs but if memory serves me correctly, the only thing difference between the edge mounts and the standard tabs is the edge mounts are supposed to be stronger and support more weight because of the edge and they look better than a flat tab imo.
The installation wasn't hard at all. I had a swim platform on the port side and a power pole on the starboard side I had to deal with and the hardest part was getting over being scared to drill holes in a perfect hull and console. After getting over the fear of drilling holes and cutting a notch in the swim platform, it was easy. Here's some pictures I saved:
The control box. It's plug and play. I mounted it under the console. On it you have an orange wire that controls the automatic retract function. Connecting the orange wire is optional if you don't want to use "auto retract"



The trim tab switch required drill about a 2" hole in the console:



Had to notch the swim platform:



Drilling three holes on each side for the actuator brackets isn't for the faint of heart





I also filed down one side of the tab bracket so that they would fit perfectly against the chrome deck drains:

[bftmaster]

Thanks Juan! That is quality forum content. I will try to document my install as well.

Extra: I ran my boat for the first time without the Stingray Hydrofoil (previous owner installed) and my boat ran way better. I was worried about porpoising, but the boat actually responded nicely to minor motor trim adjustments. With the Stingray is was kinda weird. It either wanted motor trim down or slightly up but was awkward. Today the boat performed nicely in slight chop and actually threw a rooster tail while near my record speed at lower RPM which today = le$$

[seaprojoe]

A little off topic, but how do you replace those black stoppers in the drain port? I seem to have lost one. BTW I'm going to install the Bennet Trim tabs that are automatic.

[Juan]

It's held in place with a retaining clip and screw.

[seaprojoe]

Thank you.