best way to trim boat?

[bandit86]

I was told to have the trim tabs all the way down till it gets out of the water, then trim up untill the water breaks about the middle of the boat. (87 bayliner cierra 2455) Other told me to leave the trim tabs alone, and trim the boat buy lowering the outdrive all the way downt untill the boat is out of the water, then adjust the outdrive till the water breaks about the middle of the boat... Who is on crack?

 

[ziggy]

Re: best way to trim boat?

bandit86<br /> Who is on crack?

perhaps the folk who tell ya about trimin by where the water is on the side of yer boat. now i'm no expert, but the way i'd see it. the start would be trim tabs down. drive down. when it comes up on plane, bring tabs up to level. trim drive to max rpms at whatever speed yer goin at....feel free to contradict me as i only have a broke down 16' trihull w/o tabs.......

 

[Boatist]

Re: best way to trim boat?

I have helm adjustable trim tabs on a 21 foot boat. I do not belive there is a right and wrong way. Each boat is different and each day is different. If your boat has trouble geting up on plane the trim tabs down some and drive in some. That will get you on plane quickly but maybe too quickly.<br /><br />I usually just leave the tabs and drive alone when I shut down. Then when I start up boat will come up on plane just the way I had it adjusted before. However my boat planes very easy and quick.<br /><br />Adjustment while under way I do not look where the water is coming off the hull. I first set the speed I want to run then adjust trim tabs for the best ride. If I am going a long ways I then adjust drive for higest RPM and speed at that power. This will increase speed some but also be best fuel mileage. At that point if I running faster than I want I will reduce power to get the speed I desire.<br /><br />Example: Running off shore in the ocean with 4 foot swells every 12 seconds. I will bring boat on plane at a speed of 18 to 20 MPH, adjust trim tabs for the best wave cutting position. I will usually leave outdrive trim in a nutural position. If later in the day swells get bigger or closer together I may reduce the speed to 15 MPH then to stay on plane I will lower the trim tabs. This allows me to reduce the speed but still keep the boat trim set for the best wave cutting action.<br /><br />At 7:00 AM up on the lake with the water glassy, no wind and no other boats on the water. I will come up on plane at 25 to 30 MPH raise trim tabs all the way up and trim the outdrive out for best speed and rpms. Then set my desired speed. In this position the bow is up some and my hull drag is very low so I get great mileage. When I come around a bend in the lake and see a 30 foot boat pulling a tuber or boarder in circles sending out big wakes I touch the trim tabs down a couple of seconds until the bow comes down on the water for best wave cutting action. I steer away from the boat for awhile but when it time to cross the wake I turn into the wave at a good angle for crossing the wake. If it a large sharp wake I may reduce speed some but most of the time just cross the wake go back to my heading and take the trim tabs all the way off again.<br /><br />So what is the right way to trim? It is different in ever hour of every day. The right way is to adjust the way you want your boat to ride. <br /><br />You will get your best fuel mileage if you trim with the trim tabs then tirm the outdrive for highest speed at the same power.<br /><br />What makes trim tabs great is you can adjust your ride in any condition that your boat can handle.

 

[michael-lagrange]

Re: best way to trim boat?

Calm waters i trim one way, rough waters i trim another way.<br />Whatever floats your boat.

 

[bandit86]

Re: best way to trim boat?

lots of good info Boatist,thanks, especially bow up for mileage and down to cut waves. Having only gone for my first trip last weekend, I have a bit to learn still.

 

[bandit86]

Re: best way to trim boat?

so how do I know if the bow is too far up? other than i cant see forward?

 

[magster65]

Re: best way to trim boat?

Try this;<br />* start with the tabs down / leg trimmed down<br />* apply full throttle or close to it<br />* wait a second or two (depending on your power package) and start lifting the tabs<br />* keep lifting your tabs until they are up/level or close to it<br />* let the boat come up to speed and trim the leg up a 'little'<br />* once you've reached the desired rpm, level the boat (side to side) with the tabs<br />* look at your speedo and trim the drive up or down to find your highest speed<br />* look at your trim guage and remember where it is for next time<br />* use your tabs to get the boat in a slightly bow up and level position <br />* remember how long you hold each tab button to get your best settings and you'll find the 'spot' easier each time<br />* every boat is different so fiddle with it until you get it right<br />Look at your wake, it should be smooth and flat like this and generally, your speedo will tell you when everything is just right.<br /><br />

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[paulie0735]

Re: best way to trim boat?

You should always trim right down to start and when the boat is planning trim up till the steering feels light and direct. Until you have had a play with it I would stick to neutral tabs and adjust the trim, when you have that sorted out you can than play with the tabs to further fine tune the boat. Bow up at speed only, one advantage of the tabs is that you can stay on the plan at a slower speed, again something to experiment with and get used to. Good luck, enjoy your boat.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: best way to trim boat?

i don't believe you should use your tabs to trim the boat. they are used after you are properly trimmed. besides, most tabs move very slowly.<br /><br />i would position your tabs up or neutral, assuming you don't have a very heavy load.<br /><br />with trim down, accelerate and get on plane. as you come on plane, you should be trimming up until you reach that magic moment- you are high on plane and your trimmed up.<br /><br />you then use your tabs to further correct your attitude- you may have a strong crosswind and need to level out. or you may want to push you rbow a little further into the water. or your occupants may move around and you need to correct whatever.<br /><br />only exception i can think of is if you are starting with a very heavy load. you can then follow the same procedures, but start with your tabs all the way down. chances are you'll keep them there or raise them slightly after you are trimmed up and on plane.