R5 Trim Tab Location
R5 Trim Tab Location
After reading and contributing to the R5 in rough water thread, I'm convinced that I do need to invest in Trim Tabs. To that end, I would like to see some pictures of where the Trim Tabs are located on member's R5s. Can some of you fine people post some pictures.
Also, I spoke to the factory and they shared some information which may be helpful to others.
The boat is pre-wired for Lenco Electric trim tabs (as tgrace98 posted)
The OEM part number is Lenco #10955-103 which is a 9X12 tab
The hardest part may be getting the wires unbundled from the wiring harness and working in the engine compartment which can get tight
I also called Lenco and they confirmed the OEM number above that is not listed on their website, but you can buy the same kit from Lenco which is part numbers:
Basic - 15101-104 - No Auto retract or LED lights on control ($512.12 on Boatplicity with free shipping)
2nd Best - 15104-102 - Auto Retract but no LED lights on control ($576.63 on Boatplicity with free shipping)
Best - 15108-103 - Has both Auto retract and LED lights on control ($730.16 on Boatplicity with free shipping)
I think I'm going to spring for the Best option because it's my Cobalt. My local dealer quoted me verbally $3,000 to install them. After watching some videos, I feel like I am comfortable taking a shot at it. Has anyone on the forum installed their own? Are there any tips or lessons learned?
Also, I spoke to the factory and they shared some information which may be helpful to others.
The boat is pre-wired for Lenco Electric trim tabs (as tgrace98 posted)
The OEM part number is Lenco #10955-103 which is a 9X12 tab
The hardest part may be getting the wires unbundled from the wiring harness and working in the engine compartment which can get tight
I also called Lenco and they confirmed the OEM number above that is not listed on their website, but you can buy the same kit from Lenco which is part numbers:
Basic - 15101-104 - No Auto retract or LED lights on control ($512.12 on Boatplicity with free shipping)
2nd Best - 15104-102 - Auto Retract but no LED lights on control ($576.63 on Boatplicity with free shipping)
Best - 15108-103 - Has both Auto retract and LED lights on control ($730.16 on Boatplicity with free shipping)
I think I'm going to spring for the Best option because it's my Cobalt. My local dealer quoted me verbally $3,000 to install them. After watching some videos, I feel like I am comfortable taking a shot at it. Has anyone on the forum installed their own? Are there any tips or lessons learned?
2015 Marker One M27
300 HP Mercury Verado outboard
Golden Retriever (Bailey), Flat Coated Retriever (Sadie)
300 HP Mercury Verado outboard
Golden Retriever (Bailey), Flat Coated Retriever (Sadie)
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Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
.Motex2011 wrote: Thu Jul 09, 2020 11:59 am After reading and contributing to the R5 in rough water thread, I'm convinced that I do need to invest in Trim Tabs. To that end, I would like to see some pictures of where the Trim Tabs are located on member's R5s. Can some of you fine people post some pictures.
Also, I spoke to the factory and they shared some information which may be helpful to others.
The boat is pre-wired for Lenco Electric trim tabs (as tgrace98 posted)
The OEM part number is Lenco #10955-103 which is a 9X12 tab
The hardest part may be getting the wires unbundled from the wiring harness and working in the engine compartment which can get tight
I also called Lenco and they confirmed the OEM number above that is not listed on their website, but you can buy the same kit from Lenco which is part numbers:
Basic - 15101-104 - No Auto retract or LED lights on control ($512.12 on Boatplicity with free shipping)
2nd Best - 15104-102 - Auto Retract but no LED lights on control ($576.63 on Boatplicity with free shipping)
Best - 15108-103 - Has both Auto retract and LED lights on control ($730.16 on Boatplicity with free shipping)
I think I'm going to spring for the Best option because it's my Cobalt. My local dealer quoted me verbally $3,000 to install them. After watching some videos, I feel like I am comfortable taking a shot at it. Has anyone on the forum installed their own? Are there any tips or lessons learned?
.
We have the “best” option mentioned above (although made by Bennett). Same features though. The LED’s are a must have. Auto retract is nice if forgotten.
.
2002 Cobalt 262
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
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Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
Get them added before TRL in 2 weeks. Lol
Best advise drill twice measure once

Best advise drill twice measure once
03Cobalt220 8.1gxi DP
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"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
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Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
I wonder if the older boats were pre-wired for tabs?
1996 252 Whipple tuned 454 Magnum MPI, 496 exhaust, Corsa Captains Call, B3 w/Simrek drive shower.
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Fox Chain O' Lakes
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Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
Call up customer service they will know for sure.
And back to the topic. Option 3 for sure as that is the way they come from the factory. So once installed will look oem
2019 Cobalt R7 VP 6.2 380hp
“Smooth Operator”
Lake St. Louis, MO
Table Rock Lake
“Smooth Operator”
Lake St. Louis, MO
Table Rock Lake
Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
Factory TT pic on 2020 R5. Auto-retract a must for me - especially being in dry stack. Couldn't imagine not having LEDs either...
