Searched site but couldn't find it on here so if there is already a thread I apologize. I'm having a boat built and am deciding on which tabs I should get. Advise appreciated.
Bennett vs Lenco
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I like my Lenco they've been on my boat since "97 only replaced one actuator
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Well since they are owned by the same company with the same poor customer service I think you get what you get with either choice. So my obvious frustration with them aside, go with Lenco. The only real issues I've had on my boat have been the trim tabs. Lenco did redesign the control switch and control box integrating them in 2016 which seemed to have solved a lot of the unreliability issues. When they do work, they work great, don't take much space, and are easy to install.
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19,347 Posts
Lenco
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575 Posts
subscribed , replacing some volvos on a project boat
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7,866 Posts
Lenco....tabs down
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Bennet Bolts where the standard equipment on mine. I believe he actuators are warrantied for life. It's nice not having a pump and the indicator display will impress your friends
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When did they get paired together? Or has it been like that forever?
I had bennett tabs on my action craft and had the pump go out. I talked to Tom, better known as "Tabman" on the phone and he had me check a couple things. I ended up sending the unit back to them. When he got it he verified that the pump motor was indeed bad and that it was 4 years out of warranty. He said not to worry and sent me a new one, under warranty. When I got the box there was cylinder rebuild kits and a note saying that, based on the age of the pump, I might want to freshen up the cylinders too.
I have heard a lot of good things about Bennett Tabs and their warranty procedure. Unfortunately Tom passed away about 6 months ago.
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Ok, I did a little digging and they are NOT owned by the same company. So Lenco is responsible for their own problems. Bennett is owned by Yamaha Marine. My bad Bennett Marine. That being said, I still say Lenco's for a skiff.
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I installed Bennetts on my old Maverick years ago - long before Lenco came along. They were designed from the beginning to be owner installed. Based on service alone for many years I'd recommend Bennett over anything else. Mine are almost 30 years old now - and still running strong.
Over the years I've replaced several switches and pumps but I'm in hard commercial service. Bennett's support for their customers has always been outstanding...
Things have changed though. Nowadays most builders of small skiffs install Lenco trim tabs and they're pretty reliable.. Here's the differences you'll want to consider... Bennetts are hydraulic with a pump mounted inside the boat that's electric to power the system (anyone with an older PowerPole has one of those pumps powering their pole...). With the actuators hydraulic - there's little to go wrong - but the Bennett tabs move slower than the Lencos.. Nowadays, though, Bennett also offers electric actuators so you can choose between hydraulic or electric actuators...
Lenco has electric motors inside each actuator (the piston that actually moves the tab) so they're a bit more vulnerable to salt problems than the Bennetts - but as already noted - most new skiffs come with Lenco tabs installed... They're certainly quicker to respond (but that can occasionally cause some trouble if the controlling switches go bad on very small skiff..). If one of your tabs suddenly powers down without you touching the controls it can be quite a surprise on a very small skiff (understatement - but in recent years Lenco systems seem much more reliable than they were a few years back...).
As already noted I've been running the older style tabs for years so that's what I'm accustomed to. Each owner will need to decide for themselves what to choose...
Over the years I've replaced several switches and pumps but I'm in hard commercial service. Bennett's support for their customers has always been outstanding...
Things have changed though. Nowadays most builders of small skiffs install Lenco trim tabs and they're pretty reliable.. Here's the differences you'll want to consider... Bennetts are hydraulic with a pump mounted inside the boat that's electric to power the system (anyone with an older PowerPole has one of those pumps powering their pole...). With the actuators hydraulic - there's little to go wrong - but the Bennett tabs move slower than the Lencos.. Nowadays, though, Bennett also offers electric actuators so you can choose between hydraulic or electric actuators...
Lenco has electric motors inside each actuator (the piston that actually moves the tab) so they're a bit more vulnerable to salt problems than the Bennetts - but as already noted - most new skiffs come with Lenco tabs installed... They're certainly quicker to respond (but that can occasionally cause some trouble if the controlling switches go bad on very small skiff..). If one of your tabs suddenly powers down without you touching the controls it can be quite a surprise on a very small skiff (understatement - but in recent years Lenco systems seem much more reliable than they were a few years back...).
As already noted I've been running the older style tabs for years so that's what I'm accustomed to. Each owner will need to decide for themselves what to choose...
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