R5 Trim Tab Location

[Motex2011]

Thanks for all of your help. I just pulled the trigger and ordered the Top of the line version. They were $871 and some change and another $300 to $400 to install them. They arrive on Tuesday and I have a guy at the lake who can install them, but it may be a few weeks. I will definitely post pictures and give a captains report.

[Motex2011]

These arrived fast!

[Big Block Power]

Nice. Why do you think you need them?

[AsLan7]

These arrived fast!

.
Nice M2011! Hope the install goes just as fast.

They’ll really help you balance that boat..especially being a side entry.

[cmattj]

So, it seems like every cobalt I see with trim tabs has the swim platform is raised up several inches. This makes it harder to get out of the water with the swim step, I am not sure the reason for this just an observation. It may be just in the R'series. Has anybody else noticed this?

Nothing to do with tabs... But you are right on the R5.
R3 and R7 have the swim platforms at the body line.
The R5 swim platform is molded 2-3 inches higher.
As I spent a week floating with a boozer along side all the models at the Cobalt Regatta at Table Rock I can report this is fact.
The R5 uses longer swing arms for the flip down step as a result.

Ok back to my boozer.

[Motex2011]

Nice. Why do you think you need them?

Between the wind and boat wakes, it is hard to get up on plane for any amount of time. So, this will help change my boating life and I heard it will help my hair grow back. I would appreciate it if anyone could confirm that trim tabs make your hair grow back.

[tgrace98]

Nice. Why do you think you need them?

Between the wind and boat wakes, it is hard to get up on plane for any amount of time. So, this will help change my boating life and I heard it will help my hair grow back. I would appreciate it if anyone could confirm that trim tabs make your hair grow back.

I've had tabs on my last 3 boats and you have seen my head. So I hate to tell you the hair won't grow back lol. But your passengers aboard the boat will appreciate the much smoother ride.

[akorcovelos]

Nice. Why do you think you need them?

Between the wind and boat wakes, it is hard to get up on plane for any amount of time. So, this will help change my boating life and I heard it will help my hair grow back. I would appreciate it if anyone could confirm that trim tabs make your hair grow back.

Never heard that about tabs, but big blocks grow hair, just not on your head.

[Big Block Power]

Nice. Why do you think you need them?

Between the wind and boat wakes, it is hard to get up on plane for any amount of time. So, this will help change my boating life and I heard it will help my hair grow back. I would appreciate it if anyone could confirm that trim tabs make your hair grow back.

Never heard that about tabs, but big blocks grow hair, just not on your head.

Lmao
Liquid said I have a sweater. Is that what you meant

[akorcovelos]

Between the wind and boat wakes, it is hard to get up on plane for any amount of time. So, this will help change my boating life and I heard it will help my hair grow back. I would appreciate it if anyone could confirm that trim tabs make your hair grow back.

Never heard that about tabs, but big blocks grow hair, just not on your head.

Lmao
Liquid said I have a sweater. Is that what you meant

See! Point proven! Big blocks give you a man sweater!

[Motex2011]

Tabs installed last week, but did not get wiring done or take pics yet.

Time and wife permitting, I plan to run the wires today and finish the install. I wanted to use the Cobalt wires from the harness, but they aren't the Deutsche connectors, so I am going to use the wires provided and fish them. Should be less mess and will save me from having to buy more connectors and a crimping tool which is stupid expensive. I will install the provided D connectors in the back and hook up wires provided, fish them to the helm, drill my hole for the controller and clip them into the console connectors. After that, I have the wire numbers for the open 20 amp fuse for trim tabs and Accessory wire. Derek at the factory gave me the numbers of the wires, so I just need to cut the zip ties and pull the right wires and then connect.

Should be pretty straight forward other than the heat - Right? I'm built for cold weather, so I get cranky and make mistakes when I overheat. I will upload pics, but I want to clean up the tabs better. I went crazy on the 5200 marine adhesive and it is not a tidy install on the back. So, keep your comments to yourself - BBP! hehe

When this is all done, I will post about the install. There was a moment when I S&#t my pants. Something happened that I was not expecting, but it is ok.

[Big Block Power]

Can't wait. Don't worry about me. Matt has better eyes then I do. Ok yes I would worry. It's coming.
Ok what was the oh sht moment. Don't leave us hanging.

[Motex2011]

Can't wait. Don't worry about me. Matt has better eyes then I do. Ok yes I would worry. It's coming.
Ok what was the oh sht moment. Don't leave us hanging.

Actually, you’re right about Matt. That guy will see every issue. The wiring was a two part story. I decided to use the wires that came with it since Cobalt didn’t use the D connectors in 2014. So, I fished the wires pretty fast and then drilled the hole for the controller. All very smooth and then the struggle started.

I had the number of the wires I needed but could only find one for the ACC, not the breaker. I searched for those wires for over an hour. I got into the storage area in front of the helm and dropped the upper trim panel to trace the wire from the breaker but colors changed along the way and I could not find the right number. Talked to Cobalt factory several time and he was no help. Eventually, my wife said enough, so I connected the ACC to say I accomplished something and off we went. As soon as we took off I realized that my instrument panel wasn’t working. Nothing. We ended up in the cove and my wife was able to cool off but I kept climbing back under the helm. Finally, undid the ACC connection and returned original wiring and instruments started working. Ok, I just figure that out. I added my ACC wire to the existing wiring and wrapped it up and all worked, but still no power

Stay tuned.

[Big Block Power]

Fun. At least it cooled down this weekend
What to 112?
It's 70 here and windy. Feels like 50.

[Motex2011]

Back from the lake and I don't have to type on my phone. After we arrived at the cove and anchored by some friends, I just could not let it go and I kept sticking my head down under the helm and looking at wires. Eventually, grabbed a wire with an empty plug and wires that was a close match to what the Cobalt rep said and TA DA, it worked. What a great feeling. I still want to do a little more research on the wire and try to find out what it actually goes to. I have several circuit breakers that aren't being used, so I'm guessing that it was one of two accessories or one of the other unused circuits.

But, I was able to get it hooked up and it works great. It makes the boat feel much bigger compared to not having the tabs. I am definitely prone to 2 footitis and the trim tabs make the boat handle so much better that I think I can hold off on a larger boat for longer now. It handles the chop and waves so much better. If anyone is following this thread and thinking about trim tabs, I would tell you to do it. I don't think I will ever buy a boat without them again.

As for the oh crap moment. I installed them just like the pics in this thread. As I was aligning things, it became obvious that the curve of that back part of the hull (not transom) is such that you can only really install them in that spot. So things lined up pretty easy and I went to drill the first hole 1 1/4 inch deep just like the instructions said. I had tape on the drill bit to mark the stopping point and at about an inch, the bit was clean through and I freaked out because I was expecting that part to be at least a few inches or more thick. But, after catching my breath and getting my pulse under 150, I realized that this was not the transom and it wasn't designed to be that thick, so my expectation was off, not the boat or instructions. So, I finished off the holes and installed the tab. The first one took a good while due to the anxiety and wanting to be perfect. The second one was much faster and Lenco did a great job of making the wiring as easy as possible. I have nothing but good things to say about their products.