How to use Trim Tabs

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boxer156

Cadet
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May 16, 2011
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I've had a few boats, but never had one with Trim Tabs.....just got a Rinker 262SS and had it out this weekend, but I have NO clue how to use the trim tabs? Is it like the trim on the drive--where you start out 'down', and trim 'up' as you gain speed? The boat seemed to hit a wall around 54mph, and should do closer to 62-64--so I'm guessing I did something wrong with the trim tabs.

Any help??
 

Tabman

iboats.com Partner
Joined
Feb 21, 2002
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566
Re: How to use Trim Tabs

Boxer,

I'm sure others will chime in, here is a little "Trim Tabs 101" I wrote.

Trim Tabs 101, How To Get The Best Results

If you are new to using Trim Tabs you may find this helpful in learning how to use them to achieve the best results. All boats react differently to Trim Tabs and the best way to find out what works best for yours is to experiment, and remember, use short bursts of the controls and let the boat settle down between corrections. Using them will soon become second nature.

Tom McGow
Bennett Marine

Getting and Staying Trimmed

All boats assume different fore to aft attitudes at different throttle settings and vary in sensitivity to lateral weight distribution.

A boat?s optimum running attitude is determined by the operator. While some people may define optimum running attitude as the highest possible speed for a given amount of engine RPMs, others desire the best possible fuel economy, yet others may be trimming the boat to get just the right mix of speed and wake (such as for waterskiing.)

Optimum running attitude is when the boat is running to the operator?s satisfaction for the given operating conditions. There are as many optimum running attitudes as there are boats and boat owners

A good way to determine a boats optimum running angle is to run the boat lightly loaded at full speed in calm water. During this test observe the boat?s bow in relation to the horizon. Most boats run at or near their optimum attitude under these conditions. This should give you a feel for the appearance of the wake and bow spray when running at an efficient attitude. Note that not all boats will achieve their optimum running attitude under these conditions. Some boats will benefit from extra lift even when running at their maximum throttle settings. If you feel the boat will benefit from added bow down trim when running at speed start with the trim tabs fully up and deflect the trim tabs in short bursts. Be alert to changes in the boats handling, as you bring the bow down. Observe any changes in RPMs and/or speed. Adjust power trim if applicable.

Indications of Running Untrimmed
When a boat is running untrimmed the bow spray will exit the sides of the boat far aft. The stern wave (wake) is high and curling like a breaker on the beach. The rooster tail is high and close to the stern. The engine is laboring and the ride tends to be less smooth.

Indications of Running Trimmed
The bow spray moves forward and is flung not as far from the boat. The wake diminishes in height, as the rooster tail flattens out and moves away from the boat. The engine is operating under less load as evidenced by the tachometer and speed as well as sounding ?less strained?.

One Step at a Time

The key to obtaining optimal results from trim tabs is to operate them in short ?bursts? and let the boat react before making another adjustment. The amount of time between corrections is influenced by the size of the trim tabs and the boat?s speed. This will help avoid overtrimming or ending up with one tab too far down when correcting lateral trim. You will quickly become acquainted with a boat?s particular traits.

Take Off

Properly sized trim tabs can significantly reduce the time needed to get up on plane. They also allow a boat to keep its bow down and stay on plane at lower speeds.

As the throttle is advanced the stern of the boat begins to squat, lifting the bow. As the boat accelerates, push the bow down position of the helm control in short bursts. The boat reacts by the stern lifting, the bow coming down, speed increasing, and reduced engine laboring. If you over do it and deflect the tabs too far the boat will end up overtrimmed. When over trimmed, the steering becomes ?over sensitive? and wants to pull off course to port or starboard. If this occurs, operate the control ?bow up" until the desired attitude is established.

Getting the Most from Power Trim

Adjust the trim tabs to achieve the desired running attitude. Then use the power trim to position the propeller thrust parallel to the water flow. If necessary, re-adjust the trim tabs to fine tune the attitude. By observing the boat?s speed and engine RPMs the best combination of trim tabs and power trim will be apparent. Trim tab angle indicators and a power trim angle indicator are particularly useful in duplicating effective settings.

Trimming to Sea Conditions

When running into a head sea you want to trim the bow down so the sharp forward sections of the boat do their work cleaving the waves. This provides the most comfortable ride and minimizes stress on the boat (and passengers). In a following sea the tabs should be fully retracted for maximum steering response.

Correction of a List
The normal control setup for trim tabs operates in relation to the desired changes in trim and not the actual movement of the tabs. Therefore, do not think about what the tabs are doing, but rather on the control and what you want the boat to do. As above, make the corrections in bursts and allow the boat to settle to the new settings. You may find it easier to correct the boat?s fore and aft attitude before you correct the side to side trim.

Correction of Porpoising

Operate the tabs in very short bursts of about half a second. Continue until porpoising subsides. The objective is to have only a very slight amount of tab deflection, just the amount needed to cure the up and down motion of the bow.
 

Grand Larsony

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 13, 2008
Messages
221
Re: How to use Trim Tabs

Great help above!

It may be quite simple -- here's how I operate mine (1989 Sea Ray 300 Sundancer, twin 260 HP Mercruiser I\Os):

Start off with both drives and trim tabs all the way down. Full speed ahead !

As the boat comes on plane, raise the outdrives 2 seconds each. Bring trim tabs all the way up. Adjust down to flatten things out side-to-side. On my boat, this is rarely necessary.

Simply put, I use them to get on plane only... and once in a great while to adjust lateral trim due to wind or seas.

Your experience will determine optimal usage.

On my prior boat -- Larson 25' express with single 260 IO and trim tabs -- it was MUCH more fickle while cruising. Had to adjust tabs nearly constantly for load, wind, and seas. Much more "unstable" in general.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
15,417
Re: How to use Trim Tabs

Most people don't realize that you start applying tabs AFTER you start getting up on the plane.

People forget that if you have 15 degrees of ?neutral? tab angle and you have 30 degrees of bow lift you end up with 45 degrees of tab angle. Not much lift being generated at 45 degree angle
 

Silver Heels

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
125
Re: How to use Trim Tabs

I agree fully with Grand Larceny. To me it seems like a lot of jockying around trying to adjust tabs as I get up on plane...one hand on the wheel, one hand on the throttle, and a big toe to adjust the trim tabs. Keep them down to jump up on plane. When you're up on plane, and your hand is free of the throttle, trim them up to fine tune things.
 

j.4knee

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 5, 2011
Messages
32
Re: How to use Trim Tabs

Great topic, being new to boating I had a bit of trouble getting my boat up on plane this weekend without trying to hit warp 6. Need to get her back on the water this weekend.
 
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