Tilt/Trim guages - Useful?

[trophyman]

After reading dtro post. I was wondering how useful a trim guage would be, having never had the opportunity to operate a boat with a trim guage. I have always trimed by the feel of the boat. Thanks again.

 

[JB]

Re: Tilt/Trim guages - Useful?

Hi, Trophyman. By the time you've paid for the sender and the guage you probably don't get your money worth. A guage helps you learn the feel and sound of optimum trim. A GPS helps, too, with accurate speed indications. I would agree that once you learn the sound and feel of optimum trim the guage is baggage.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[mikec]

Re: Tilt/Trim guages - Useful?

Aye Capt., but I beg to differ, I find my trim gauge much help and worth the money. For example, it is very difficult to realize what is level with respect to the boat's attitude, then to trying to guess at where the engine is, is even more problematic. The trim gauge at the very least gives me a reference, and many times, has helped me correct quicker and more smoothly. I find that depending on the load, I can dial in an approximate trim and the boat gets on plane quicker with less engien strain.... (of course... IMHO)<br /><br />-mikec

 

[JB]

Re: Tilt/Trim guages - Useful?

There now, Trophyman. You have two opinions and, I'll have to admit, Mike offers sound arguments. I guess I'm still smarting over the high price I paid.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Tilt/Trim guages - Useful?

I agree with both views. I have an Aquasport that I rarely look at the trim gauge. If the motor starts to ventilate I will look at it for reference to help determine why. In the Hydrostream I constantly watch the trim gauge, jack plate gauge and water pressure gauge. I drive both basically by feel. While it's really not possible to "overtrim" the Aquasport (in calm water) it's certianly possible in the 'Stream. Especially at speed.<br /><br />Confused? Don't be. Boats are as different as the water conditions we run in. <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[trophyman]

Re: Tilt/Trim guages - Useful?

Thanks for the advice. I'm considering the installation to help get my wife accostomed to running and trimming the boat, but haven't nvestigated the cost yet. If I recall correctly, the wiring is all set in the harness, but I need to install the guage and I assume a sending unit of some sort.