Reviewing the Bennett Autotrim Pro: A Comprehensive Analysis

Explore our in-depth review of the Bennett AutoTrim Pro, a cutting-edge trim tab system for boats. Discover its features, performance, installation, and user feedback.

The Bennett AutoTrim Pro (ATP) is an advanced trim tab control system designed to enhance the boating experience by automatically adjusting trim tabs to optimize vessel performance, stability, and fuel efficiency. This all-in-one system combines automatic and manual control with real-time position indication, promising a seamless integration into various boat types. In this detailed analysis, we explore the ATP’s features, technical specifications, design, performance, installation process, maintenance requirements, and real-world user experiences, providing a holistic view for boaters considering this upgrade.

Understanding the Bennett AutoTrim Pro

Trim tabs are critical for optimizing a boat’s performance by adjusting its pitch and roll, ensuring stability and efficiency across varying conditions. The Bennett AutoTrim Pro stands out as a sophisticated solution that automates these adjustments, reducing the need for constant manual input. Aimed at both recreational and professional boaters, the ATP is marketed as a “cruise control” for trim tabs, adapting to changes in speed, load, and sea conditions to maintain an optimal running attitude.

The system’s appeal lies in its ability to simplify boat handling, making it accessible for novices while offering advanced features for experienced mariners. By automatically leveling the boat’s pitch and roll, the ATP promises smoother rides, improved fuel economy, and enhanced safety, particularly in challenging waters. Its compatibility with existing hydraulic trim tab systems and ease of installation further enhance its attractiveness as an upgrade for a wide range of vessels.

Key Features of the Bennett AutoTrim Pro

The AutoTrim Pro is packed with features designed to elevate the boating experience. Below are its standout functionalities:

• AutoTrim Technology: The patented AutoTrim technology is the heart of the system, automatically adjusting trim tabs based on real-time data from boat speed, load distribution, and sea conditions. This ensures the boat maintains an optimal angle, reducing bow rise and correcting roll without manual intervention.
• Manual Control with Override: Boaters can switch to manual mode at any time, using the intuitive Control Display Unit (CDU) to fine-tune tab positions. This flexibility is ideal for specific conditions requiring precise adjustments.
• Trim Tab Position Indication: LED indicators on the CDU provide real-time feedback on tab positions, with adjustable light intensity for visibility in various lighting conditions.
• One-Touch Full Up/Down Buttons: These allow quick manual adjustments, such as deploying tabs fully for hole-shot acceleration or retracting them for running in a following sea.
• Automatic Tab Retraction: The system retracts tabs to the full-up position when the ignition is turned off, protecting them during storage or trailering.
• OEM Customizable Response Time: Boat builders can configure the system’s reaction time to match engine power, hull type, or tab size, enhancing performance for specific vessels.

These features collectively aim to streamline boat operation, improve efficiency, and enhance safety, making the ATP a compelling choice for modern boaters.

Technical Specifications

The Bennett AutoTrim Pro is engineered for durability and compatibility across a range of marine applications. Below is a detailed table summarizing its key specifications:

The ATP is available for hydraulic trim tab systems, with a separate version for electric systems. Its compact control unit and waterproof connectors ensure seamless integration, while the voltage range supports diverse electrical setups. The system’s adaptability to various boat sizes, from small recreational vessels to larger commercial crafts, enhances its versatility.

Chart: System Components

To illustrate the ATP’s components and their interactions, the following chart provides a visual overview:

This chart highlights the interconnected nature of the ATP’s components, emphasizing the plug-and-play design that simplifies installation.

Design and Build Quality

The AutoTrim Pro is designed to blend functionality with durability, ensuring it withstands the harsh marine environment while enhancing a boat’s aesthetics.

Aesthetics and Material Quality

The ATP features a sleek, streamlined design that integrates seamlessly with a boat’s helm, adding a modern, sophisticated touch. Its components are crafted from high-quality materials:

• Stainless Steel Trim Plates: Corrosion-resistant, ensuring longevity in saltwater environments.
• Composite Components: Lightweight yet durable, contributing to the system’s efficiency and resistance to marine wear.

The attention to detail in material selection and design ensures the ATP not only performs well but also complements the vessel’s appearance. The compact keypad and control unit are engineered for minimal space usage, making them suitable for boats of all sizes.

Durability and Longevity

Built to endure the rigors of marine environments, the ATP’s robust construction minimizes maintenance needs and ensures reliable operation. Bennett Marine, with over 50 years of experience, has a reputation for producing high-quality marine accessories. The ATP’s corrosion-resistant materials and sealed connectors protect against water ingress, extending the system’s lifespan even in challenging conditions.

User feedback, however, highlights some durability concerns, particularly with early units. Reports of control modules failing after winter storage or requiring multiple replacements suggest potential issues with initial production batches. Bennett’s three-year warranty and responsive replacement policy mitigate these concerns, but they underscore the importance of rigorous testing and quality control.

