Boat listing while on plane

M

mechdriver

Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2010
RO Number
32378
Messages
4
I've been told I need to adjust the trim tab to make my boat ride level when planed. If this is so, which way do I turn it? Toward the list or away from it.

Also, why can't I enter some of the sub-forums? I'm posting the above question here because the mechanical sub says I need a password.
 
If it is listing to the port, left tab bow up right tab bow down and to starboard, right tab up, left tab bow down. It should become an automatic response. You have to understand how the tabs work to be able to instintively use the3m. . The right tab raises the right stern which lowers the left bow and vice versa.
 
There's "trim tabs" and then there is the "anti-torque tab" located on the outdrive leg. This tab runs up and down, and twists right to left. It is located on the underside of the anti-cavitation plate, just above the prop.

From your question, "which way do I turn it", it sounds like you are talking about the tab on the outdrive.

You adjust this tab so that at cruising speed your steering is "neutral", vs having to pull to one side to simply go straight.

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If you are talking about the plates mounted at the bottom of the transom on either side of the drive unit(s), then you simply adjust so that you are level...
 
Deep V's tent to lean into moderate to strong crosswinds. You'd adjust away from the list in very brief short bursts.

Do you have Bennett TT's? They have a fantastic item called ATC 3000 (Automatic Tab Control) which, IMHO, is indispensable. Check it out.
 
Are you talking about the zinc near the prop? If so, that should have no bearing on list.
 
What kind of boat? I have a deep v with pretty big tabs (planes) and my left hand is on the wheel and my right hand goes between the tab buttons and the throttles. On a windy day or a busy weekend, I'm constantly adjusting the tabs with short bursts. The easy way to remember how to adjust the lean is if the right (stbd) side is down, push the right tab down. If the right (stbd) side is up or too high, push the right tab up (and/or the left tab down).

I've "steered" the boat home (about 8 miles) when the steering cable broke (the drives were slightly off center), just using the tabs. We were heeled way over and looked pretty goofy, but made good time.
 
Thanks for the responses. Yeah I'm talking about the zinc near the prop. If it has no bearing on list, how do I correct said list? I guess from the responses that I don't have 'trim tabs' per say. BTW this is a 20 foot deep v bow rider.
 
"how do I correct said list?"

Load management. ;) Move the ice chest to the other side...

a 20 fter will be sensitive to weight distribution. This is especially true when on a plane ( and only a small footprint is in the water ). You may need to experiment a bit to get it right.

I weigh, well, a lot, so if I sit off-center to run the boat, I am a large weight that is shifted to the side. So, if I am single-handing the boat, I place the ice chest on the opposite side to balance my weight.
 
How many batteries and are they all on one side? Is this only when you're on plane?
 
OK. Only one battery now but another soon. they are on the opposite side from the fuel tank. I'll have to experiment to see what works best. Thanks.

Now if I could figure out why I'm locked out of some of the sub forums.....
 
quote:
Originally posted by mechdriver

Now if I could figure out why I'm locked out of some of the sub forums.....

Click to expand...


You have to have an anchor to access all the forums. See the anchor at the top of this page
 
"I'm locked out of some of the sub forums..."

Which forums might that be. Maybe you have a problem, maybe not.

ie: no anchor, no NBR, but you should be able to access, for example, the sanitation forum.

Tell us more, get a better answer... :)
 
Re: being locked out of some of the sub-forums; the reason is that you aren't "anchored." You have to be a paid member to gain access to some of the restricted forums. An anchor beneath your screen name indicates that you are a paid-up member, rather than just a guest member (free). Look at the bottom of the page where it mentions supporting this Forum. A full membership is $19.95 per year. If you sign up for 2 years, you save $5.00.
 
When the boat is leaning on plane, if the steering wheel is easier to turn to one side than the other, adjusting the anti-steering-torque anode tab's aft edge toward the direction the top of the wheel prefers to turn may help to some degree. Even on larger boats without a set of adjustable transom trim tabs, careful distribution of weight onboard, including operator & any other POB's , fuel & water tanks, batteries, coolers, bait wells, and all other gear can make a big difference in hull running attitude fore & aft and port to starboard.

As for not being able to post on the "Mechanical How-to Articles (subtitle:)Read-Only forum for past informational articles.", perhaps you missed the "articles" & "read-only" parts of the title?
But it's true, access to read the wealth of really helpful info there ( 3 pages of links to the full articles) or read/post access to one or more of the other forums is available only to those who choose to subscribe and help support the BoaterEd site for all. At the top of this page there is an anchor and a link that says "Help Support This Forum- Join Today!" & as Vic mentioned there is another link at the botoom of the page if you are interested.
But posting your question in this or the Engines,etc., forum is just right. Hope that helps.
 
Thanks again guys for all your help. Hopeful back on the water Saturday and will try some suggestions.
 
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