Trim Tab Replacement Options - Maxum 2400 SE

[Daleo56]

I recently purchased a 2004 Maxum 2400 SE and I am going through each system checking, testing and upgrading if needed. I am now looking at the trim tabs. They work ok as designed however when I was out on the water I could not tell the position of each tab. I ended up going all the way back up on a few occasions and then toggling back down to feel what was riding right.

I thought an indicator on the switch might help me out. I started looking around. I read these are probably Boat Leveler brand tabs? If so, they want $350 for their version of an trim indicator switch and sensor set up.

TAB LOCATOR SET ROUND BLACK INDICATOR PANEL - Tab Locators

Also, I have read here that these stock tabs (12x9?) may not be quite enough tab for this size boat. If I were to upgrade the tabs to 14" or even 18", assuming they would fit and not interfere with my transom transducer, it would be another $300. This puts me at $650 which is the cost of a new Bennett set with the same options.

Bennett Standard Trim Tab Kit

So, either way I have to:

• Move and remount the cylinder
• Move and remount the tabs
• Cut more holes and run new wires

...or I can leave them alone...

Any thoughts?

and I guess they make some without hydraulics, self retracting, self leveling and even with NMEA 2000? Very cool!

[mmwjr]

Yes these are Boat Leveler, you can bolt on larger tabs to the existing ones or add wings (not sure the real term) to the edges to improve performance.

Tom (Tabman) from Bennett posts here occasionally and will give his input.

BTY the pump in the last picture is not the tab pump but the driver trim pump.

Pump should be red, mine is on the starboard side.

[forbes210]

2 years ago I replaced mine with 18 x 11 and so far thats the best improvement I did. My 2500 scr is similar style boat and with bigger tabs is way more useful in choppy waters. When its really nasty I can slow down to 12 knots and stay on plane. Also I get better cruising with the tabs slightly down vs all the way up. Since I had an existing system from boat leveler I just added their indicator before the season of 2014. It all worked great till the September and indicators started acting funny showing false reading. Called the manufacture which sends me new tab locators. Replaced them and everything started working again. October of 2015 the same problem with indicator. I'm about to call them to find out if thats a common problem. BTW last picture shows outdrive trim pump. The one for the tabs should be red plastic most likely attached to the inside of the transom.

[Daleo56]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

BTY the pump in the last picture is not the tab pump but the driver trim pump.

Pump should be red, mine is on the starboard side.

Originally Posted by forbes210

BTW last picture shows outdrive trim pump. The one for the tabs should be red plastic most likely attached to the inside of the transom.

Found it.

[mmwjr]

Yep

[Daleo56]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Yep

I found a better picture of the current tab location along the strake.

[Daleo56]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Yes these are Boat Leveler, you can bolt on larger tabs to the existing ones or add wings (not sure the real term) to the edges to improve performance.

I found a set of 18 x 9 tabs for $100 on Ebay. I will bolt them on this weekend.

[Phillbo]

You are way overthinking this. I have a 2004 2500SE and NEVER need to use the tabs other than the level the boat due to wind.

[mmwjr]

I find they help keep the bow down when getting on plane as well as decrease time to plane.

I also use them to balance side to side load with different passanger loads and seating.

[Daleo56]

The existing tabs seem to help me on the open water. The Bennett website says 18 x 12 but I figured if I went with the 18 x 9 I would not have to change the ram or location of the existing hardware.

Tab Sizing Guidelines | Bennett Marine

Tim

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by Daleo56

The existing tabs seem to help me on the open water. The Bennett website says 18 x 12 but I figured if I went with the 18 x 9 I would not have to change the ram or location of the existing hardware.

Tab Sizing Guidelines | Bennett Marine

Tim

They also offer wings (not sure of the real term) that bolt to the outer edges to increase performance.

[Daleo56]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

They also offer wings (not sure of the real term) that bolt to the outer edges to increase performance.

I saw the Drop Fin set but they were only for 12" chords and it seemed based on an other Maxum post that they may create more drag on my application. I was not sure so I just went with the slightly larger ones.

Bennett Drop Fin Set

Tim