Performance Evaluation

The AutoTrim Pro’s performance is a critical factor in its appeal, promising enhanced stability, efficiency, and control. Below, we evaluate its performance across key metrics.

Speed and Efficiency

The ATP’s AutoTrim technology optimizes trim tab angles to reduce drag, improving fuel efficiency and acceleration. By automatically adjusting tabs, the system minimizes bow rise during takeoff, allowing boats to plane faster. Users report noticeable fuel savings, particularly on long runs, as the system maintains an optimal running attitude without constant manual adjustments.

Accuracy and Precision

The system’s real-time adjustments ensure precise control, correcting roll due to uneven loads or shifting weight. The LED indicators provide clear feedback, allowing boaters to monitor tab activity and make manual adjustments when needed. However, user experiences indicate inconsistent performance, with some units failing to recognize acceleration or overcompensating by deploying tabs fully, leading to plowing or instability.

Stability in Varied Conditions

The ATP excels in maintaining stability across calm and rough waters. Its ability to adjust tabs dynamically ensures a smooth ride, even when conditions change rapidly. However, user reports suggest that in following seas or during hard acceleration, the system may deploy tabs excessively, potentially compromising control. Manual mode is recommended in such scenarios to avoid erratic behavior.

Real-World Performance Issues

User feedback from forums like iBoats reveals significant challenges with early ATP units:

• Calibration Difficulties: Many users struggled with the calibration process, particularly the hard acceleration step, which often failed to register, leading to erratic tab behavior.
• Erratic Tab Deployment: Several boaters reported tabs deploying fully down at high speeds (e.g., 40 mph), causing dangerous veering or plowing.
• Reliability Concerns: Multiple users required several replacement units, with some reporting up to six replacements over a few seasons. Issues persisted despite correct installation and calibration.
• Safety Risks: Erratic tab movements, such as sudden full deployment, posed safety hazards, particularly at high speeds or in rough conditions.

Despite these issues, some users, like Ron54, reported success after careful calibration and horizontal mounting, suggesting that proper setup and newer units may improve performance. Bennett’s claim that thousands of units work perfectly contrasts with these reports, indicating potential variability in manufacturing or compatibility with specific boats.

Ease of Use and Installation

The ATP is designed for user-friendly operation and straightforward installation, making it accessible to both DIY enthusiasts and professional installers.

User Interface and Controls

The Control Display Unit (CDU) features an intuitive interface with clear LED indicators for tab position and system status. The keypad’s ergonomic design ensures comfortable operation, even during extended use. Key controls include:

• Favorite Settings (FAV1/FAV2): Store two preferred trim settings for automatic operation.
• Manual Override: Switch to manual mode with a single button press.
• All Up/Down Buttons: Enable quick adjustments for specific scenarios.

Users praise the CDU’s visibility and ease of use, though some report issues with settings not holding or the system shutting off unexpectedly.

Installation Process and Requirements

The ATP’s plug-and-play design simplifies installation, with waterproof connectors and a comprehensive guide. Key requirements include:

• Power Connections: The helm display requires a constant 12-24V power source (orange wire) and an ignition-switched source (purple wire). The control unit typically connects directly to the battery.
• Mounting: Bennett states the control unit can be mounted in any orientation, but user experiences suggest horizontal mounting under the helm improves performance.
• Compatibility: The system integrates with most hydraulic trim tab systems, though non-Bennett systems may require an additional sensor kit.

Installation challenges reported by users include:

• Wiring Confusion: Contradictory instructions regarding power connections (e.g., orange wire to battery vs. switched source) caused confusion.
• Calibration Complexity: The multi-step calibration process, requiring specific conditions like hard acceleration, proved difficult for some users.
• Mounting Issues: Vertical mounting led to erratic behavior in some cases, resolved by switching to horizontal orientation.

Despite these challenges, users like Ron54 successfully installed the ATP with Lenco tabs, indicating that careful adherence to updated instructions and optimal mounting can yield positive results.

Maintenance and Support

Maintaining the AutoTrim Pro is straightforward, with minimal requirements to ensure long-term performance.

Routine Maintenance Requirements

• Inspection and Cleaning: Regularly check trim plates and components for debris or corrosion. Bennett provides detailed maintenance guidelines to keep the system in top condition.
• Electrical Checks: Ensure connections remain secure and free of corrosion, particularly in saltwater environments.
• Calibration Verification: Periodically re-calibrate the system to maintain accuracy, especially after long-term storage.

The ATP’s durable materials reduce maintenance needs, but user reports of units failing after winter storage suggest sensitivity to environmental factors or power interruptions.

