...another trim tabs/steering question...

[a2dubnut]

...and I've searched...
...and searched...
So - this weekend while I was out with my family and a couple of my in-laws and their kids on deck - 7 souls, 3 of them kids, I was having some challenges up on a plane.
Up on a plane, and as I input starboard steering (curve, not heavy turn) into it, with it trimmed to account for more weight on the port side, she had a tendency to roll/bank steeply into the starboard side, but wouldn't induce an actual turn until I backed way off the throttle and down to more of a plowing speed... I was a little caught off guard by it, and admittedly was a little scared that she was going to continue rolling. Intuition with the tabs would have been to bring the starboard side higher to counter the roll, but that also counters the lean the boat needs to 'carve' the turn, no?
I have manual trim tabs, and had been adjusting them as I went along all day, but should I be steering the boat with both the tabs AND the wheel? I should get some turning action to the opposite side of the trim without much effort, correct?
By way of information - boat is an 26' wellcraft cabin cruiser, and the configuration pushes most passenger weight to the stern and port side when everyone is on deck.
(Bear with me and my 'inexperience' - this is the first time I've taken the boat out fully loaded with passengers since I bought her last year, last year was only trips with 3 aboard).

 

[redneck joe]

i don't mess with my tabs for steering, only getting on plane and/or into heavy chop I bring the down. Not being a smart a.. but why do you need/want to 'help' the boat turn?

 

[a2dubnut]

Not taking you as a smart-a
it wasn't a question of 'helping' it turn.... it was rolling to starboard without initiating a turn at all...far beyond where I was expecting it to actually initiate a turn.
Picture a boat running down the river listed 20-30 degrees to one side, just plugging along in a straight line (that was me - with steering input to starboard)

 

[redneck joe]

oooohhh. listing. Yeah just go with the opposite side and all is good. You will find this happening int he wind as well. If this is your first trim tab boat, it is counter intuitive on which one to use (still kinda is for me). I've read on some forums where they flip them so they go up when you push up on the tab instead of down when you push up. Got it?? :lol:



other thing to is to use short bursts until you know your system well. I have (always had) Bennetts and they are not hugely quick in response however got on a buddy's Carver with some off brand electric and I thought I was going to flip the boat - they moved way, way faster so that may be your challenge.

 

[MikDee]

If your hull is like a Wellcraft Nova, it is a Deep Vee, and they have a tendency to lean more in a turn.

 

[dingbat]

When it comes to trim tabs, less is always better. Adjust, settle.....adjust, settle...... if you need more than a couple short bursts, make physical adjustments if possible. Tell Uncle John to move his #400 to the center of the boat.....


As you found out, making a turn with your tabs over-extended is like trying to makes a hard right on a bike with training wheels. Up and over you go

 

[bobdec]

Sounds like you were running with your port tab down to compensate for load on the port side. An then when you initiated a starboard turn the boat listed 20% to the starboard, but did not turn till you backed off on speed. Do you know how much tab was down on the port, if full that's usually not a good way to run it on plane as it will change the characteristics, especially if there are any other factors, wind, wakes, etc involved. Was the starboard tab full up or were you running both tabs each at different actuation to keep the stern up.. Four adults and 3 children (900 lbs) is not that heavy load for a 26' you probably carry that much in fuel. I would think evening out the load as much as possible and not depending totally on the tabs may help.

 

[a2dubnut]

Thanks everyone - I think you all confirmed my suspicions, probably more driver error on a Deep V hull than anything physically wrong with the boat.
Probably too much port side tab - plus a bit of wind and chop - in the future I'll just need to be mindful to back off on the tabs and have people move around to balance weight. The design on the boat makes it difficult to keep passengers from all congregating to the port stern corner, plus motor weight - plus all of the stuff they brought aboard.
Very much appreciated overall!

 

[Watermann]

It has always amazed me how many people don't or can't feel the balance of a boat and move accordingly to keep her on an even keel. I have a fishing buddy that has no concept of balance in the boat which can be dangerous in smaller craft.