How valuable is a trim gage?

[84Monaco]

I was just reading another post about a faulty trim gage and read Don's reply to give it the "float test" and replace it with gage that has value.

My boat has a trim gage, but it has not worked since I've owned it and I kind of always wanted to get it working so I could tell more easily what was going on. I've gotten used to driving without it, but always wished I had that extra feedback.

So for all of you out there, do you feel like you need it or is it just a luxury?

Put another way, I've looked into getting it working and could do so for around $100. Would you do it?

 

[slasmith1]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

I don't think it is needed and the only time I have ever paid any attention to them is to see if the trim on both drives match on a twin setup.

 

[Bondo]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

and read Don's reply to give it the "float test" and replace it with gage that has value.

Ayuh,... I think you'll find that's My post, Not Don's... Don usually posts Facts, not Opinions...

I find a Trim Gauge about as handy as Left-handed Muffler Bearings...

 

[ziggy]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

i like my trim gage.
i use it at the ramp right prior to starting up. i can confirm that the drive is down at a glance from the helm.
my trim limit don't work. so when i'm out for the speed run, i can be sure that i don't raise it up to much.
i use it to know where the drive is at when i go into shallow areas...
i use it when i beach. i progressively bring the drive up, above trim limit i'm sure as i'm coming into the beach.

it's nice to have all the gages that you have, work.

is it necessary. i suppose not as i can trim by rpm or attitude too. so i guess it must be a luxury.

i might spend a hundie to fix it..

 

[Mike250]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

I'd fix it only because I like guages and can't stand something that's not working right. Not needed but heck, what's another $100 compared to what you've already spent boating.

 

[45Auto]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

I would fix mine if it was broken. I use it all the time to confirm the position of the drive at low speeds or when the boat is stopped.

Of course, I also replaced my right-hand muffler bearings when they only had a slight squeak, they were nowhere near worn out. I plan to replace the left ones this season, before they start making noise.

If the boats on plane it's easy to know where the drive is since moving it has such an obvious effect on the boats speed and attitude. At low speeds, who knows?? You can always run it to one end or the other then hold the switch for a couple of seconds so it's kind of in the middle. I like to keep mine pretty level so the u-joints stay happy.

Kind of like all the other gauges. More information is always nice to have, although it's not really necessary.

Tachometer - My boat is propped so it can't exceed max RPM, why have a tach????

Speedo - No speed limits on the water, who needs it?

Oil pressure - Warning buzzer on engine for that

Temperature - Warning buzzer on engine for that

Voltmeter - Have a light on dash to show when ACR (Automatic Charging Relay) is charging. If it's not on, something is wrong.

Gas gauge - Now that one is useful if your tank is built into the boat! Could use the total fuel used function on the Smartcraft gauges if it wasn't there, but that would be more of a pain.

Depth gauge - Never had one until I got my last boat. If the motor hits bottom it's too shallow!!

I think if you look at basic level cars you'll see what gauges most people would consider necessary. You'll see a speedometer and a gas gauge. And on a boat there's no use for a speedo.

My cars and boats have full instrumentation. Only gauges not built into my boat are cylinder head temp and an ammeter (Smartcraft speedo does water pressure, or I would definitely have a water pressure gauge). I find the trim gauge more useful than either one of those, or I would replace it.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

My needle fell off my gauge last season. I never really used the gauge I normally go by feel and sound. It would be nice to have one but Its not worth $100 to me.
Denny

 

[Sandhammaren05]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

1979-1981 I drove Mod VP boats (18'-20- with 235 hp) with trim buttons left and right on the steering wheel. the owner had a trim gauge on the boat, I never looked at it. My trim gauge was my feel for the water conditions and wind.

I was just reading another post about a faulty trim gage and read Don's reply to give it the "float test" and replace it with gage that has value.

My boat has a trim gage, but it has not worked since I've owned it and I kind of always wanted to get it working so I could tell more easily what was going on. I've gotten used to driving without it, but always wished I had that extra feedback.

So for all of you out there, do you feel like you need it or is it just a luxury?

Put another way, I've looked into getting it working and could do so for around $100. Would you do it?

 

[Commissionpoint]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

I find a Trim Gauge about as handy as Left-handed Muffler Bearings...[/QUOTE]

Agreed. Even when they are factory new I don't trust them too much. An experienced boatsman shouldn't need a trim gauge to tell him whats going on, he should know where the proper setting is regardless of what the gauge says. With the notorious unreliability of trim gauges whatever the readout says is usually meaningless anyhow, and what may be reading as half trim on the gauge most likely is anything but that.

 

[incrediblened]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

My needle fell off my gauge last season. I never really used the gauge I normally go by feel and sound. It would be nice to have one but Its not worth $100 to me.
Denny

My brother has a 1990s Sea Ray. His boat mechanic said that he could replace the trim senders (which are usually the part that make your trim guages not work correctly), but they're delicate and prone to failure. He'd just be doing it again in a couple years.

Instead of paying to have the job done my wife and I just decided to have a child who's job is to watch the outdrive and tell me if the guage is up or down.

-Ryan

PS. I would highly recommend getting a muffler bearing guage for your boat. MY left muffler bearing just went out and if I wouldn't have caught it quick I could have really screwed something u.

 

[b18apwr]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

Ditto on most of the replies here. With my throttle at a fixed position, I can feel the boat "tell" me when the trim is right.

I didn't have the option for muffler bearings on my boat, but during my "summerization" process this past weekend, I did have to add some blinker fluid.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

I didn't have the option for muffler bearings on my boat, but during my "summerization" process this past weekend, I did have to add some blinker fluid.

You have blinkers in your boat?

 

[45Auto]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

I hope you used the marine rated blinker fluid and not the automotive stuff. If used the automotive stuff, that's probably the reason the brakes on your boat don't work.

 

[180shabah]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

You have blinkers in your boat?

I'm adding brake lights to mine, almost been rear ended to many times.

 

[84Monaco]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

Thanks for all the responses. Sorry for confusing your post with Don Bond-o. I guess I sort of lump the experts together

I've certainly made do without the gage and follow a lot of the techniques you have described. I've always wondered if it was bad for the trim system to momentarily push against its limit of travel - either up or down. I 'll often trim down until I hear it bottom, then kick it up a little when traveling at idle speed.

Any thoughts on if this is a good practice?

 

[180shabah]

Re: How valuable is a trim gage?

doesn't hurt a thing to "hit the limit"