Sea Ray 250 DA Trim Tabs

[eric_a13]

First - sorry for the long post...:redface:

I have recently gone on the sea trial for the 1998 Sea Ray 250 Sundancer that I bought and while on the trial, the boat was listing to the port side (i was sitting on that side with my girlfriend...she's tiny...me...not so much). The Tech that was on the trial with us stated that the trim tabs were not working like they should to "level" the boat. I moved and the boat leveled off a bit - as I said, Im not too small. BUT, the tech said that the tabs should have corrected the issue. Previous owner said he never noticed a problem.

After about 2 hours of in and out we determined that the tabs were working (would stroke in and out) but were only dropping below the hull about an inch (if that). The tech stated that he looked in the service system and that Sea Ray has limiters inside of the trim tabs to keep people from tipping their boat over and that the trim tabs were not meant to be used as levelers on my boat.

This confused the heck out of me...what else are they for then??? I know they can be used to get the boat on plane...but not for leveling?

I have not taken the boat back out yet to test it again but was wondering if anyone else has heard of this or had the same issue.

Thanks for the help.

 

[rbh]

Re: Sea Ray 250 DA Trim Tabs

If your sitting and the boat lists over to one side its a weight thing.
Our sundancer lists to the starboard due to all the stuff in the cuddy, fuel tank, kitchen, head, rear bearth ETC.
A gen set installed on the port side would compinsate for us.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Sea Ray 250 DA Trim Tabs

at rest or drifting of course you can not adjust but under way should be no problem to adjust.
I do this all the time when I have a new girl on the boat.
I will ask her to switch sides with the big heavy guy on the boat.
As they are switching I adjust the tabs to again make her side low.
I have a lot of fun with this just have to be carefull to make sure there are no firearms or baseball bats around when she finds out.

 

[eric_a13]

Re: Sea Ray 250 DA Trim Tabs

If your sitting and the boat lists over to one side its a weight thing.
Our sundancer lists to the starboard due to all the stuff in the cuddy, fuel tank, kitchen, head, rear bearth ETC.
A gen set installed on the port side would compinsate for us.

Thanks for the answers...but...

As far as I can tell the boat doesn't list greatly when at low speed...but when we tried to bring it up on plane it listed to port and...according to the tech....the trim tabs didn't work.

My question is if there are stops in the trim tab cylinders that can/or should have been removed or is the travel I have indicated normal for this boat?

The answers given are entertaining (the one about the girl is hilarious...and will be tried I'm sure)...but not fully answering my questions...

 

[rbh]

Re: Sea Ray 250 DA Trim Tabs

OK then-
When the boat is out of the water, tab down all the way, are they the same angle did they go out the full stroke?
Apply alittle upwards force, if one or both move the holding valve could be shot or you have air in the system, have you checked the level in the reservour??
With the ram fully retracted/extended??? ( check you spects )
top up (to the line) with fluid and cycle the tabs in and out a few times to work the air out of the system.
As well check for leaks
hope thats of some help.
rob

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Sea Ray 250 DA Trim Tabs

i have never heard of sr using a limit switch in there tabs

they are manufactured for sr by Bennett and to sr specs which tend to be smaller plane-cord size than bennett recommends for other applications
but they work well ant way

the system on our 230 weekender is the same system on our 310 and both work well and would to compensate for the problem you are having

check and make sure the oil in the reservoir is full{even if it shows full now its a small reservoirs and easy to get air in system} and the air is purged from both cylinders. when the oil level gets low, the cylinders will get air pockets and the tab work slow and funky. sounds like to me what is happening. i had to fill-work both sides up and down and repeat till i got all the air purged out of the 230 when we got it.

 

[QC]

Re: Sea Ray 250 DA Trim Tabs

I would try what jax suggests. If there is a limiter of some type get rid of it. If it has auto levelers, I'd get rid of those too and just use them manually. My .02. Bennett is very good about support even with older stuff. I'd contact them.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Sea Ray 250 DA Trim Tabs

I also agree with all above. The Bennett that I have defelect far enough on either side to make the boat lean a lot. If the fulid is low it will not pump air and be able to lower either tab.
One other thing to check. On my boat I had to make a shim so the power unit would sit more level on the transom. If they are factory installed I would think they did that.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Sea Ray 250 DA Trim Tabs

i have never heard of sr using a limit switch in there tabs

they are manufactured for sr by Bennett and to sr specs which tend to be smaller plane size than bennett recommends for other applications

+1 on both points.

1. I've never heard of anybody putting a limiting switch in the assembly. Doesn't make sense (to me), and I think the tech who said they do, is full of it. It just sounds like they aren't working properly- you have good advice in this thread about how to check them.

2. Mine are also "undersized" according to bennett, but they seem to do an okay job.

 

[eric_a13]

Re: Sea Ray 250 DA Trim Tabs

Great stuff guys! Thanks a lot...I will check into the fluid level ASAP...can't believe I didn't think of it before...duh!

I will post the results. Thanks again.