TidetheKnot
New Member
Hi All - We are having a lot of trouble keeping the boat level. We never know where the trim tabs are. Anyone have any advice for these?
Thanks
Thanks
New 240 Sundancer Owner
- Thread starter TidetheKnot
- Start date
spikeitaudi
Member
First off congrats on your new boat. You need to post a pic. Rule for a new poster. 
Second the 240DA is notorious for listing to either side and the boat is very sensative to tab inputs. That being said reset your tabs before going out every trip. Hit the bottom button on both trip tabs to ensure they are fully up when setting out. I always then hold the up button on both sides for 3 seconds. When out on the water now I know I can adjust up or down on either side depending on what I need. I always try to adjust the side that is up first before trying to move the down side if that makes sense. Also, make sure your have your outdrive all the way down.
It take some time to get use to it but trust me once you get it, it becomes second nature. I was going to install LED indicators for the tab positions but now I know where they are by my process of setting them up.
Second the 240DA is notorious for listing to either side and the boat is very sensative to tab inputs. That being said reset your tabs before going out every trip. Hit the bottom button on both trip tabs to ensure they are fully up when setting out. I always then hold the up button on both sides for 3 seconds. When out on the water now I know I can adjust up or down on either side depending on what I need. I always try to adjust the side that is up first before trying to move the down side if that makes sense. Also, make sure your have your outdrive all the way down.
It take some time to get use to it but trust me once you get it, it becomes second nature. I was going to install LED indicators for the tab positions but now I know where they are by my process of setting them up.
Last edited:
CV-23
Active Member
- Jun 25, 2010
- 1,891
- Boat Info
- 1990 270 Sundancer, 2003 Ford Excursion 4x4 Limited
- Engines
- 454 merCruiser w/Bravo 1
I always start with both up, set my drive trim and then "bow down" one side to correct load balance. I seldom need to move both to correct my "people load". My boat sits level with just the two of us at the helm bench. BTW...congrats on a great boat, Mike.
JimG
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2008
- 6,085
- Boat Info
- 2007 310 DA
Kohler 5ECD
- Engines
- Twin 350 Mags
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drives
Congratulations and welcome to CSR!
TidetheKnot
New Member
I can't seem to get a photo up on here. Everyone I try is too big.
Nehalennia
Well-Known Member
- Aug 22, 2007
- 10,006
- Boat Info
- 2001 310DA twin 350 MAGs, Westerbeke 4.5KW
- Engines
- Twin 350 MAG V-drives
Upload it to photobucket.com and use the "img" link. Copy and paste.
Welcome aboard and congrats.
Welcome aboard and congrats.
Bucit
New Member
- Mar 12, 2010
- 3,144
- Boat Info
- 2005 280 Sundancer
2004 SPD-104 Achilles w/ 8hp Yamaha
- Engines
- Twin 4.3 MPI's with Alpha drives.
Resize the photo, save it and then attach.
Congratulations on the 240DA. Your boat is very sensitive to trim tab adjustments just like the 2005-2008 260DA's are. Make sure your tabs are fully retracted and never use them to come on plane. It is OK to trim the drive while coming on plane. Once you are on plane only use one trim tab at a time to get the boat level. If you attempt to use both, then things can get pretty exciting.
Best of luck with the new boat.
Dave
Best of luck with the new boat.
Dave
zeehond_nl
Member
Congratulations!!!
Gr marco
Gr marco
TidetheKnot
New Member
So now I have the photo in an album - how can I get it to the profile? I am missing something.
kaz911
Active Member
To make it a bit easier - fill your water tank. It will help keep the boat more stable as you are learning. My borrowed 240DA is very lively but became a bit more manageable with full water tank. It will become slightly more sluggish - but took the worst of the trim instability away.
And remember - only use SHORT bursts of trim when correcting. Rather press the button 3 times in short bursts than one big one.
I'm installing Bennett Auto Trim Control on it at the moment. That will hopefully make it a lot more pleasant to work with. ATC costs <$300 and is quite easy to install. When it is installed - then when you are on the plane - you just press the a button and the ATC system keeps your boat level no matter how your passengers move around.
And remember - only use SHORT bursts of trim when correcting. Rather press the button 3 times in short bursts than one big one.
I'm installing Bennett Auto Trim Control on it at the moment. That will hopefully make it a lot more pleasant to work with. ATC costs <$300 and is quite easy to install. When it is installed - then when you are on the plane - you just press the a button and the ATC system keeps your boat level no matter how your passengers move around.
TidetheKnot
New Member
Thank you - I see you've kept moving up to a Sundancer - Good Luck!
spikeitaudi
Member
FYI... Incase you where thinking this might not be the best weekend to go out in the ocean.
Scalerious
New Member
I do the same as CV-23. I begin with them in the up position, then adjust along the way based on load (people/fuel/water etc)
I wanted to write because I wanted to underscore that the trim tabs are EXTREMELY sensitive on my 240. (I have a 2000) every little touch sends the boat listing in one direction or the other. Ive come to learn how to use them and can now keep the boat pretty level. But it took a few weeks of practice.
Good luck
I wanted to write because I wanted to underscore that the trim tabs are EXTREMELY sensitive on my 240. (I have a 2000) every little touch sends the boat listing in one direction or the other. Ive come to learn how to use them and can now keep the boat pretty level. But it took a few weeks of practice.
Good luck
