Constantly adjusting trim tabs

[LM230]

I have a 1997 230 sundancer, great boat, nice looking and is very well maintained, runs great...But I have re-adjust the trim tabs seemingly all the time. Idle speed and a bit more is fine, but during acceleration The tabs have to be adjusted, at various speeds or the list gets fairly severe. Once on plane at or near top speed it's no problem, but when turning it wants to abnormally list again..almost "flops over". Not dangerous, but annoying. Again, when returning to idle speed from higher speeds the boat will again list. I'm a day-tripper, so not much gear, usually just the wife and I (my weight is around 195, hers 135), so not a balance/weight issue. I just feel like I'm playing with the tabs all the time. Is this a normal characteristic for this size dancer?? Do sundancers act this way in general or just the smaller versions? What gives? I'm seriously considering a trade. Thanks for the input. JA

 

[scoflaw]

It's the torque that V8 is putting on that single prop. Twin screws would take care of your problem. A B3 outdrive would help on a single engine, as well

 

[just me]

Get it out of the water and see if both tabs will go up and down the same ,one not staying down, now see if you are using them right , bennets work backwards on the rocker switches .

 

[LM230]

Would the "torque" cause boat to list starboard down-ward or port down-ward?? thx

 

[alnav]

You might want to get an AutoTab Controller. Costs a couple hundred bucks and easy to self-install. Set it at the optimum attitude that suits you and it will take care of the rest, adjusting the tabs much faster than you can.

 

[scoflaw]

Port downward

 

[magster65]

Unfortunately this is a trait that the smaller Sea Rays have. Both my 240's did it... and they were both bravo 3's. The 260's do it as well... but the 280's and up don't seem to.

 

[Studman]

My 290 does it and it drives me crazy!
sometimes I can get it just right and the boat wil stay that way and other times I can't seem to get it to settle down.

most times I get it and then someone moves on the boat and it screws me all up and I have to find the right tabs again.
I have started to tell my guest to stay put till we get where we are going !

I was told it's because of my bravo 2

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

I had a 268 Dancer that had similar tendencies. The combination of larger tabs and Bennett's Auto Tab System solved 90% of the issue.

 

[Xplicitlnck]

I have a 99 270 and have the same issue only listing hard starboard. Constantly playing with the switches. I found that trimming the out drive up a little helps as well gets more hull out of the water and sits on a little more of a flat surface instead of the v. I also try my best to leave my holding Tank empty (on starboard side) and my water tank half full (on port) kinda works as a ballast tank. But you getuse to it after a little while

 

[Phlorida]

I had a 268 Dancer that had similar tendencies. The combination of larger tabs and Bennett's Auto Tab System solved 90% of the issue.

I am giving thought to this exact upgrade for this fall. I hate hearing the people with the 270's and 290's say that they experience the issue too.

 

[dpvandy01]

Had the headache with my 1993 230. Narrow beam and high COG! No trouble with my 1995 250 and zero trouble with the 2001 280.

 

[JimFromMD]

I am giving thought to this exact upgrade for this fall. I hate hearing the people with the 270's and 290's say that they experience the issue too.

May dad has a 87 270 sundancer with no problems like that. She sits a little heavier to port in the slip for some reason, but we've always figured that was because he doesnt fill the water tank. He's more of a day tripper type.

 

[chandalen]

May dad has a 87 270 sundancer with no problems like that. She sits a little heavier to port in the slip for some reason, but we've always figured that was because he doesnt fill the water tank. He's more of a day tripper type.

My 270 lists to port in the slip as well (with water tank filled). I can only assume its because the fridge and an extra 75lb battery are on that side. Not sure what else could cause it. Could be the engine keys... they are kinda heavy... they always sink right to the bottom of the slip...

 

[Darylle]

Increase the size of the tabs. I had some experimental steel plates with folds on the sides bolted under the std. tabs and it did give a noticable improvement in responsiveness.

 

[CV-23]

I always trim my 270 up once on plane and use the trim tabs only to balance the load of people on board. My 270 sits perfect and level in the water. My friends 268 lists to starboard in the slip. That would really annoy me, Mike.

 

[FiremistSLK_old]

I found that with my 1997 240 w/5.7L Alpha, if I trim the drive up a bit while on plane, the boat sits more on the flat area of the hull back near the transom (and the trim tabs). When the outdrive is trimmed down (or in) for bow down, I get the list as well.

 

[RichmonS]

My 280 Sundeck can do this as well and I have to adjust the trim tabs frequently. I have a Bravo 3 and it does not help that all of the seating in the cockpit is also on the port side of the boat.

 

[LM230]

Looks like new, and larger trim tabs are needed. The tabs on my 230 are 10" wide x 11 (chord). I talked to the nice folks at Bennett and they said the factory tabs are way to small for this boat. They recommended a 23 x 9, and feel like this will stabilize the situation nicely. So I'm installing new tabs and actuators. I'm starting a new thread because I need to patch the "old" actuator tube hole, and don't know how. Thanks for the advise, I'll let you know how the new tabs act. JA

 

[Danny Troy]

I haven't had to touch my trim tabs in three years while underway, after installing the Bennett Auto system. Cost about $230.00 online, and was one of the best investments I made for my boat. Best part is it can be installed while in water. I installed it myself, but can be a bit challenging if your not mechanically inclined. The funny thing is it remembers last years setting, so I haven't had to re-calibrate since it was installed. This system should be standard on all boats with trim tabs.