Yes..trim tabs again!!

[LetsRock]

Im ready to take my beating like a man but I really need the :smt100

My trim tab panel has 4 buttons, 2 on top and 2 on the bottom. It looks like a 4 on a pair of dice.

The top 2 say bow up with arrow pointing port and starboard and the bottom 2 say bow down with arrows pointing port and starboard.

My 2 questions are:

When I need to lower the bow do I press the 2 bottom buttons at the same time to lower the bow or does bow down mean thats what I press is the bow IS down and I want to raise the bow?

Sceondly, if my boat is listing to the port side do i press the 2 buttons on the right of the panel to get it corrected to the starboard side or do I press the 2 buttons on the left side since I am listing that way?


I like to think I am somewhat intelligent but am reconsidering after not being able to figure this out.

Thanks for the help and be gentle.

 

[Bugsy24]

To lower the Bow you lower the Tabs... on the List adjust the side that's down by raising that sides tab and lowering the other side!! Sometimes it's just a subtle tweak that's needed !!:thumbsup: Basically what the Trim Tab does is create Drag which gives you lift in the Stern when the Tabs are deployed !! Hope this Helps!!

 

[LetsRock]

To lower the Bow you lower the Tabs... on the List adjust the side that's down by raising that sides tab and lowering the other side!! Sometimes it's just a subtle tweak that's needed !!:thumbsup:

Thank you Bugsy and I get all that but what does that mean in terms of the buttons? Is it as I described in my post? What if the bow is at a perfect level and I am listing port? What button(s) do I press?

 

[Clam Bake]

Assuming your trim tabs are both down in mid travel range, if the boat is level and listing to the port, then I would press the buttons for port up and starboard down. I start my trip with trim tabs all the way up, then put both down as needed to bring the bow down, and then press one or the other up/down as needed to correct any listing.

One thing that initially caused me confusion is that the left buttons control the right trim tab and the right buttons control the left trim tabs - this is the way it was designed to be, I only mention it because if you are trying to visualize pressing the left button and having the left trim tab react, you will spend hours/days figuring it out like I did

My trim tabs have limitations - if I have several people on one side and non on the other, I would not be able to correct the listing with the trim tabs I have.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Well, this is one of those things that you could get 10 different suggestions of what to do, yet they will all be right. So... here's another...:smt001

I think that the easiest thing for you to do is to think of only one thing... What do you want the bow to do? Nothing else. For example: Do you want the entire bow to go up or down? Do you want just the stbd side to go down/up?

Ask yourself that question... answer it... then, simply press the corresponding button accordingly.

NEVER press an "up" and "down" at the same time - depending on your setup, you may blow a fuse. The pump can only run in one direction at time and doing so would "confuse" it. You can, however, press both ups or both downs at the same time.

As far as whether or not you should always be using them... that's going to depend on your particular hull, weight onboard and conditions.

One area that is pretty common across the board... if you find the bow bouncing around in a choppy sea (porpoising)... push both down buttons a little at time to steady the bow.

FYI, Bennett (trim tabs) used to have a trim tab simulator on their website - I haven't checked recently.

 

[Tabman]

We still have the simulator, here is a link, http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/simulator.htm it's a lot of fun, and gives a great idea how to run Trim Tabs.

LetsRock,

The way the controls are set up from the factory is that the buttons are pushed in the direction you want the boat to go. For example, if you want the bow to go down, you push the top two buttons at the same time, if you want the bow to come up you push the bottom two buttons at the same time.

If the boat is leaning to port (the starboard bow is high) you push the right hand top button, and conversely if the boat is leaning to starboard you push the left hard top button. Ans so on. Don't worry about which tab is moving, just push the buttons in relation to how you want the boat to respond.

To expand on what Lazy Days said, do not push one side up and the other side down at the same time. On older systems like yours it can blow the fuse. You can push both up or both down at the same time, but not one up and one down at the same time. Newer systems have a lockout that prevent the fuse from blowing if you do push them that way.

Getting and Staying Trimmed

All boats assume different fore to aft attitudes at different throttle settings and vary in sensitivity to lateral weight distribution.

A boat’s optimum running attitude is determined by the operator. While some people may define optimum running attitude as the highest possible speed for a given amount of engine RPMs, others desire the best possible fuel economy, yet others may be trimming the boat to get just the right mix of speed and wake (such as for waterskiing.)

