Proper procedure for using trim tabs.

[67GTA]

I know that to start that you have the trim tabs down and the motor tucked in. Then when the boats gets on plane, do you bring the trim tabs up and only use them to control the left to right leaning of the boat and use the trim of the motor to control the trimming of the boat? Or do you leave the motor tucked in and control it all using the trim tabs.

 

[Toddavid]

Re: Proper procedure for using trim tabs.

I first try to control the bow, whether to stop porpoising or to help smooth the ride in chop, by adjusting the trim on the drive.

If conditions are really choppy, I further bring the bow down using both the trim tabs. On my boat with its lowish deadrise, it helps tremendously to smooth the ride.

I also use the trim tabs to level the boat port/starboard for people load.

I have Lenco with LED indicators on the control.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Proper procedure for using trim tabs.

I know that to start that you have the trim tabs down and the motor tucked in. Then when the boats gets on plane, do you bring the trim tabs up and only use them to control the left to right leaning of the boat and use the trim of the motor to control the trimming of the boat? .

Yes, but as stated, the tabs can help you with Bow UP/DOWN also, depending on conditions.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Proper procedure for using trim tabs.

I use my tabs to get on plane quicker if I have a crowd aboard. As the boats comes on-plane, I trim the drive up to where it will be for cruising, then pull the tabs all the way up. After that I use the throttle to set my cruising speed, then adjust the boat's list only as-needed with a tab. If the water is rough, I'll use the drive trim combined with trim tabs to bring to bring the bow down to split the waves more cleanly and to decrease my planing speed.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Proper procedure for using trim tabs.

Also depends on the size of boat. Once you're over the 32' (and/or 12,000 lbs), it's better to start with the tabs down and bring them up as the speed increases.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Proper procedure for using trim tabs.

Fireman is correct. Tab down to get the now down and then trim back up to get it settled out nice. Not sure when you have drive trim to play with.

 

[67GTA]

Re: Proper procedure for using trim tabs.

I have a 1978 Cobalt 19' bow rider. 260 Mercruiser