I have a 212 Islander, without any trim tabs. I am trying to improve my hole shot. I have been looking at trim tabs, both hyd/electric as well as the new type that simply have an actuator. I was wondering if anyone had installed a set on a boat my size, and if it is worth the price.

To have a set of hyd/elec, like Bennetts installed is $1500. The other type run $200.

Any information would be appreciated. I know the 212 is not of the size most folks here have. But until my daughter's graduate college, this is the best I can do....for now.

Thanks

I don't think a 212 islander will benefit much from tabs , what power prop and wide open rpm are you running? I had a hammer that was a rocket out of the hole

Hey dallas 01
Dont worry all questions here are cool. hole-shot wise, tabs will help as far as getting on plane fast. But you need to answer assets question about rpm and prop info, in order to get you set up the way you want. But top end and hole shot !!! you have to pick one or the other. Tabs will help balance weight changes (passengers) and bite into rougher water. Cost - well you get what you pay for!! In my area they are selling BAJAs with INSTA-TRIM / BOAT LEVELER CO. ( insta-trim.com ) Pre installed, my boat is an 1988 with them and still work great!! Well good luck
SEA-YA REB

As rebs mentioned, Baja's trim tab option uses the insta-trim system. I've got the dual-ram 12x16's on the 25 outlaw. They are not quite as costly as the Bennets or K-planes. You can start with a single-ram hydraulic system for around 500 bucks. They are really nice and come with controls and indicators.

I use mine often for getting on plane with larger loads and it really makes a pretty dramatic difference. They are also really useful for load leveling and compensating for cross-winds or quartering chop.

Oh ya, btw:

http://www.insta-trim.com/main.html

Dallas,

Check out the topic by Mark Hunter in this section. He went with a 4 blade 19 pitch for a better hole shot, if I remember correctly.

Email him with questions.

I had the very same boat 1995 212 with a 350 magnum. I had a Merc Laser prop on it. IMO you see no improvement in holeshot because of trim tabs. I considered them, but never got them and upgraded to a larger boat. Even with my 27 I never use tabs to get out of whole quicker. Like they said, to level my attitude or I drop them to plod along and be on plane at the same time. Heavier twin engine boats really see the effect of tabs coming onto pane.

The worst I saw on my 212 was a little torque from the mtor and impact from crosswind, but never enough to install tabs. Great if they were already installed, but I'd put the money into the motor.

I just got the boat last year (new) so I was breaking it in and never went above 4500 RPM or so, and the speed was 61-64 on the speedo. I have recently purchased a GPS so I will see actual speed.

The boat came with a Merc Laser 23" prop. I picked up a 21" Stilleto (sp?) over the winter for $200. I belive the boat has all the top end I want as 60+ in a 212 is enough for my family.

Pulling larger/heavier skiers is where I believe I could do better. From what I read above, the tabs will not help me in that. Other than that I am pretty happy with this boat. It runs very strong and rides well. I will look for the info on the 4 blade 19" as suggested by Eric1969.

Thanks for all the input!!

I installed a set of 12 X 16 dual ram bennet hydraulic tabs... cost me 500.00 and did it my self in a day.. All I can say is that it was money well spent. Helped out the holeshot, running attitude, rought water handling, much lower planing speed. With your size boat, you could get away with the 12 x 12 single ram sport tabs, I think they are about 350.00 and installation is pretty straight forward... good luck, plust take into consideration the other advice..

I agree, I loved that 212. One of the best ski boats I had, wish I still had it too. Tabs would help a bit with skiers = throw a good wake too for boarding.