Customer Support and Warranty

Bennett Marine offers robust customer support, including:

• Technical Assistance: A dedicated support team assists with installation, calibration, and troubleshooting. However, users frequently report delays in responses or unreturned calls, as seen in AllDodge’s experience.
• Warranty: The ATP comes with a three-year warranty, restarting with each replacement unit. This policy has been a lifeline for users facing repeated failures, though shipping costs for returns can add up (e.g., AllDodge spent ~$100 on returns).
• Replacement Process: Bennett typically requires faulty units to be returned before sending replacements, which can delay resolutions, especially during peak boating seasons.

User feedback highlights mixed experiences with support. While some received prompt replacements, others, like AllDodge and Broadwayauto, faced prolonged issues and inconsistent communication, suggesting room for improvement in Bennett’s support infrastructure.

Pricing and Value

The Bennett AutoTrim Pro is priced at approximately $549.00, a significant discount from its retail price of $869.00. This cost includes the control unit, helm display, and necessary cables, making it a competitive option compared to other trim tab indicators or automatic systems like Lenco’s. Additional costs may include:

• Sensor Kit for Non-Bennett Systems: ~$100-$150.
• Shipping for Returns: Users reported costs of ~$100 for multiple returns.
• Installation: Professional installation may add $200-$500, depending on complexity.

While the ATP offers significant value when functioning correctly, its reliability issues and potential for repeated replacements can increase the total cost of ownership. For boaters prioritizing reliability, alternatives like Lenco’s auto-trim system or manual indicators (e.g., Bennett EIC 5000, ~$250) may be worth considering.

User Feedback and Community Insights

The iBoats forum thread provides a wealth of real-world insights into the ATP’s performance, revealing both its potential and its pitfalls:

• Positive Experiences: Users like Ron54 and aroby reported success after overcoming initial calibration challenges, particularly with horizontal mounting and hard acceleration during setup. When functioning, the ATP effectively levels the boat and reduces manual adjustments.
• Common Issues:
  • Calibration Failures: The hard acceleration step often failed to register, leading to erratic tab behavior.
  • Erratic Operation: Sudden full tab deployment at high speeds posed safety risks, as reported by Broadwayauto and others.
  • Reliability Concerns: Multiple users required several replacement units, with Subzero288 needing four within a year.
  • Support Frustrations: Delays in communication and the need to initiate contact repeatedly were common complaints.
  • Safety Concerns: The unpredictable tab movements, especially at high speeds, were deemed dangerous, leading some users to revert to manual mode or consider alternatives.
  • Comparative Insights: Users like tbev and aplusmiami noted better reliability with Lenco’s auto-trim system, suggesting it as a potential alternative.

These insights underscore the ATP’s potential when properly set up but highlight significant reliability and support challenges, particularly with early units.

Recommendations and Considerations

The Bennett AutoTrim Pro offers a compelling feature set for boaters seeking automated trim tab control. Its ability to enhance stability, efficiency, and ease of use makes it an attractive upgrade, particularly for those with long runs or variable conditions. However, its inconsistent performance and reliability issues warrant caution.

Who Should Consider the ATP?

• Recreational Boaters: Those with stable lake or river conditions may benefit most, as the system performs better in predictable environments.
• Tech-Savvy Users: Boaters comfortable with calibration and troubleshooting can maximize the ATP’s potential.
• Bennett System Owners: The ATP integrates seamlessly with existing Bennett hydraulic systems, reducing compatibility issues.

Who Should Look Elsewhere?

• Offshore Boaters: Users like LuckyKAST noted that the ATP struggles in chaotic ocean conditions, where manual control or alternative systems may be more reliable.
• Those Prioritizing Reliability: The reported need for multiple replacements suggests Lenco’s system or manual indicators may be safer bets.
• Budget-Conscious Boaters: The potential for additional costs (returns, professional installation) may outweigh the benefits for some.

Tips for Success

• Mount Horizontally: Despite Bennett’s claims, horizontal mounting under the helm improves performance for many users.
• Follow Calibration Precisely: Hard acceleration during setup is critical for accurate programming.
• Verify Wiring: Ensure correct power connections, particularly for the orange and purple wires, to avoid calibration loss or erratic behavior.
• Engage Support Early: Contact Bennett promptly for issues, and request written instructions to avoid miscommunication.

Conclusion

The Bennett AutoTrim Pro is an innovative trim tab system with the potential to revolutionize boat handling through its automated adjustments and user-friendly design. Its robust construction, compatibility with hydraulic systems, and three-year warranty make it a strong contender in the marine accessory market. However, real-world user experiences reveal significant challenges, including calibration difficulties, erratic operation, and reliability issues, particularly with early units. While some boaters have achieved success with careful setup and newer units, others have faced persistent problems, raising concerns about safety and support.

For boaters willing to invest time in proper installation and calibration, the ATP can deliver a smoother, more efficient ride. However, those in demanding offshore conditions or prioritizing reliability may find alternatives like Lenco’s system or manual indicators more suitable. As Bennett continues to refine the ATP, future iterations may address these issues, but for now, potential buyers should weigh the system’s benefits against its documented challenges.

Happy Boating!

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