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How Do Trim Tabs Work
Boaters will enjoy many performance and efficiency benefits by adding Lectrotab trim
tabs. Lectrotab trim tabs improve fuel efficiency, increase boat speed, accelerate shallow
water planing, eliminate porpoising, and enhance the overall boating experience with a
more comfortable ride.
• Improved Fuel Efficiency and Faster Speeds
Most importantly, the trim tabs may be adjusted to optimize speed and fuel
efficiency. Typically, the bow rides high causing the stern to drag in the water at
cruising or lower speeds. A boat owner will attempt to correct this problem by
trimming his outdrive down to bring the bow down. This adjustment is extremely
inefficient and reduces boat speed and increases fuel consumption, because
trimming of the outdrive pushes water down to allow the transom to rise and bow
to lower. In this scenario, the outdrive is not only propelling the boat forward but
it is also pushing the bow down. The most efficient way to operate the boat is to
adjust the tabs to maximize boat speed and level. The outdrive may then be
adjusted so the prop shaft is parallel to the water to maximize the thrust to push
the boat forward.
• Faster Planing
For shallow water starts, trim tabs allow the boat to get up on plane faster. Faster
planing can be accomplished by lowering the tabs to the fully deployed position.
As the boat achieves plane, trim tabs may be raised until the boat is level.
• Porpoising
Occasionally, an uneven load distribution or certain speeds will cause the boat to
“porpoise”. This problem can easily be corrected by deploying both trim tabs
simultaneously a few degre
es until the “porpoising” stops.
• Boat Leveling
Every boat owner has experienced passengers or equipment moved to one side of
the boat, which causes the boat to lean to one side and leads to difficulty in
handling the boat as well as an uncomfortable ride. Adding trim tabs to a boat
corrects this problem by deploying the tab on the same side as the boat is leaning
towards which levels the boat for a more comfortable ride.
• Head Sea
Rough sea conditions can also be better managed with trim tabs. Typically in a
head sea, the boat speed must be reduced causing the bow to ride high. The waves
will pound and beat the boat bottom for an extremely uncomfortable and slow
ride. Trim tabs can be deployed to level the boat out and allow the hull to cut
through the waves for a smoother and more efficient ride.
• A Beam Sea or Wind
A beam sea or wind can lead to a wet ride. To greatly reduce or eliminate the spray
caused by waves or wind hitting the boat side, the windward side trim tab may be
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