Can you add a trim guage?

[tmmpin]

I have a 91 bayliner capri that does not have a trim guage. I am wanting to add one if its possible and doesnt mean investing more in the boat then its worth.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can you add a trim guage?

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,...

Sure it's possible...
The sender is already on the drive, 'n it's wires are probably bundled at the transom...

I'll add, that I think it's the Most Useless gauge in the world,...
And,...
They're known to Fail, regularly because of wire rot, at the sender...

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Can you add a trim guage?

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,...

Sure it's possible...
The sender is already on the drive, 'n it's wires are probably bundled at the transom...

I'll add, that I think it's the Most Useless gauge in the world,...
And,...
They're known to Fail, regularly because of wire rot, at the sender...

Not entirely useless, but not a precision instrument by any means. I mostly use it when anchoring/mooring and I want to raise the outdrive to "3/4" up.

For trim underway, I use a mechanical indicator . . . which is very accurate, but only measures the outdrive position in the 'operating range'.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Can you add a trim guage?

every time Ive had one... I've wound up removing it to use the hole for something else. Just saying...

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Can you add a trim guage?

It's not really useful for much. The stock Mercruiser setup that I have is soooooo inaccurate.
I listen/feel for proper trim when cruising.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Can you add a trim guage?

and the 'great debate' goes on...

i like my trim gauge.
i find it useful for several instances.

-after i splash the boat, i put the drive down to a known point (for idling out of the marina) on the trim gauge.
-my trim limit don't work. i use the gauge to be sure i don't go above a certain point.
-when going into shallow places, i use the gauge to bring the drive up to a known point for shallow operation.
-i use it at a glance to know if the drive is up or down prior to start up.
-after several years of use. i know what the sweet spot is for my trim for a certain speed via the trim gauge.
-the more gauges the better, they look cool...
-i use my gauge to know the drive is up prior to putting it on the trailer when retrieving.

yep, i could do all them things w/o the gauge, but 'i' find it beneficial enough that i like it....

to ea. their own...

fwiw. i don't find my old trim gauge to be particularly inaccurate. i find it to be consistent in letting me know what position my drive is in via the gauge.

 

[tmmpin]

Re: Can you add a trim guage?

What is a mechanical trim guage?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Can you add a trim guage?

What is a mechanical trim guage?

http://www.livorsi.com/catalog/mi.htm

It is a mechanical device , usually with cables, that senses the actual position of the outdrive. They are usually associated with high performance boats. See the link above for more information. They can also be used for trim tab position indicating as well.

My boat is set up with 3 mechanical indicators (2 for the trim tabs, 1 of the outdrive) They are much more precise than the electrical indicators which are generally using a potentiometer or capacitance method. I still have the electrical trim indicator for the outdrive, and that is useful when I put the drive up, as the mechanical indicator does not show the outdrive position all the way up through its range of travel.

 

[achris]

Re: Can you add a trim guage?

and the 'great debate' goes on...

i like my trim gauge.
i find it useful for several instances.

-after i splash the boat, i put the drive down to a known point (for idling out of the marina) on the trim gauge.
-my trim limit don't work. i use the gauge to be sure i don't go above a certain point.
-when going into shallow places, i use the gauge to bring the drive up to a known point for shallow operation.
-i use it at a glance to know if the drive is up or down prior to start up.
-after several years of use. i know what the sweet spot is for my trim for a certain speed via the trim gauge.
-the more gauges the better, they look cool...
-i use my gauge to know the drive is up prior to putting it on the trailer when retrieving.

yep, i could do all them things w/o the gauge, but 'i' find it beneficial enough that i like it....

to ea. their own...

fwiw. i don't find my old trim gauge to be particularly inaccurate. i find it to be consistent in letting me know what position my drive is in via the gauge.

I know there was a reason I liked you.
You've said all the right things.....
And the newest senders and there wires are much better. My previous engine is still using the original senders and wires, 17 years old now.

 

[ckral]

Re: Can you add a trim guage?

I have a 85 mercury 35 hp with 2 ram and no sending unit do they make a sending unit for this make and model

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can you add a trim guage?

I have a 85 mercury 35 hp with 2 ram and no sending unit do they make a sending unit for this make and model

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... Ya gotta ask this question in the Merc Outboard forum....

This is the Mercruiser Sterndrive forum,.... very different breeds...