What makes the K-plane so much better than conventional trim tabs? I have had both with plates of similar size and there is no comparison in performance.

Thanks

Not much. Simply that they were one of the first. Created by the late Carl Kiekhaefer, the founder of Mercury Marine. Their advantage was/is a marketing base that already exsisted. At the OEM level, it is convenient to simply add them to their exsisting Mercury parts order. Not to mention they are a good product with a good warranty. There are many other good quality trim tabs on the market. But mostly, it has to do with marketing. Example: The old & the new Gaffrig gauge suppliers. The new Gaffrig(Livorsi Marine) is known by the general performance boating public to have good customer service/marketing. The old Gaffrig(and now the "only" Gaffrig) supplier has just as good a product, but because of better marketing, people tend to lean towards Livorsi products. Ed

k-planes are built a little more stout than regular trim tabs. I don't think a regular trim tab would last very long if it was the same length as a 280, or 380 k-plane. I have heard of people tearing trim tabs off their boats.

I think he's refering to bennett tabs verse performance planes. I think its strength, water pressure under a boat at speed is huge and the (k-planes are stronger, I think that tabs flex and could break when re-entering. size may be the same but planes are typically longer so not as much tab is needed to get the desire results

maybe I should have been more specific with my question, the K-planes seem to have the ability to hold the bow down much better than the Lenco tabs I have now even though they are about the same in size.

Thanks for the replies

Here's my analogy:

K-planes versus other tabs is the same as

Cigarette to a Bayliner

makes it real easy to get your girl back into the boat.. down tab up tab..