Lenco 9" x 12" Standard Trim Tab Kit w/LED Switch 12V

The Lenco 9" x 12" Standard Trim Tab Kit is the complete trim tab system that turns a wet, bow-up small-to-mid boat into one that planes flat, runs dry, and squeezes meaningful fuel savings out of the same engine. The 9 by 12 tab size is the right call for boats in the 16 to 25 foot range across most hull styles: bay boats, center consoles, walk-arounds, and cuddy cabins. If you've never run trim tabs before, this kit is the easy place to start. If you're upgrading from an aging hydraulic system, the Lenco electric actuators eliminate the maintenance you've been doing for years.

Why trim tabs matter. They reduce bow rise on hole shot so you can see where you're going coming up on plane. They flatten the boat at cruise so you're not riding on the back third of the hull, which kills speed and fuel economy. They correct list when the wind is on one side or the load is off-center. They drop the ride into the water in chop so you stop pounding off every wave. On a center console specifically, the difference between running with proper tabs dialed in and running without is the difference between getting beat up after 30 minutes and being able to fish all day.

The blades are 12-gauge laser-cut 304 stainless steel with a smooth finish, a 5/8-inch flared trailing edge, and a 1/8-inch diameter hinge pin. 304 stainless is the right grade for blade material in real saltwater service. It holds up to UV, salt spray, and the constant flex cycles that destroy lighter-gauge or non-stainless tabs over a few seasons. The flared trailing edge gives you cleaner water release off the back of the tab, which translates to less drag at full retract.

Lenco's actuators are the differentiator in the trim tab market. They use a ballscrew mechanism instead of hydraulic cylinders, which means instant response when you press the switch. No pump-startup lag, no hydraulic fluid, no oil lines to leak, no priming after a season of sitting. The 15054-001 actuators in this kit are sealed for full submersion and use plug-and-play Deutsch connectors that snap together with no exposed terminals. Each actuator ships with a 6-foot pigtail, plus the kit includes 20-foot actuator extension harnesses for runs back through the transom and up to the helm.

The mounting brackets are the reason a Lenco install works on basically any flat or near-flat transom. The 15085-001 upper mounting bracket sits on the transom face with a gland seal where the actuator wire passes through, sealing the wire entry against water intrusion. The 50014-001 lower mounting bracket attaches to the back of the trim tab blade at the hinge. Both brackets are high-impact corrosion-proof material designed to live in salt for years. All of the mounting hardware in the box is stainless steel.

The LED Integrated Switch kit is the upgrade that makes the system pleasant to live with. The sealed keypad mounts at the helm in a standard switch cutout. Pressing up or down on each tab moves it incrementally, and an LED bar shows current tab position so you know at a glance how much tab you have dialed in. No more guessing whether you're at quarter tab or three-quarters. The control box does the actuator signaling with a 36-inch pigtail back to the harness. Maintenance on the switch is zero.

Install. Plan a Saturday for a first-time install. The Lenco install manual walks you through transom layout, drilling pattern, blade mounting, actuator mounting, and wiring. The blade mounts to the lower edge of the transom on the bottom of the hull, hinged to swing down. The actuator pushes the trailing edge of the blade down to deflect water and lift the stern. Position the inboard edge of each tab one-third of the way out from the engine centerline as a starting point, give yourself enough clearance from the propeller, and you're set. Run the actuator wires up through the bilge, splice into the extension harnesses, and route to the helm. Wire to the included switch via the control box. The whole install is one person if you're comfortable on a trailer, or one person on the boat with a partner up top for a water install.

Tuning. Once the kit is installed, take the boat out and run it. From plane, drop a tiny amount of tab on both sides simultaneously and watch the bow drop. You're looking for the sweet spot where the boat feels level and the bow is just kissing the water. Too much tab and you'll feel the boat dig and lose speed. Too little and you're still on the back third of the hull. After 10 minutes of practice you'll know exactly how your boat wants to be trimmed.

What's in the box. Two 12-gauge stainless steel standard-finish blades, two 15054-001 actuators with 6-foot leads and Deutsch connectors, two 20-foot actuator extension wiring harnesses, two upper mounting brackets with gland seals, two lower mounting brackets, the LED Integrated Switch kit (sealed keypad, control box, 36-inch pigtail), all stainless mounting hardware, and the Lenco install and owner's manual. Complete kit. Nothing else needed beyond a 12V power source and basic install tools.

CE certified. Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock units.