I have been trimming the drive on my 2007 260 sundancer just under 1/4 on the display when going on plane. My question is this enough and I have heard that you could do damage to the outdrive if you trim too much. Also wondering if in low water how much can you trim it up without damaging your outdrive. Thanks for all the help,
Trimming drive
- Thread starter dino
- Start date
On the Smartcraft gauge, "10" is typically set as the upper, safe limit. It's a lot easier to tell you to look at that than to describe where to put the needle. Once you see 10, then look at the needle.
Keep the drive all the way down to get onto plane - as it starts to plane off, you can start to back off throttle and trim up at the same time -- unless of course you're going WOT.
Can you go higher than 10 at low speeds? Yes, but be careful - it's hard to hear the knuckles of the u-joint smacking into each other, until it becomes obvious.
As far as where to run the trim once you're on plane, it's going to depend largely on conditions. But what you mentioned is in the neighborhood.
Keep the drive all the way down to get onto plane - as it starts to plane off, you can start to back off throttle and trim up at the same time -- unless of course you're going WOT.
Can you go higher than 10 at low speeds? Yes, but be careful - it's hard to hear the knuckles of the u-joint smacking into each other, until it becomes obvious.
As far as where to run the trim once you're on plane, it's going to depend largely on conditions. But what you mentioned is in the neighborhood.
VTSeaRay
Active Member
- Feb 19, 2008
- 1,905
- Boat Info
- 2007 210 Select w/5.0L 260HP MPI Mercruiser Alpha 1
- Engines
- 8 cyl 5.0 Merc mpi, w/alpha 1 with 19" prop, with the speedo hole on the leading edge just above it
With my boat being smaller than that, it varies, depending on my load, and where they're seated. So, I start with keeping an eye on my bow height, then to fine tune, I watch the spray on the sides, and exiting out the rear of my boat. When it's minimized on both, is when I feel I'm fine tuned the best for trim. (I also monitor my speed vs rpms at the same time) Sometimes I vary it based on the waves too.
-VtSeaRay
-VtSeaRay
Dino
I know your question was about how far to trim the drive but since we have the same basic boat I find it better to explain my recommendations all the way thru because of the unique traits of our 260's. Here is what I posted previously for someone else. Incidently in low water you shouldn't trim past that first detent either unless you have no choice. Then make sure you are just idling.
Dave
-----------------------------------------------------------
First off I will make this disclaimer right up front. This advice only applies to 2005-2008 260DAs. If you have an earlier model 260DA or almost any other model Sea Ray, except maybe for the newer 240DAs, you will usually use your trim and tabs in a much different way.
Before attempting to come on plane make sure your tabs are fully retracted regardless of your load. In other words DO NOT USE YOUR TABS TO COME ON PLANE .......EVER.
Make sure your outdrive is trimmed fully down before taking off. Just before the boat starts to plane you will feel it list to port or starboard a bit. As soon as you feel that list, begin trimming the out drive up gradually until it straightens up. (It will straighten right up too if you do it quickly and no one will even notice a list when you really get good at it:grin:). Keep on trimming the drive until the boat is fully on plane then trim the drive up or down for the most comfortable ride. I find on mine that many times I have to trim all the way up to the trailer-stop (that's the spot right before you have to press your red trim button down real hard to go into full up trailer trim......never do that while underway:smt009)
Now that the boat is on plane use your trim tab to balance the load side to side. Notice I said TAB. It 's important you trim only for the side that is listing when underway. If you change course direction and the boat start to list to the other side, first retract the tab you were using and then use the other tab to balance the boat again. Never try to use both tabs simultaneously unless you are below planing speed and are just trying to plant the bow.
If you follow these simple steps, all you 2005-2008 260DA owners will be very happy how your boat performs. If you do it any other way........................well................... .....let's just say you won't like what happens. :smt043
Dave
I know your question was about how far to trim the drive but since we have the same basic boat I find it better to explain my recommendations all the way thru because of the unique traits of our 260's. Here is what I posted previously for someone else. Incidently in low water you shouldn't trim past that first detent either unless you have no choice. Then make sure you are just idling.
Dave
-----------------------------------------------------------
First off I will make this disclaimer right up front. This advice only applies to 2005-2008 260DAs. If you have an earlier model 260DA or almost any other model Sea Ray, except maybe for the newer 240DAs, you will usually use your trim and tabs in a much different way.
Before attempting to come on plane make sure your tabs are fully retracted regardless of your load. In other words DO NOT USE YOUR TABS TO COME ON PLANE .......EVER.
