--- title: Improve Your Boat's Performance with Automatic Trim Tabs and Interceptors description: Automatic trim and stability systems significantly improve boat performance. This blog looks at how Humphree Lightning enhances all aspects of it. image: https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/hubfs/Humphree%20Lightning%20on%20transom%201200%20x%20628.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/boatperformance#main-content) [![Lightning logo white](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/hubfs/Lightning%20logo%20white.svg)](https://www.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphree-lightning.html) - [Humphree Lightning](https://www.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphree-lightning.html) - [News](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog) - [Contact Us](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphree-lightning-enquiryform) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Humphree Lightning](https://www.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphree-lightning.html) - [News](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog) - [Contact Us](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphree-lightning-enquiryform) - [Get Updates](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphree-lightning-news-subscription) [Get Updates](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphree-lightning-news-subscription) May 3, 2024, 10:21:44 AM # Improve Your Boat's Performance with Automatic Trim Tabs and Interceptors [Dave Murray](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/author/dave-murray) Share [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/boatperformance) [Share this page on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/boatperformance) ![Humphree Lightning on transom](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Humphree%20Lightning%20on%20transom%201200%20x%20628.jpg?width=960&height=502&name=Humphree%20Lightning%20on%20transom%201200%20x%20628.jpg)No matter the design characteristics of your 20-45 foot power boat, automatic trim and stability systems significantly improve boating performance. This blog looks at all aspects of boat performance, how Humphree Lightning enhances acceleration, speed and manoeuvrability and the differences you can expect.  ## Why is automatic trim and stability control so important for better performance?  The design of your boat’s hull includes several characteristics, each of which are design decisions or compromises that affect speed and manoeuvrability. But that’s just the start because your boat never operates constantly in one state. Speed, acceleration, the water surface, wind, and weight distribution are all variable, yet the hull’s design is constant.  So, the core idea of [automatic trim and stabilisation](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/trim-tabs-and-interceptors-ultimateguide#automatictrim) is to create a way to change the boat’s hydrodynamic characteristics in real-time as conditions change.  Let’s look at the ways that performance is improved.  ## How does automatic trim and stabilisation work?  [The Ultimate Guide to automatic trim and stabilisation for 20-45 foot boats](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/trim-tabs-and-interceptors-ultimateguide)   #### Acceleration From the moment your boat starts to move until it’s on the plane, a lot happens.  Initially, the engine’s thrust causes the bow to rise, which moves the weight back and forces the stern deeper into the water. This compromises the hull’s displacement performance and increases drag.  As the speed rises, the bow and stern waves generated by displacement cause the boat to sit down in the trough between them. The boat must then climb up to crest the wave to get up on the plane.  Humphree Lightning helps improve acceleration by creating lift at the stern and lowering the bow. The result is that [the boat accelerates up onto the plane significantly faster](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/trim-tabs-and-interceptors-ultimateguide#thebenefits). The hull’s displacement design is restored, drag is reduced, and less power is needed to climb out of the trough and onto the plane.  ![How hydrodynamic lift works](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/How%20%20it%20works%201200%20x%20628.jpg?width=1200&height=628&name=How%20%20it%20works%201200%20x%20628.jpg) [Download the Humphree Lightning brochure](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphree-lightning-brochure-form)   **Speed**  If correctly set up, your boat should plane at speed perfectly. But conditions are never precisely perfect or constant. An uneven water surface, the relative angle of swell, wind direction, and weight distribution all impact performance.  The effects of this are well known. The bow can pitch up and down, and the boat may roll and steer in certain swells or not be level across the beam. The boat will feel less stable, so speed must be reduced.  Humphree Lightning answers these variables by constantly applying auto trim to control pitch and roll. The hull’s position in the water is continuously monitored using gyro sensors. This data feeds into the real-time adjustment of the port and starboard interceptors to keep the boat more level and its hull working closer to optimal in all conditions.  ![Accelerating speed boat](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Accelerating%20speed%20boat%201200x%20628.jpg?width=1200&height=628&name=Accelerating%20speed%20boat%201200x%20628.jpg) [Ask us a question about Humphree Lightning](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphree-lightning-enquiryform)   **Handling and manoeuvrability**  Humphree Lightning has another trick up its sleeve called [Coordinated Turn](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/trim-tabs-and-interceptors-ultimateguide#advanced). Available as part of the Dynamic Plus and Comfort Plus software upgrade packs, coordinated turn uses the Lightning interceptors to improve handling and manoeuvrability performance.  One compromise in a boat’s hull design is the dead rise angle of the hull’s V shape. The V shape exists to cut through chop at speed and create a smooth, hydrodynamic shape when operating off the plane in the hull’s displacement mode. However, the sharper the dead rise angle, the more it compromises cornering performance.  The problem is that when turning, the boat falls over onto the dead-rise angle. The lean induced is almost always far more than the optimum banking required for stable turning. The effect is a wider turning arc, less responsive handling, and less-than-optimal manoeuvrability.  