Easy question

[magic11305]

I need your advise or opinion please. I am still working on my restore project and I'm getting close. I am restoring a 1980 Searay 260 with a single 5.7 mercruiser. I am down to the boat leveler tabs. I have found that the motor does not work, along with everything else electrical I have replaced. My question is, do you guys use the leveler tabs often? This is the first boat that I have owned that has them. Before I shell out the money for a new motor, I was wondering how often I would actually use them. Any opinions are welcome. Thank you.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Easy question

Yes you need them. But that's my opinion. They would not be on the boat if they weren't needed. They are also called "Trim Tabs" but we get the point.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Easy question

I was wondering how often I would actually use them. Any opinions are welcome. Thank you.

You should be using them all the time. Something as simple as a passenger changing seats, or turning the boat into the wind will Change the boat trim, and the trim tabs need to be adjusted for optimal ride.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Easy question

It probably depends on the hull design. On my old boat tabs would have worked well. On the current boat boat, 20'2" with 8'6" beam it doesn't matter where people sit or move to unless they all sit on one side (it is rated for 12).

 

[tazrig]

Re: Easy question

I was wondering how often I would actually use them.

I use mine all the time. When people change seats when I change direction or the wind and/or waves change you will be wanting to tweak the settings to keep the boat as balanced as you can.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Easy question

A boat that size with a single 5.7 had better have them. You're gonna be very glad you have them once you learn to use them. By all means fix them. Well worth the money. I have them on my little 22 footer and just like the guys say when a 340 lb former Texas Tech lineman with an equally sized wife and their equally sized son all are riding and two other kids being towed on a tube those tabs earn their keep.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Easy question

Don't forget how much they help with hole shot and low speed wandering....

 

[NYBo]

Re: Easy question

The motor will pay for itself in smiles per gallon.

 

[magic11305]

Re: Easy question

Thanks for all the input . Guess I will put a new motor on and learn how to use em.

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Easy question

Once you get a chance to use them, put them all the way down to get up on plane. Then bring them back up and use the drive trim to get maximum speed for the throttle setting. When adjusting the tabs at speed, move the tab and waite for a reaction before adjusting further. If not, you will be going down the water at some crazy angles.