Make sure your outdrive is trimmed fully down before taking off. Just before the boat starts to plane you will feel it list to port or starboard a bit. As soon as you feel that list, begin trimming the out drive up gradually until it straightens up. (It will straighten right up too if you do it quickly and no one will even notice a list when you really get good at it:grin:). Keep on trimming the drive until the boat is fully on plane then trim the drive up or down for the most comfortable ride. I find on mine that many times I have to trim all the way up to the trailer-stop (that's the spot right before you have to press your red trim button down real hard to go into full up trailer trim......never do that while underway:smt009)
Now that the boat is on plane use your trim tab to balance the load side to side. Notice I said TAB. It 's important you trim only for the side that is listing when underway. If you change course direction and the boat start to list to the other side, first retract the tab you were using and then use the other tab to balance the boat again. Never try to use both tabs simultaneously unless you are below planing speed and are just trying to plant the bow.
If you follow these simple steps, all you 2005-2008 260DA owners will be very happy how your boat performs. If you do it any other way........................well................... .....let's just say you won't like what happens. :smt043
Dave
Thanks for the advice! I have been only been trimming up to 2 on the smartcraft. I took my first 2 hour round trip the other day and used a 1/2 tank of gas a thought I may have been doing something wrong. I can't imagine anyone owning a Sea Ray and not going to this site, Thanks Again
Dino
Dino
skibum
Well-Known Member
What engine do you have? 1/2 tank over 2 hours seems a little high to me. With an 84 gallon tank, I'd expect you to get about 3 hours of cruising out of 1/2 tank.
I'm getting 13.6 -13.9 gph at around 3400 - 3500 RPM with the 8.1 HO engine.
Michael
I'm getting 13.6 -13.9 gph at around 3400 - 3500 RPM with the 8.1 HO engine.
Michael
I Have the 6.2 mpi Horizon. I kept it around 28-30mph and if I remember right the rpm's were about 4200. I am new to a boat this size and did not know what to expect for fuel consupmtion but it seemed high to me. I am going to track it for a while and try and get a better idea of gph.
Thanks
Dino
Thanks
Dino
Steve.Lynette
New Member
Keeping mine at 26-27mph and trimmed right, I'm showing 11.8gph. Follow Dave S's advice and you can't go wrong. This boat is new to us...well, new period...and I've learned that if I do whatever Dave says, I'll be in good shape.
skibum
Well-Known Member
I'm the 3rd owner. The first owner apparently had more money than brains. I spoke with the marina where it was originally purchased. The boat was sold with a 350. It was replaced once under warranty. The dealer did the first swap. The 2nd owner bought it with the 496 HO already installed. He only had it for a short while because his wife and kids "hated it" (as in being on the boat). According to Merc it was a brand new 2005 complete engine and drive combo. All I can say is that it made a sweet deal even better. I bought the boat from a guy who had a good bit of money, and a wife nagging him to get rid of it. He took a pretty large loss on it. :thumbsup:
I'm kinda embarrassed to say it, but I haven't really ever put it at WOT and let her run all the way out. I can tell you for sure that with (slightly) damaged props, I had it to about 4600-4700 and crossing 42 MPH on the GPS last year with full water, full fuel, and 2 adults on board. She was still pulling hard when I had to slow down because I was approaching the channel. Never got around to doing it again. Soon...
To keep this on track, I had my props reconditioned last winter. Now I use even less drive trim than I did last year. I used to run at 1/4 on the trim gauge. Now, about 2 or 3 "bumps" on the trim switch does it. This is about 1/8 on the gauge.
Michael
I'm kinda embarrassed to say it, but I haven't really ever put it at WOT and let her run all the way out. I can tell you for sure that with (slightly) damaged props, I had it to about 4600-4700 and crossing 42 MPH on the GPS last year with full water, full fuel, and 2 adults on board. She was still pulling hard when I had to slow down because I was approaching the channel. Never got around to doing it again. Soon...
To keep this on track, I had my props reconditioned last winter. Now I use even less drive trim than I did last year. I used to run at 1/4 on the trim gauge. Now, about 2 or 3 "bumps" on the trim switch does it. This is about 1/8 on the gauge.
Michael
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Dino
Your fuel burn numbers seem too high and it's likely because of how you have the drive trimmed. Take a look at one of my earlier posts which shows you what I typically get at various RPMS.
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4189&highlight=northstar
The 6.2 ought to produce similar results. When trimming the drive, go for the position that you gives you the "smoothest" operation. You can literally feel the boat speed up and slow down. If you want to experiment to see what I mean just (slowly) run the trim all the way up and all the way back down while underway and you will feel the difference
Dave
Your fuel burn numbers seem too high and it's likely because of how you have the drive trimmed. Take a look at one of my earlier posts which shows you what I typically get at various RPMS.
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4189&highlight=northstar
The 6.2 ought to produce similar results. When trimming the drive, go for the position that you gives you the "smoothest" operation. You can literally feel the boat speed up and slow down. If you want to experiment to see what I mean just (slowly) run the trim all the way up and all the way back down while underway and you will feel the difference
Dave
bw76273
New Member
dprvashon
New Member
Greetings...Dave, I appreciate your advice and will try it next time I go out. I am a new owner of a 2009 240DA with the standard 350.