Optimum running attitude is when the boat is running to the operator’s satisfaction for the given operating conditions. There are as many optimum running attitudes as there are boats and boat owners

A good way to determine a boats optimum running angle is to run the boat lightly loaded at full speed in calm water. During this test observe the boat’s bow in relation to the horizon. Most boats run at or near their optimum attitude under these conditions. This should give you a feel for the appearance of the wake and bow spray when running at an efficient attitude. Note that not all boats will achieve their optimum running attitude under these conditions. Some boats will benefit from extra lift even when running at their maximum throttle settings. If you feel the boat will benefit from added bow down trim when running at speed start with the trim tabs fully up and deflect the trim tabs in short bursts. Be alert to changes in the boats handling, as you bring the bow down. Observe any changes in RPMs and/or speed. Adjust power trim if applicable.

Indications of Running Untrimmed
When a boat is running untrimmed the bow spray will exit the sides of the boat far aft. The stern wave (wake) is high and curling like a breaker on the beach. The rooster tail is high and close to the stern. The engine is laboring and the ride tends to be less smooth.

Indications of Running Trimmed
The bow spray moves forward and is flung not as far from the boat. The wake diminishes in height, as the rooster tail flattens out and moves away from the boat. The engine is operating under less load as evidenced by the tachometer and speed as well as sounding “less strained”.

One Step at a Time
The key to obtaining optimal results from trim tabs is to operate them in short “bursts” and let the boat react before making another adjustment. The amount of time between corrections is influenced by the size of the trim tabs and the boat’s speed. This will help avoid overtrimming or ending up with one tab too far down when correcting lateral trim. You will quickly become acquainted with a boat’s particular traits.

Take Off
Properly sized trim tabs can significantly reduce the time needed to get up on plane. They also allow a boat to keep its bow down and stay on plane at lower speeds.
As the throttle is advanced the stern of the boat begins to squat, lifting the bow. As the boat accelerates, push the bow down position of the helm control in short bursts. The boat reacts by the stern lifting, the bow coming down, speed increasing, and reduced engine laboring. If you over do it and deflect the tabs too far the boat will end up overtrimmed. When over trimmed, the steering becomes “over sensitive” and wants to pull off course to port or starboard. If this occurs, operate the control “bow up" until the desired attitude is established.

Getting the Most from Power Trim
Adjust the trim tabs to achieve the desired running attitude. Then use the power trim to position the propeller thrust parallel to the water flow. If necessary, re-adjust the trim tabs to fine tune the attitude. By observing the boat’s speed and engine RPMs the best combination of trim tabs and power trim will be apparent. Trim tab angle indicators and a power trim angle indicator are particularly useful in duplicating effective settings.

Trimming to Sea Conditions
When running into a head sea you want to trim the bow down so the sharp forward sections of the boat do their work cleaving the waves. This provides the most comfortable ride and minimizes stress on the boat (and passengers). In a following sea the tabs should be fully retracted for maximum steering response.

Correction of a List
The normal control setup for trim tabs operates in relation to the desired changes in trim and not the actual movement of the tabs. Therefore, do not think about what the tabs are doing, but rather on the control and what you want the boat to do. As above, make the corrections in bursts and allow the boat to settle to the new settings. You may find it easier to correct the boat’s fore and aft attitude before you correct the side to side trim.

Correction of Porpoising
Operate the tabs in very short bursts of about half a second. Continue until porpoising subsides. The objective is to have only a very slight amount of tab deflection, just the amount needed to cure the up and down motion of the bow.

Make your corrections in short bursts, a second at a time is a good place to start, and let the boat settle down between corrections.

One of the best things you can do is experiment with the Trim Tabs, and using them will soon become second nature.

Below you will find an article I wrote for people who may be new to using Trim Tabs. I hope it is helpful.

Please let me know if you have any questions,
Tom McGow

 

[islandhopper00]

I'm going to go with a simple solution!
Press a button and see what happens! Then press two buttons and see what happens! So on and so forth untill you figure out what button does what.
Is that to easy, or am I being a jerk. I don't mean to be a jerk.

Oh, do this when the lake or where ever you boat is not crowded.

 

[mwph]

As Dennis suggested, we all have our own way of "remembering which button does what". I just think of the 4 buttons as the 4 corners of the boat. Whatever works for you is what works for you.

Tabman...
As usual, the quality of your post, and in this thread especially, is top notch. You took the time to explain the subject in detail. Thanks for helping CSR be the best it can be.

 

[LetsRock]

We still have the simulator, here is a link, http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/simulator.htm it's a lot of fun, and gives a great idea how to run Trim Tabs.

LetsRock,

The way the controls are set up from the factory is that the buttons are pushed in the direction you want the boat to go. For example, if you want the bow to go down, you push the top two buttons at the same time, if you want the bow to come up you push the bottom two buttons at the same time.

If the boat is leaning to port (the starboard bow is high) you push the right hand top button, and conversely if the boat is leaning to starboard you push the left hard top button. Ans so on. Don't worry about which tab is moving, just push the buttons in relation to how you want the boat to respond.

