new to running 280 and trim tabs

C

Captn TJ

Active Member
Sep 19, 2017
872
Catawba Island, Oh
Boat Info
2005 280DA
Raymarine E80
Engines
5.0 with Bravo 3
I only have about 25 hrs. running our new to us 280. Up until yesterday I've had no reason to use tabs as the 2/5.0's get the boat on plane quickly. It was a bit sloppy yesterday so wanting to smooth the ride I tried using the tabs. Unlike my other boats that had LED tab indicators - how do you know how much tab you've extended or retracted?
 
I just use a count, one thousand and one, one thousand and two.... So far my tabs move the same amount in the same amount of time so it works.
 
I had 4.3s with my 280, and did occasionally use tab . Start fully retracted and adjust slowly. I found that using tabs was mostly to "level" the boat in rough seas... either listing to one side, or running slow in heavy chop.

It is all by feel.
 
One additional question - do the engines need to be on to power up the tabs? They're currently extended (boat is in rack storage) or can I just turn on the battery and retract them?
 
IMG_4230.JPG
The tabs operate independent of the motors.
 
Just by feel. Unlike most go fast style boats.....sea ray trim tabs are opposite and have no indicator. You just follow the little arrows for what you want to happen and hold a little longer. Right side controls left trim tab. Funky. This is my second sea ray and we can from go fast boats....so was strange.
 
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