Cobaltchat.com

Big Block Power wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:33 pm Should be lenco right guys.

Cobaltfan wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:25 pm Hi all,

I just picked up a 2016 R5 that doesn't have trim tabs. Does anyone know who Cobalt uses as the OEM parts supplier for tabs? Is it easy enough to install them after market?

akorcovelos wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:17 pm I was contemplating whether to go with Smart Tabs or electric...Obviously Smart Tabs are easier to install, and reviews are great for them, but I also like the idea of having control over the electric ones. We wakeboard a lot, and being able to fully retract the tabs is a must as they flatten the wake. The Smart Tabs I'd have to get in the water and manually lock them in the up position.

Anyone have experience with both to give a comparison?

AsLan7 wrote: Thu Oct 25, 2018 7:36 am

akorcovelos wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:17 pm I was contemplating whether to go with Smart Tabs or electric...Obviously Smart Tabs are easier to install, and reviews are great for them, but I also like the idea of having control over the electric ones. We wakeboard a lot, and being able to fully retract the tabs is a must as they flatten the wake. The Smart Tabs I'd have to get in the water and manually lock them in the up position.

Anyone have experience with both to give a comparison?

I've never used the "poor man's" tabs that are fixed with manual locks. Your Cobalt deserves the electric ones IMHO. We installed Bennett electric ones last year and we really like them. Our prior Cobalt 262 had the Bennett hydraulic. You really can't tell the difference between the two systems (hydraulic vs electric). I also like the auto retract feature of our current ones. Two thumbs up for the electric. Receipt says Tabs were $599.99 and the controller was $434.09. Total with labor came to $1189. I think you can definitely do better on the price but for $1,000, it is worth every penny to be able to balance loads, change wakes, change ride, and change holeshot characteristics.

.

tgrace98 wrote: Thu Oct 25, 2018 8:30 am

AsLan7 wrote: Thu Oct 25, 2018 7:36 am

akorcovelos wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:17 pm I was contemplating whether to go with Smart Tabs or electric...Obviously Smart Tabs are easier to install, and reviews are great for them, but I also like the idea of having control over the electric ones. We wakeboard a lot, and being able to fully retract the tabs is a must as they flatten the wake. The Smart Tabs I'd have to get in the water and manually lock them in the up position.

Anyone have experience with both to give a comparison?

I've never used the "poor man's" tabs that are fixed with manual locks. Your Cobalt deserves the electric ones IMHO. We installed Bennett electric ones last year and we really like them. Our prior Cobalt 262 had the Bennett hydraulic. You really can't tell the difference between the two systems (hydraulic vs electric). I also like the auto retract feature of our current ones. Two thumbs up for the electric. Receipt says Tabs were $599.99 and the controller was $434.09. Total with labor came to $1189. I think you can definitely do better on the price but for $1,000, it is worth every penny to be able to balance loads, change wakes, change ride, and change holeshot characteristics.

.

do your's have the indicator on the location of the tabs? That is the one thing I hate about the hydraulic ones on mine is I cannot tell the location of the tab. So if I have one dug in and stop the boat. Everyone moves around and I take off and the boat tilts I have an oh crap moment.

Cobaltfan wrote: Thu Oct 25, 2018 3:35 pm Are trim tabs a through-hull installation? Should be easy enough for the dealer or a good mechanic to do them, right?

AsLan7 wrote: Thu Oct 25, 2018 7:36 am

akorcovelos wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:17 pm I was contemplating whether to go with Smart Tabs or electric...Obviously Smart Tabs are easier to install, and reviews are great for them, but I also like the idea of having control over the electric ones. We wakeboard a lot, and being able to fully retract the tabs is a must as they flatten the wake. The Smart Tabs I'd have to get in the water and manually lock them in the up position.

Anyone have experience with both to give a comparison?

I've never used the "poor man's" tabs that are fixed with manual locks. Your Cobalt deserves the electric ones IMHO. We installed Bennett electric ones last year and we really like them. Our prior Cobalt 262 had the Bennett hydraulic. You really can't tell the difference between the two systems (hydraulic vs electric). I also like the auto retract feature of our current ones. Two thumbs up for the electric. Receipt says Tabs were $599.99 and the controller was $434.09. Total with labor came to $1189. I think you can definitely do better on the price but for $1,000, it is worth every penny to be able to balance loads, change wakes, change ride, and change holeshot characteristics.

.