Can I add a trim gauge?

[bear_69cuda]

Hello

I just purchased my first boat. 1999 Bayliner 19' Capri with 3.0 MerCruiser Alpha One drive. The boat did not come with a trim gauge. Can I add one myself? Or is this something a marina should help with?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bomar76]

Re: Can I add a trim gauge?

Sure, the sensors are on the drive so the wiring has to be there.

It's really a worthless gauge.....proper trimming relies on sound and feel, not the gauge reading....and they are notoriously failure prone.

An "Anchor Position Gauge" would be just about as usefull.

When we redid the gauges on our Baja I replace the trim gauge with an oil temperature gauge.

 

[QC]

Re: Can I add a trim gauge?

I have been without mine for a year and I am fine and agree with almost all Bomar says, with one exception . . . I am guessing that Bomar boats in deep water. When off plane, in shallow water, I like to keep my drive in a positive trim position. This way I know if I drag the bottom, I am going to slide along more on the skeg than with the blades. Cheaper that way The alternative is to trim up until I hear more of a splashy sound behind me or see more turbulence. This tells me that the prop is pushing some water up which is basically in the same place as max up trim. Again, other than that, I pretty much agree with bomar.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Can I add a trim gauge?

Thanks for the reply,

I kinda figured the feel/sound deal after getting the boat on plane. But since I'm a very inexperienced boater, I thought it would come in handy when I'm loading on the trailer, in very shallow water and such... Kinda a dummy safety meter. =-)

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Can I add a trim gauge?

As bomar writes:

the sensors are on the drive so the wiring has to be there

The chances are good that you will need to buy and install a new trim sender on the outdrive. Those wires get corroded up and break pretty easily. But you can certainly see if they are in wroking order. If they are, the gauge installation is fairly straight forward. If the sender needs to be replaced... that's another story. Can certainly be done, but it is a lot of work!