I have a 98 '' Chase '' w / twin 225's having hard time getting it on plane.... the trim tabs seem to be working but there's no way to tell how '' deployed'' they are.. there's no gauge or anything... and to be honest i'm not sure which way to push the rocker switch to engage them.. the top of the switch says ' bow down'' so i assume pushing the switch that way engages the trim tabs.. but they seem to work better the other way. Any thoughts on getting on plane.. that bow reallllly pops up when you accelerate.. i am able to trim the engines down a bit more that helps...??? thx
Trim tabs
- Thread starter Pzapato
- Start date
JJF
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2021
- Messages
- 453
- Reaction score
- 136
- Points
- 43
- Location
- Gloucester, MA
- Model
- Canyon 306
Hi,
On the trailer or at the dock, I would suggest having someone watch the tabs as you raise/lower the tabs, so you can know for certain which way the switch operates them.
Once you know, then you want the tabs fully retracted (all the way up) when you are trying to get on plane. Ditto for engine trim.
Once you are on plane, you should begin the trim the motor up (some say out).
You should use your tabs to level the boat from side to side, such the the boat is level across the beam. If the boat is bouncing around too much (porpoising) then, you add more trim from the tabs to push the bow down.
If you want to get really fancy, you can investigate upgrading the switch to one with LEDs showing the position of the tabs. (yeah, I just love spending other people's money)
On the trailer or at the dock, I would suggest having someone watch the tabs as you raise/lower the tabs, so you can know for certain which way the switch operates them.
Once you know, then you want the tabs fully retracted (all the way up) when you are trying to get on plane. Ditto for engine trim.
Once you are on plane, you should begin the trim the motor up (some say out).
You should use your tabs to level the boat from side to side, such the the boat is level across the beam. If the boat is bouncing around too much (porpoising) then, you add more trim from the tabs to push the bow down.
If you want to get really fancy, you can investigate upgrading the switch to one with LEDs showing the position of the tabs. (yeah, I just love spending other people's money)
Just go physically look at the tabs, then operate the switch, look again, etc. Don't overthink this one 
Yes, "bow down" on the tab switch means the tabs will deploy (drop down). Tabs down = bow down. But just think of what you want to the bow to do.
To get on plane fast, deploy the tabs fully and also trim the engines down fully. It sounds like you're not trimming the engines down all the way. Once you get on plane, you can adjust according to speed, load, water conditions.
BUT... I think you need some more practice operating the boat and you might be new to trimming both the engines and tabs? It seems that way, anyways. For now, forget about the tabs - retract them all the way. Just go practice using just the engines. Once you're comfortable with that, then start playing with the tabs.
Yes, "bow down" on the tab switch means the tabs will deploy (drop down). Tabs down = bow down. But just think of what you want to the bow to do.
To get on plane fast, deploy the tabs fully and also trim the engines down fully. It sounds like you're not trimming the engines down all the way. Once you get on plane, you can adjust according to speed, load, water conditions.
BUT... I think you need some more practice operating the boat and you might be new to trimming both the engines and tabs? It seems that way, anyways. For now, forget about the tabs - retract them all the way. Just go practice using just the engines. Once you're comfortable with that, then start playing with the tabs.
To start, retract the tabs completely.To do so, press both BOW UP (bottom) switches.You should be able to hear the trim tab pump noise change when the tab is fully retracted)
Now experiment with the motor trim to see what angle works the best. So for now, don't use the trim tabs, just the motor angle adjustment.
Later on you can play with the trim tabs.Note that the right switch controls the left trim tab and the left switch controls the right tab. There are good tutorials on the internet on using your trim tabs.
As a side note, just replacing the switch with a switch with indicator lights is not a total solution since you need the sensors on the tab cylinders them selves to send the signal to the display.
After some time experimenting, you will get a feel for what are good settings and those will change for different seas, weather and loads.
Now experiment with the motor trim to see what angle works the best. So for now, don't use the trim tabs, just the motor angle adjustment.
Later on you can play with the trim tabs.Note that the right switch controls the left trim tab and the left switch controls the right tab. There are good tutorials on the internet on using your trim tabs.
As a side note, just replacing the switch with a switch with indicator lights is not a total solution since you need the sensors on the tab cylinders them selves to send the signal to the display.
After some time experimenting, you will get a feel for what are good settings and those will change for different seas, weather and loads.