Trim Tabs

[Brunosr]

Called my dealer and he called Colbalt, no problem adding them to my soon to be in production R7!

Thanks to all that commented!

[Cobaltfan]

Hi all,

I just picked up a 2016 R5 that doesn't have trim tabs. Does anyone know who Cobalt uses as the OEM parts supplier for tabs? Is it easy enough to install them after market?

[Big Block Power]

Should be lenco right guys.

[AsLan7]

I know mine were bennett but that was the 2000-2007 series.

[Eric55AMG]

Should be lenco right guys.

That's what my 2011 are.

[Big Block Power]

I'm thinking everyone is switching to electric ones also.

[akorcovelos]

I was contemplating whether to go with Smart Tabs or electric...Obviously Smart Tabs are easier to install, and reviews are great for them, but I also like the idea of having control over the electric ones. We wakeboard a lot, and being able to fully retract the tabs is a must as they flatten the wake. The Smart Tabs I'd have to get in the water and manually lock them in the up position.

Anyone have experience with both to give a comparison?

[tgrace98]

Hi all,

I just picked up a 2016 R5 that doesn't have trim tabs. Does anyone know who Cobalt uses as the OEM parts supplier for tabs? Is it easy enough to install them after market?

R series all have lenco

[AsLan7]

I was contemplating whether to go with Smart Tabs or electric...Obviously Smart Tabs are easier to install, and reviews are great for them, but I also like the idea of having control over the electric ones. We wakeboard a lot, and being able to fully retract the tabs is a must as they flatten the wake. The Smart Tabs I'd have to get in the water and manually lock them in the up position.

Anyone have experience with both to give a comparison?

I've never used the "poor man's" tabs that are fixed with manual locks. Your Cobalt deserves the electric ones IMHO. We installed Bennett electric ones last year and we really like them. Our prior Cobalt 262 had the Bennett hydraulic. You really can't tell the difference between the two systems (hydraulic vs electric). I also like the auto retract feature of our current ones. Two thumbs up for the electric. Receipt says Tabs were $599.99 and the controller was $434.09. Total with labor came to $1189. I think you can definitely do better on the price but for $1,000, it is worth every penny to be able to balance loads, change wakes, change ride, and change holeshot characteristics.

.

[tgrace98]

I was contemplating whether to go with Smart Tabs or electric...Obviously Smart Tabs are easier to install, and reviews are great for them, but I also like the idea of having control over the electric ones. We wakeboard a lot, and being able to fully retract the tabs is a must as they flatten the wake. The Smart Tabs I'd have to get in the water and manually lock them in the up position.

Anyone have experience with both to give a comparison?

I've never used the "poor man's" tabs that are fixed with manual locks. Your Cobalt deserves the electric ones IMHO. We installed Bennett electric ones last year and we really like them. Our prior Cobalt 262 had the Bennett hydraulic. You really can't tell the difference between the two systems (hydraulic vs electric). I also like the auto retract feature of our current ones. Two thumbs up for the electric. Receipt says Tabs were $599.99 and the controller was $434.09. Total with labor came to $1189. I think you can definitely do better on the price but for $1,000, it is worth every penny to be able to balance loads, change wakes, change ride, and change holeshot characteristics.

.

do your's have the indicator on the location of the tabs? That is the one thing I hate about the hydraulic ones on mine is I cannot tell the location of the tab. So if I have one dug in and stop the boat. Everyone moves around and I take off and the boat tilts I have an oh crap moment.

[AsLan7]

I was contemplating whether to go with Smart Tabs or electric...Obviously Smart Tabs are easier to install, and reviews are great for them, but I also like the idea of having control over the electric ones. We wakeboard a lot, and being able to fully retract the tabs is a must as they flatten the wake. The Smart Tabs I'd have to get in the water and manually lock them in the up position.

Anyone have experience with both to give a comparison?

I've never used the "poor man's" tabs that are fixed with manual locks. Your Cobalt deserves the electric ones IMHO. We installed Bennett electric ones last year and we really like them. Our prior Cobalt 262 had the Bennett hydraulic. You really can't tell the difference between the two systems (hydraulic vs electric). I also like the auto retract feature of our current ones. Two thumbs up for the electric. Receipt says Tabs were $599.99 and the controller was $434.09. Total with labor came to $1189. I think you can definitely do better on the price but for $1,000, it is worth every penny to be able to balance loads, change wakes, change ride, and change holeshot characteristics.

.

do your's have the indicator on the location of the tabs? That is the one thing I hate about the hydraulic ones on mine is I cannot tell the location of the tab. So if I have one dug in and stop the boat. Everyone moves around and I take off and the boat tilts I have an oh crap moment.

.
They do sir. The LED's on each side light up with respect to the tab position.

[akorcovelos]

Great info! I checked the Bennett site and the automatic tabs seem to be geared for smaller boats (17' and under), so the electric ones look like the way to go. I need to hide this laundry list of goodies for the boat, my Wife is going to kill me!

[Cobaltfan]

Are trim tabs a through-hull installation? Should be easy enough for the dealer or a good mechanic to do them, right?

[Eric55AMG]

Are trim tabs a through-hull installation? Should be easy enough for the dealer or a good mechanic to do them, right?

The control & power is through-hull ... Then all the screw holes have to be properly sealed.

Second most critical part is proper placement.

[akorcovelos]

I was contemplating whether to go with Smart Tabs or electric...Obviously Smart Tabs are easier to install, and reviews are great for them, but I also like the idea of having control over the electric ones. We wakeboard a lot, and being able to fully retract the tabs is a must as they flatten the wake. The Smart Tabs I'd have to get in the water and manually lock them in the up position.

Anyone have experience with both to give a comparison?

I've never used the "poor man's" tabs that are fixed with manual locks. Your Cobalt deserves the electric ones IMHO. We installed Bennett electric ones last year and we really like them. Our prior Cobalt 262 had the Bennett hydraulic. You really can't tell the difference between the two systems (hydraulic vs electric). I also like the auto retract feature of our current ones. Two thumbs up for the electric. Receipt says Tabs were $599.99 and the controller was $434.09. Total with labor came to $1189. I think you can definitely do better on the price but for $1,000, it is worth every penny to be able to balance loads, change wakes, change ride, and change holeshot characteristics.

.

Way off topic. What drive shower are you running? And a bravo X drive? Is that factory?