To expand on what Lazy Days said, do not push one side up and the other side down at the same time. On older systems like yours it can blow the fuse. You can push both up or both down at the same time, but not one up and one down at the same time. Newer systems have a lockout that prevent the fuse from blowing if you do push them that way.

Getting and Staying Trimmed

All boats assume different fore to aft attitudes at different throttle settings and vary in sensitivity to lateral weight distribution.

A boat’s optimum running attitude is determined by the operator. While some people may define optimum running attitude as the highest possible speed for a given amount of engine RPMs, others desire the best possible fuel economy, yet others may be trimming the boat to get just the right mix of speed and wake (such as for waterskiing.)

Optimum running attitude is when the boat is running to the operator’s satisfaction for the given operating conditions. There are as many optimum running attitudes as there are boats and boat owners

A good way to determine a boats optimum running angle is to run the boat lightly loaded at full speed in calm water. During this test observe the boat’s bow in relation to the horizon. Most boats run at or near their optimum attitude under these conditions. This should give you a feel for the appearance of the wake and bow spray when running at an efficient attitude. Note that not all boats will achieve their optimum running attitude under these conditions. Some boats will benefit from extra lift even when running at their maximum throttle settings. If you feel the boat will benefit from added bow down trim when running at speed start with the trim tabs fully up and deflect the trim tabs in short bursts. Be alert to changes in the boats handling, as you bring the bow down. Observe any changes in RPMs and/or speed. Adjust power trim if applicable.

Indications of Running Untrimmed
When a boat is running untrimmed the bow spray will exit the sides of the boat far aft. The stern wave (wake) is high and curling like a breaker on the beach. The rooster tail is high and close to the stern. The engine is laboring and the ride tends to be less smooth.

Indications of Running Trimmed
The bow spray moves forward and is flung not as far from the boat. The wake diminishes in height, as the rooster tail flattens out and moves away from the boat. The engine is operating under less load as evidenced by the tachometer and speed as well as sounding “less strained”.

One Step at a Time
The key to obtaining optimal results from trim tabs is to operate them in short “bursts” and let the boat react before making another adjustment. The amount of time between corrections is influenced by the size of the trim tabs and the boat’s speed. This will help avoid overtrimming or ending up with one tab too far down when correcting lateral trim. You will quickly become acquainted with a boat’s particular traits.

Take Off
Properly sized trim tabs can significantly reduce the time needed to get up on plane. They also allow a boat to keep its bow down and stay on plane at lower speeds.
As the throttle is advanced the stern of the boat begins to squat, lifting the bow. As the boat accelerates, push the bow down position of the helm control in short bursts. The boat reacts by the stern lifting, the bow coming down, speed increasing, and reduced engine laboring. If you over do it and deflect the tabs too far the boat will end up overtrimmed. When over trimmed, the steering becomes “over sensitive” and wants to pull off course to port or starboard. If this occurs, operate the control “bow up" until the desired attitude is established.

Getting the Most from Power Trim
Adjust the trim tabs to achieve the desired running attitude. Then use the power trim to position the propeller thrust parallel to the water flow. If necessary, re-adjust the trim tabs to fine tune the attitude. By observing the boat’s speed and engine RPMs the best combination of trim tabs and power trim will be apparent. Trim tab angle indicators and a power trim angle indicator are particularly useful in duplicating effective settings.

Trimming to Sea Conditions
When running into a head sea you want to trim the bow down so the sharp forward sections of the boat do their work cleaving the waves. This provides the most comfortable ride and minimizes stress on the boat (and passengers). In a following sea the tabs should be fully retracted for maximum steering response.

Correction of a List
The normal control setup for trim tabs operates in relation to the desired changes in trim and not the actual movement of the tabs. Therefore, do not think about what the tabs are doing, but rather on the control and what you want the boat to do. As above, make the corrections in bursts and allow the boat to settle to the new settings. You may find it easier to correct the boat’s fore and aft attitude before you correct the side to side trim.

Correction of Porpoising
Operate the tabs in very short bursts of about half a second. Continue until porpoising subsides. The objective is to have only a very slight amount of tab deflection, just the amount needed to cure the up and down motion of the bow.

Make your corrections in short bursts, a second at a time is a good place to start, and let the boat settle down between corrections.

One of the best things you can do is experiment with the Trim Tabs, and using them will soon become second nature.

Below you will find an article I wrote for people who may be new to using Trim Tabs. I hope it is helpful.

Please let me know if you have any questions,
Tom McGow

This is fantastic. Tabman thank you for taking the time to post this. I will get right to work.

