Trim tabs are two independently adjustable metal plates controlled by a panel at the helm. These tabs can help compensate for engine torque or unequal weight distribution. What do trim tabs do on a boat? They give you the ability to trim the hull and the prop independently and to make lateral adjustments to avoid sideways list. Since the trim tabs can take over trimming the hull, the power trim can focus solely on adjusting the prop. By having the power trim and trim tabs work together, your boat achieves optimum performance and efficiency you can’t get with the power trim alone.
Now you understand what trim tabs do on a boat — but how do they do it? These tabs are mounted on either side of the transom of the boat. They are completely independent of one another — not connected to each other. When you’re focused on adjusting the power trim of the boat, you now have two additional metal plates you can use to do the heavy lifting when it comes to tilting the engine in or out. In this case, you’d have both metal plates tilted about the same angle in or out, to match the power trim of the engine. This alleviates some of the work on the prop and helps you maximize performance.
But what happens when you start to notice the boat leaning? Without trim tabs, there isn’t much you can do besides moving passengers and cargo or adjusting your speed and route. Fortunately, you can adjust each of the trim tabs independently and can easily compensate for a shift in sea conditions, weather, etc., without having to make adjustments in weight distribution or changing your route.
Now you know what trim tabs do on a boat and how they do it, you may be wondering what trim tabs you need. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for trim tabs. The size of the tab you need depends on several factors, including the engine, weight of the boat, length of the boat, weight distribution and type of boat, among other things.
Tips for Using Your Monterey Boat’s Trim
Whether you’re just getting started with learning power trim adjustments, or wondering how to use trim tabs in rough water, we’ve gathered some valuable tips for using your boat’s trim. We’re sure these will come in handy as you begin searching for your boat’s perfect trim — regardless whether you’re boating in a lake or on the ocean. It’s important to remember each boat’s trim is different, so for every boat, factors such as the balance of trim, weight of the boat, sea conditions, speed, etc., are a little different. While these are general tips, it’s important to always operate your boat with caution as you begin discovering your boat’s ideal trim.
- Distribute weight evenly: Before you leave the dock, check to make sure the weight of the boat is distributed evenly, so it sits evenly in the water. Even though you can use power trim and trim tabs to compensate for uneven weight, it’s ideal to begin with distributing weight as evenly as possible.
- Use your power trim and trim tabs as a team: We’ve shared why a boat needs trim tabs — it’s so important, it’s also on our list of tips. Remember to use the power trim to adjust the prop path parallel to the water flow. Use trim tabs to trim the hull of the boat — both up and down and from side to side. When you use the two of them together, each controlling their part of the trimming process, you maximize your boat’s performance.
- Start with trim down: When you’re taking off from displacement speeds, most boats work best with the engine and bow trimmed down — this helps the boat rise quickly onto the plane. However, once your boat is on plane, it’s important to adjust the trim based on the sea conditions.
- Monitor speed, RPMs and propeller as you trim: As you begin to trim up, pay attention to your speed, RPMs and propeller ventilation, as these three are key to knowing when your boat is properly trimmed and running at maximum efficiency. Trimming up will eventually trigger a slight drop in speed, a sharp rise in RPMs and/or propeller ventilation — at this point, you’ve trimmed up too far. Begin trimming down in small increments to reach your maximum speed, consistent RPMs or lack of propeller ventilation, and you’ll strike a balance for proper trim.
- Bow spray, stern wake and rooster tail can help you trim: If you’re steering your boat from a bridge or tower, you have the opportunity to observe some additional characteristics related to spray and wake that can help you find your boat’s ideal trim. If you see more spray toward the stern of the boat and a larger wake, the boat’s trim can be better — unless, of course, you’ve got a boat full of waterskiers and wakeboarders. When your boat is reaching its proper trim, you’ll notice the bow spray is farther forward, the wake is smaller and the rooster tail is also smaller and farther behind your boat.
- Keep trim adjustments small: To find that sweet spot for your boat’s trim, it’s important to make sure you adjust your trim tabs using short, half-second bursts — followed by a pause to let the boat react — before moving on to make another adjustment. How long it takes each boat to respond is different, as the size of your trim tabs and your boat’s speed affect the timing. Be patient.
- Do not over-trim: Make sure you do not over-trim — that is, deflect the trim tabs too far — especially at high speeds. Extreme changes to the angle of the bow on the move, combined with sea conditions, can cause the boat to veer. If you have trim tabs, remember that even though the trim tabs are independently adjustable, you should not move one trim tab significantly further down than the other one, as it may cause the boat to lean suddenly to one side.
- Be aware of trim’s effect on your wake: Trim settings will change the size of your wake. You want to trim down to minimize your wake in a slow or no-wake zone. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a better wake for waterskiing or wakeboarding, trim up while adding speed, and you might see a rooster tail.
- Use your trim as a turning tool: When you enter a turn, begin trimming down — at this point, the more down trim, the more you can accelerate through a turn. When you’re in the sharpest part of the turn, you should have the maximum amount of down trim, based on the turn speed and the turn radius. As the boat slows, add throttle. As you begin straightening the wheel to come out of the turn, begin to trim up.
- Occasionally check your trim tabs: As with any part of a boat, trim tabs can have loose or corroded wires over time. Since they can have such an impact on the trim of your boat, it’s important to inspect them visually to ensure they aren’t in need of repair. Malfunction or failure of trim tabs can be dangerous.