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2020 Cobalt R5
Ebony/KO Red boot stripe
VP V8-380-DP, Trim Tabs
Arch, Interior LED, ACR
Prem Sound, Sea Grass
Blue UW Lights
Mooring Cover
Ebony/KO Red boot stripe
VP V8-380-DP, Trim Tabs
Arch, Interior LED, ACR
Prem Sound, Sea Grass
Blue UW Lights
Mooring Cover
Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
Here’s my 2014. Lenco’s with auto retract. This is my first boat with trim tabs and I wouldn’t have another boat without them.
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Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
You are hilarious... to yourself! Actually, I would love to have them installed by then, but it has been so hot in Texas that I don't think I would survive the process. Plus, I'm working on buffing the boat for TRL. I started Friday and spent about 3 hours on the Starboard side. This is my first time doing this and it is an A$$ kicking. The work itself isn't horrible until you have to hit the same spot for the umpteenth time. Fortunately, there is only two spots with fender rash, but I'm learning how to be patient and change buffing bonnets. It is very slow cleaning up the worst spots butI feel like a pro when I'm buffing the rest of the boat because that starts to shine very quickly. I plan to bring all my stuff to TRL, so maybe some of you weirdos can show me how a pro does it.Big Block Power wrote: Thu Jul 09, 2020 8:42 pm Get them added before TRL in 2 weeks. Lol
Best advise drill twice measure once![]()
2015 Marker One M27
300 HP Mercury Verado outboard
Golden Retriever (Bailey), Flat Coated Retriever (Sadie)
300 HP Mercury Verado outboard
Golden Retriever (Bailey), Flat Coated Retriever (Sadie)
Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
Thanks Snowman. Great helpSnowman8 wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 6:25 am Here’s my 2014. Lenco’s with auto retract. This is my first boat with trim tabs and I wouldn’t have another boat without them.
2015 Marker One M27
300 HP Mercury Verado outboard
Golden Retriever (Bailey), Flat Coated Retriever (Sadie)
300 HP Mercury Verado outboard
Golden Retriever (Bailey), Flat Coated Retriever (Sadie)
Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
Thanks Greenhut. Great picture. I'm feeling more confident by the second.greenhut wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 1:21 pm Factory TT pic on 2020 R5. Auto-retract a must for me - especially being in dry stack. Couldn't imagine not having LEDs either...
2015 Marker One M27
300 HP Mercury Verado outboard
Golden Retriever (Bailey), Flat Coated Retriever (Sadie)
300 HP Mercury Verado outboard
Golden Retriever (Bailey), Flat Coated Retriever (Sadie)
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Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
Here is our 2020 R-5 with the factory installed trim tabs
Positional indicator is at the helm with auto retract.
Positional indicator is at the helm with auto retract.
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Norris_Boating
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Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
So, it seems like every cobalt I see with trim tabs has the swim platform is raised up several inches. This makes it harder to get out of the water with the swim step, I am not sure the reason for this just an observation. It may be just in the R'series. Has anybody else noticed this?
2016 220
2019 R7 Surf
White and Red V8-380CE EVC DP (FWD) - 380 hp
2019 R7 Surf
White and Red V8-380CE EVC DP (FWD) - 380 hp
Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
I think you are seeing things. They do not change the mold for trim tab as they can be added after the fact.Norris_Boating wrote: Wed Jul 15, 2020 8:17 am So, it seems like every cobalt I see with trim tabs has the swim platform is raised up several inches. This makes it harder to get out of the water with the swim step, I am not sure the reason for this just an observation. It may be just in the R'series. Has anybody else noticed this?
2019 Cobalt R7 VP 6.2 380hp
“Smooth Operator”
Lake St. Louis, MO
Table Rock Lake
“Smooth Operator”
Lake St. Louis, MO
Table Rock Lake
Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
You are seeing things. The swim platform and step are the same with or without trim tabs.Norris_Boating wrote: Wed Jul 15, 2020 8:17 am So, it seems like every cobalt I see with trim tabs has the swim platform is raised up several inches. This makes it harder to get out of the water with the swim step, I am not sure the reason for this just an observation. It may be just in the R'series. Has anybody else noticed this?
Re: R5 Trim Tab Location
Well, as often, I am a little late.
Here are pics of a factory install tabs on a 2020 R5
Here are pics of a factory install tabs on a 2020 R5
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Capt Bob
Admiral Elaine
Currently a whole lot less Boatless, Now have possession of a new R5!
2020 R5 6.2 350 HP Merc
Admiral Elaine
Currently a whole lot less Boatless, Now have possession of a new R5!
2020 R5 6.2 350 HP Merc
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