Humphree Lightning controls this by applying dynamic trim adjustment to the inside interceptor. This reduces excessive banking roll and dramatically improves cornering performance.  ![Coordinated turn](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/coordinated%20turn%201200%20x%20628.jpg?width=1200&height=628&name=coordinated%20turn%201200%20x%20628.jpg)  **Better performance**  The improvements in performance across acceleration, speed, and handling that Humphree Lightning adds to your boat can’t be overstated.   Performance is improved by getting up onto the plane faster, controlling the boat safely at a higher speed relative to conditions, and handling more nimbly.  Contact us today to learn more about fitting Humphree Lightning to your boat. [Contact us](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphree-lightning-enquiryform)   [Trim tabs](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/trim-tabs), [Auto trim](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/auto-trim), [Interceptor trim tab system](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/interceptor-trim-tab-system), [Humphree Lightning](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/humphree-lightning) ## Related posts [![Humphree Lightning auto trim system makes boating safer](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/How%20Humphree%20Lightning%20makes%20boating%20safer%201200%20x%20628.jpg?height=200&name=How%20Humphree%20Lightning%20makes%20boating%20safer%201200%20x%20628.jpg)](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/humphree-lightning/autotrim) [Trim tabs](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/trim-tabs), [Auto trim](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/auto-trim), [Interceptor trim tab system](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/interceptor-trim-tab-system), [Humphree Lightning](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/humphree-lightning) ## [How the Humphree Lightning Auto Trim and Stabilisation System Makes Boating Safer](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/humphree-lightning/autotrim) [Dave Murray](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/author/dave-murray) Jun 26, 2024, 11:53:36 AM Boat owners all know the magic of being out on the water. Whether fishing or cruising with family... [Read more](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/humphree-lightning/autotrim) [![Humphree Lightning boat trim tabs and interceptors](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Humphree%20Lightning%201200%20x%20628.jpg?height=200&name=Humphree%20Lightning%201200%20x%20628.jpg)](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/boattrimtabs) [Trim tabs](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/trim-tabs), [Auto trim](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/auto-trim), [Interceptor trim tab system](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/interceptor-trim-tab-system), [Humphree Lightning](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/humphree-lightning) ## [Make Boating More Comfortable with Automatic Boat Trim Tabs and Interceptors](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/boattrimtabs) [Dave Murray](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/author/dave-murray) May 28, 2024, 11:42:47 AM If you own a 20-45-foot power boat, you know the exhilaration of being out on the water with the... [Read more](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/boattrimtabs) [![Retrofitting Humphree Lightning to 20-45 Foot Boats](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Hunmphree%20Lightning%201200%20x%20628.jpg?height=200&name=Hunmphree%20Lightning%201200%20x%20628.jpg)](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/retrofitting) [Trim tabs](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/trim-tabs), [Auto trim](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/auto-trim), [Interceptor trim tab system](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/interceptor-trim-tab-system), [Humphree Lightning](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/tag/humphree-lightning) ## [Retrofitting Humphree Lightning to 20-45 Foot Boats: Enhancing Performance and Comfort](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/retrofitting) [Dave Murray](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/author/dave-murray) Oct 15, 2024, 1:57:01 PM Do you want to give your boat a new lease on life with improved performance, comfort, and handling?... [Read more](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/retrofitting) [![UMP Logo Primary White_Blue](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/hubfs/UMP%20Logo%20Primary%20White_Blue.svg "UMP Logo Primary White_Blue")](https://www.ultimatemarinepower.com.au)   49 Canberra Street, Hemmant, QLD, 4174, Australia. ​Phone: 07 3890 0234 [Follow us on Facebook](mailto:info@ultimatemarinepower.com.au) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068103979763) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ultimate-marine-power/) [instagram icon](https://www.instagram.com/ultimatemarinepower/) - [HOME](https://www.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/) - [PRODUCTS](https://www.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/productsbrands.html) - [LIGHTNING NEWS](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog) - [HUMPHREE LIGHTNING](https://www.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphree-lightning.html) - [CONTACT US](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphree-lightning-enquiryform) - [FIND A DEALER](https://www.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/dealers.html) - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/privacy-policy) Copyright © 2024, Ultimate Marine Power ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Dave Murray", "url" : "https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/author/dave-murray" }, "dateModified" : "2024-05-24T02:25:32.816Z", "datePublished" : "2024-05-03T00:21:44.000Z", "headline" : "Improve Your Boat's Performance with Automatic Trim Tabs and Interceptors", "image" : [ "https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/hubfs/Humphree%20Lightning%20on%20transom%201200%20x%20628.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/humphreelightningblog/boatperformance", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://content.ultimatemarinepower.com.au/hubfs/UMP%20Logo%20Primary%20Navy_Blue.svg" } } } ```