Thanks all (except islandhopper) for your input.

 

[LetsRock]

I'm going to go with a simple solution!
Press a button and see what happens! Then press two buttons and see what happens! So on and so forth untill you figure out what button does what.
Is that to easy, or am I being a jerk. I don't mean to be a jerk.

Oh, do this when the lake or where ever you boat is not crowded.

I know this might be shocking but this is not helpful at all. Once i hit the elite boaters status that you currently enjoy I will post useless information here as well.

Don't you have better things to do?

 

[islandhopper00]

I know this might be shocking but this is not helpful at all. Once i hit the elite boaters status that you currently enjoy I will post useless information here as well.

Don't you have better things to do?

Jeeze, I even put in there I'm not trying to be a JERK! Sorry for giving you a different perspective. "An easier way."

Elite I am not, just ask around.

 

[sdarc]

WOW!!! There's just no helping some people. Imangine taking the time to go out on our boat and learning what the controls do. What a concept.

And mike you're just a little elitist.:grin:

 

[LetsRock]

WOW!!! There's just no helping some people. Imangine taking the time to go out on our boat and learning what the controls do. What a concept.

And mike you're just a little elitist.:grin:

So what you are saying that it is better to just wing it and hope for the best as opposed to asking experienced people for their guidance on a site made specifically for that and then applying that information to help solve a problem?

So we can basically delete all the information from this site and just post a big note that says "GIVE IT A SHOT".

I will be sure never to ask for guidance on something I need help with before I just "give it a shot" first.

 

[LetsRock]

Jeeze, I even put in there I'm not trying to be a JERK! Sorry for giving you a different perspective. "An easier way."

Elite I am not, just ask around.

And easy way is to randomly press buttons and see what happens instead of gathering helpful information and using that?

I really hope I am not in the minority with this viewpoint or we are all in a lot of trouble.

 

[islandhopper00]

No sir, not for all. I for one can't read all that stuff, and I don't know you. I was giving you an option. Nothing wrong with trial and error if you do it slow.

I could have been a jerk and said, search the thousands of threads here about the subject, but I offered a different solution.

Once again, I appologize for offending you, I didn't mean to attack you.

 

[sdarc]

Im ready to take my beating like a man.

I guess not. Your words not mine.

And learning the controls on the boat is not "winging it". It's learning how to operate the boat. Mike gave a very good and simple answer, push the buttons and see what "your" boat does. Calling him elitist was uncalled for just because you didn't like his answer is somewhat elitist in my opinion.

 

[Lazy Daze]

LetsRock... I believe he was just saying what he said with a little "tongue in cheek". I read it as nothing more than a good-intentioned, humorous post.

I will add, though, that while doing research for better understanding is never a bad thing, there is some merit to "just trying it", as well.

I'll add one more little thing. First, though, re-read "One Step at a time" in Tabman's post.

When my brother bought his first boat with tabs, I met up with him in my boat for his maiden voyage. Beautiful day - no one else on the water. We're running about 30mph, I'm behind him, and I notice his boat lists all the way to port... then all the way to starboard... then all the way to port... you get the idea. After watching for a few minutes and noticing the smile on my face getting larger and larger, I hailed him on the VHF. I simply said "Dave, stop playing with the tab buttons". He said "How'd you know?".

Moral of the story... if you hold the button down until the boat's attitude gets to where you want it... you've held it down too long. Maybe my brother should of done some research..... :smt001

 

[islandhopper00]

WOW!!! There's just no helping some people. Imangine taking the time to go out on our boat and learning what the controls do. What a concept.

And mike you're just a little elitist.:grin:

You roll the dice when you try to help. People will read things the way they want to read it. I must have rubbed him the wrong way.

Hey....I might be looking at this the wrong way. Maybe I am elite now! Hear that Gary, Rick, Frank, Dom, Turtle.......I made it! hahahaha

 

[islandhopper00]

Im ready to take my beating like a man.

I guess not. Your words not mine.

And learning the controls on the boat is not "winging it". It's learning how to operate the boat. Mike gave a very good and simple answer, push the buttons and see what "your" boat does. Calling him elitist was uncalled for just because you didn't like his answer is somewhat elitist in my opinion.

Thank you buddy!

 

[LetsRock]

No sir, not for all. I for one can't read all that stuff, and I don't know you. I was giving you an option. Nothing wrong with trial and error if you do it slow.

I could have been a jerk and said, search the thousands of threads here about the subject, but I offered a different solution.

Once again, I appologize for offending you, I didn't mean to attack you.

I apologize if I misinterpreted your intention but if i wanted to just press buttons (and trust me, I already have tried that approach) i wouldnt have posted this thread.