It is ALL about the boat

Gettin' There II

Gettin' There II

New Member
Apr 1, 2007
67
Navarre, FL
Boat Info
2007 240 DA
Engines
5.0/Bravo III
Just ended the most spectacular stretch of boating our family has ever had. Started out last Wednesday, hit the water for a few hours, nice day just cruised along Navarre, FL.
Thursday rolls around and my wife had wanted to pick out some trees for landscaping, but wait she says, let's take the boat out instead. So we launch from Navarre cruise the ICW to Destin harbor, actually go out on the great big gulf of mexico all the while completing our 20 hour break in.
Friday evening MM docktail party where we meet two other couples with the same boat as us. Toured a Bertram 63, Meridian 411, and 391.
Saturday I get a handheld VHF and other boating neccesities for my birthday.
Sunday back on the water out to Crab Island then back home to wash the boat, still hooked to the truck because its going in for service tomorrow.
I only have one problem, I feel like a monkey peeling a banana with his feet when it comes to using the trim tabs. Oh and I need a second job to pay for the gas.
Any trim tab advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Sounds like a great weekend of boating :thumbsup:
Advice on the Trim Tabs. Push one for just a second see how it helps before you push it again. You'll get the hang of them after a couple times.
 
I was given the golden ticket here for trim tab use.

imagine the trim tab panel is a top view of the boat. if you want the port front to go down, push the top port tab. if you want the starboard front to go down, push the top starboard trim tab.

Once I was clued in on this forum, It's a piece of cake.
 
Gettin' There II said:
..................my wife had wanted to pick out some trees for landscaping, but wait she says, let's take the boat out instead.
Click to expand...
Who cares if your trim tabs work if this is what the Admiral says!
 
Stand behind the boat when its on the trailer and have the admiral activate one of the tabs. Probably under 4 seconds total and less movement then you might expect.
When you are out on the water you might try activating one at 1/2 second bursts while keeping in mind 1 or 2 - half second bursts can make a significant adjustment. The key is adjust and then give the boat 5 seconds to react and adjust. Just give yourself a little time and you will get the feel of the tabs and the trim.

Eddie
 
I start by pushing both trim tab switches in at the bottom all the way. This is my normal position, with a few minor adjustments. Start with the stern drive all the way down. Advance the throttle and come up onto plane. Trim the stern drive up a couple of clicks so the boat goes the fastest it can for the RPM without any adverse responses (cavitation, porpousing, noises...)

Actuate the top of the trim tab switch on the side that the bow needs to go down. For me, that's normally the top left switch, because I stand on the right.

When you come off of plane, leave them alone. Just trim the drive back down for your next start.

Once they're set, if there's a need to trim, I start by pushing the bottom right switch for a few seconds. That tab almost always stays in that position (because I stand on the right). Then, push the left switch as required to get the proper level attitude.

Rarely, in extremely heavy winds or with a lot of people on the boat, I may need to trim the left side up and the right down. If so, start by pushing the left up (bottom left switch). At all times, one of the two switches should be at full up (bottom side of switch). Otherwise, you're forcing the bow down into the water.

This is all based on my 250, which, by the way, is for sale.
 
Nehalennia II said:
Gettin' There II said:
..................my wife had wanted to pick out some trees for landscaping, but wait she says, let's take the boat out instead.
Click to expand...
Who cares if your trim tabs work if this is what the Admiral says!
Click to expand...
Amen to that... she's a keeper! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
This is my 3rd boat with trim tabs (2007 240DA) and I use them much less with this boat then with my older boats.
I basically start with the tabs retracted all the way and the drive all the way down. When on plane I trim the drive up to 4 or 5 setting and only use the tabs if leaning to one side or another. Just a short burst of trim tab is all you need. I've found over the years that if you get too picky you'll chase the trim with every wind or current change.
 
I agree....the admiral is a keeper... and thanks for all the trim tab responses, I think I may be too wrapped around the trim tabs right now. Its just a real transition from our previous boat.
 
Being as close as you are, hope you can make it down to PCB in June.
 
Gettin' There II said:
I agree....the admiral is a keeper... and thanks for all the trim tab responses, I think I may be too wrapped around the trim tabs right now. Its just a real transition from our previous boat.
Click to expand...
Well of course I was kidding above, but I think I'm like you in wanting the boat to ride nice and level.
I think they've described the method correctly. Play with it for awhile and you'll begin to feel the differences but I think the key is making small incrimental changes. :cool:
 
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