I have no experience with Electrics, but the Hydraulics that have been on my boat for 15 years have been completely trouble free. All we have had to do is blast the growth off the pistons as needed, test to see they are working before launching - they always are, and check over,, top up (which so far they have not needed) and occasionally change the fluid the same as you would for your car brakes. I wish all systems on the boat were as reliable and long lasting as the Hydraulic Trim Tabs have been. Of course now I have jinxed it and a hose fitting will fail my next trip out.