Using trim tabs
- Thread starter T4fish
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warthog5
Well-known member
Well Dropping the tabs.....IE: BOW Down will make the boat come on plane faster. What it does is force the A$$ UP and the Bow Down.
My boat.....Full of fuel actually gets better fuel millage with a LOT of tab and I have 9 X 24's on it.
It's just that these boats are A$$ end heavy.
When you force the Bow down it makes the Stem cut thru the water and or waves, as apposed to riding over them.
That will smooth the ride.
Seeing as how you are asking this question, I'm sure you do not understand exactly what is happening when ....for example you push Bow Down on the PORT switch to get the PORT side BOW down.
It makes the tab on the STB side go down.
Imagine the Boat from above. Now draw a X Bow to Stern. The Port Tab pushes the STB side BOW down. The STB tab pushes the PORT side down.
You only need to know this to work on them. After that forget it. But anyway.....Thats how they are wired and work......Normally.....
I say that because I have a buddy that does not like them wired that way.
My boat.....Full of fuel actually gets better fuel millage with a LOT of tab and I have 9 X 24's on it.
It's just that these boats are A$$ end heavy.
When you force the Bow down it makes the Stem cut thru the water and or waves, as apposed to riding over them.
That will smooth the ride.
Seeing as how you are asking this question, I'm sure you do not understand exactly what is happening when ....for example you push Bow Down on the PORT switch to get the PORT side BOW down.
It makes the tab on the STB side go down.
Imagine the Boat from above. Now draw a X Bow to Stern. The Port Tab pushes the STB side BOW down. The STB tab pushes the PORT side down.
You only need to know this to work on them. After that forget it. But anyway.....Thats how they are wired and work......Normally.....
I say that because I have a buddy that does not like them wired that way.Thank you for the reply. I was coming back to port on a choppy day last week along with a couple of other boats alongside and it just seemed like I was taking a worse beating. I have played with the trim in calm water and can definitely improve the ride/gas mileage but my experience is limited in rougher seas (when it really counts). Do you adjust the tilt on your engines? I have been running with the engines down completely, then adjust with trim tabs.
A little more info, I am powered with twin Yamaha 225's. any input is much appreciated.
A little more info, I am powered with twin Yamaha 225's. any input is much appreciated.
warthog5
Well-known member
It all plays an effect. Tilting the motors up raises the Bow. But it frees the drag on the boat.
Putting tabs down increases the drag on the boat [in theory] and Pushes the Bow down.
I say in theory, because it lifts the stern also and that has a bigger drag than the tabs themselves. So what happens is adding a little drag with the tabs reduces the main drag of the hull and is the less of the 2 evils. This shows up as increased speed, smoother ride and better fuel millage.
Putting tabs down increases the drag on the boat [in theory] and Pushes the Bow down.
I say in theory, because it lifts the stern also and that has a bigger drag than the tabs themselves. So what happens is adding a little drag with the tabs reduces the main drag of the hull and is the less of the 2 evils. This shows up as increased speed, smoother ride and better fuel millage.
Hyjack
Active member
T4Fish,
Here's my thoughts; try running your boat with a normal load in smooth water and observe the bow spray and wake.
If the boat is untrimmed, the bow spray will exit the sides of the boat pretty far aft, the wake will be high and close to the stern, and the motor(s) may sound like they're working harder than they need to, and the ride may be rough.
When trimmed, the bow spray moves forward and doesn't spray out as far, the wake is much lower in height and further aft of the boat, and the motor(s) will sound like they are not laboring as hard.
When using the tabs, use short burst, then see what happens. I also agree to but more bow down when running in rough conditions to get the bow to cut into the waves and smooth out the ride.
Botton line, just use 'em to get the ride that's best for you and your boat.
Here's my thoughts; try running your boat with a normal load in smooth water and observe the bow spray and wake.
If the boat is untrimmed, the bow spray will exit the sides of the boat pretty far aft, the wake will be high and close to the stern, and the motor(s) may sound like they're working harder than they need to, and the ride may be rough.
When trimmed, the bow spray moves forward and doesn't spray out as far, the wake is much lower in height and further aft of the boat, and the motor(s) will sound like they are not laboring as hard.
When using the tabs, use short burst, then see what happens. I also agree to but more bow down when running in rough conditions to get the bow to cut into the waves and smooth out the ride.
Botton line, just use 'em to get the ride that's best for you and your boat.
Lucky John
Well-known member
Proper use of the trim tabs and the engine tilt can great increase your mileage and ride.I suggest adjusting them and find that sweet spot. Complaints from people who say Parker sport cabins pound have no clue how to adjust the ride.
Luv2fish
Well-known member
I only have a 2120 but I find to get the best ride in rough conditions it is a combination of three elements (not just the 2 mentioned above)
1. Throttle - I have to reduce speed
2. Trim engine - I do this until I hear the engine "free up". I don't have a fuel usage meter but I can hear the engine is not pushing as hard
3. Trim tabs - I use them to get the bow down enough to cut the wave but not slam.
Depending on seas and current there is no consistent setting that works in all conditions. Every boat I've owned handles differently and it just takes time and experience in different conditions to get it right. I find that in one location where I leave the bay and enter a large tributary if I leave my bow down too much and it is an outgoing tide I am spending too much time fighting the bow. If I trim up the tabs a bit it is a much better ride.
The nice thing about getting experience is that it requires more time on the boat. That is a good thing.
1. Throttle - I have to reduce speed
2. Trim engine - I do this until I hear the engine "free up". I don't have a fuel usage meter but I can hear the engine is not pushing as hard
3. Trim tabs - I use them to get the bow down enough to cut the wave but not slam.
Depending on seas and current there is no consistent setting that works in all conditions. Every boat I've owned handles differently and it just takes time and experience in different conditions to get it right. I find that in one location where I leave the bay and enter a large tributary if I leave my bow down too much and it is an outgoing tide I am spending too much time fighting the bow. If I trim up the tabs a bit it is a much better ride.
The nice thing about getting experience is that it requires more time on the boat. That is a good thing.