We had a bit of an issue concerning wake and trim last night as I came out of the harbor and began to throttle up. There were two other boats ahead which began to throw off a lot of wake which I slipped into and had a very hard time getting out of. The boat healed way over and we sort of rode the wake for a while. I had to power way back to idle and let the boats get far ahead. I found that with other boats heading in the same direction, I cannot take their wake which is hard in our narrow channel. Our boat has a 21 degree deadrise and I was trying to use the trim tabs a little. Needles to say, it was very uncomfortable to try to get up on plane when trying to avoid other's wake.
Will raising the outdrive a little help this?
Dave R
We had a bit of an issue concerning wake and trim last night as I came out of the harbor and began to throttle up. There were two other boats ahead which began to throw off a lot of wake which I slipped into and had a very hard time getting out of. The boat healed way over and we sort of rode the wake for a while. I had to power way back to idle and let the boats get far ahead. I found that with other boats heading in the same direction, I cannot take their wake which is hard in our narrow channel. Our boat has a 21 degree deadrise and I was trying to use the trim tabs a little. Needles to say, it was very uncomfortable to try to get up on plane when trying to avoid other's wake.
Will raising the outdrive a little help this?
Dave R
Dave
I took your advice on going through the trim and did find that sweet spot you were talking about. I was out with a boatload yesterday 12pp 1/2 kids. coming back the winds kicked up and was going through the gut which has very strong currents. I gave her all I had and she just would not go over 3000rpms. Tried trimming drive and it seemed worse.
Was it just too much for the boat or something I was not doing right? Thanks Again
Dean
I took your advice on going through the trim and did find that sweet spot you were talking about. I was out with a boatload yesterday 12pp 1/2 kids. coming back the winds kicked up and was going through the gut which has very strong currents. I gave her all I had and she just would not go over 3000rpms. Tried trimming drive and it seemed worse.
Was it just too much for the boat or something I was not doing right? Thanks Again
Dean
Dave
We boat on an inland lake so I know what you are talking about. On a busy weekend we have wakes comming at us from all directions and it can be some what disconcerting to say the least trying to cross those in a parallel plane and getting caught in the middle of the rollers. I find in these situations you have no choice but to slow down. On my boat I can usually feel somewhat comfortable by keeping up enough rpm to keep her just on plane and adjusting the outdrive trim accordingly. For us thats about 22 mph and it doesn't beat us up to badly. Going any faster than this and getting caught in the wrong wake will give you some unexpected excitement:wow:. But if it gets really bad then I have no other choice but to slow down to about 9 mph. Nothing in between these speeds works well. I do not use the trim tabs generally speaking but if I do it's only at the slow speeds and only if I want to plant the bow a bit.
Dave
Dean
First off if I understand your post you had 12 on Board? 12 people on board is quite a load. Were you able to get the boat to plane at all? If you couldn't get up on plane, that would certainly limit your rpm. Do you have any growth on the bottom of your boat? That can slow you way down as well. I had planing issues at one time as well with a load of people on board and there is something you can do about that but before I get into it let me know the answer to my questions above.
Dave
Moose
New Member
- Oct 23, 2006
- 363
- Boat Info
- 2004 260 SunDancer, GenSet, Lowrance GPS/Fish Combo
- Engines
- 350 Magnum w/B3
A 496 in a 260 SD! Wow! I think you definitely got the better part of the deal. Previous owner paid mucho $$$ for that. Hope you got the good deal! Anyways trim to me is a sound kinda thing. With my 350, start at 0 trim and when the bow starts to go down, trim up to 3, you'll hear a definite sound difference in the engine. Less "groaning" I call it. Try it, you will hear it.
Dave,
You heard it right 12pp!, Never again. It was 4 adults, 3 teenagers and 5 kids, It was a windy day and I did not go out very far. No growth on bottom. I got her to plane a couple of times that day but was very difficult. Between the weight, wind and current it was a challange to keep her steady. The only time I was a little nervous was when I had the throttle down and was getting very little power.
Thanks,
Dean
You heard it right 12pp!, Never again. It was 4 adults, 3 teenagers and 5 kids, It was a windy day and I did not go out very far. No growth on bottom. I got her to plane a couple of times that day but was very difficult. Between the weight, wind and current it was a challange to keep her steady. The only time I was a little nervous was when I had the throttle down and was getting very little power.
Thanks,
Dean
ChuckW
Active Member
- Mar 6, 2009
- 1,487
- Boat Info
- 2007 RoadKing Tri-Axle Trailer towed by a 2013 Yukon XL K2500
- Engines
- 496 MAG Bravo III
Sorry Dean. I've had 12 adults and gear onboard. Get on plane in no time. Never a problem :thumbsup:
