How long does it take to install trim tabs on a Pioneer centre console?

Installing electric trim tabs on a Pioneer centre console takes a professional marine electrician four to six hours. A competent DIY owner should budget a full weekend day, with cable routing through the under-deck rigging tubes consuming the most time.

Choosing Electric Trim Tabs

For an 18 to 20-foot Pioneer with a Yamaha F115, an electric system like the Lenco 9x12 Standard or Edge Mount kit fits well. Electric actuators eliminate the need for a hydraulic pump unit inside the aft bilge. Bennett Bolt electric systems offer another reliable option. Expect to pay £600 to £800 for the complete kit, including the LED indicator switch panel and extension cables.

Mounting Planes and Actuators

This phase takes two hours. Mark the transom, drill pilot holes and screw the stainless steel hinges directly into the fibreglass. Position the tabs 75mm to 100mm outboard of the chine to avoid interfering with the outboard water flow.

• Place a straight edge against the hull bottom. The trailing edge of the tab must sit 16mm above the hull line when fully retracted to prevent dragging at planing speeds.
• Drill the transom penetrations for the actuator cables. Lenco requires a 5/16-inch hole. Chamfer the gelcoat edge of the drilled holes with a countersink bit to prevent spider cracking when driving the screws home.
• Bed all mounting screws and cable glands in a marine polyurethane sealant like Sikaflex 291i or 3M 4200. Avoid 3M 5200. It will tear the gelcoat off if an actuator fails and requires replacement.

Routing Cables to the Console

This unpredictable phase takes one to three hours. Pioneer boats feature a PVC rigging tube running from the aft bilge beneath the deck up to the centre console.

Push a fibreglass wire-pulling snake or stiff nylon draw tape from the console down to the bilge. Tape the actuator extension cables securely to the snake with electrical tape and pull them forward. A rigging tube jammed with the Yamaha main wiring harness, hydraulic steering hoses and transducer cables creates a tight squeeze. Spray silicone lubricant onto the tab cable jackets to help them slide through. Secure the cables with cable ties in the bilge to keep them above the normal water level.