Trimtabs - Magic Bill will be happy

luckydude

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Jun 5, 2020
Messages
1,321
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Age
63
Location
Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
Website
mcvoy.com
Model
Seafarer
Super flat pacific today, we called it Lake Pacific. Some minor swell on the way home, 27mph was fine, 32mph was not, launched the boat.
Decided that conditions were safe enough that I could try some trim tabs in addition to having my 250 trimmed all forward.

Magic Bill, you are right. It did make the ride better. I didn't go back and forth to see how much better but the bow stayed down more, we launched less.
I'll keep playing and I listened to you, you won't read about me in the paper, I won't use both engine and tabs in big swells close together, that's asking for a bow stuff. Though, truth be told, I'm less scared of bow stuffs than I used to be. I've watched a ton of them at the Miami Haulover Inlet (type that into youtube, it's fascinating) and so long as you don't lose power to your engine, it is usually not a big deal, you keep going the scuppers and/or bilge pump dumps it out, mostly fine. Still don't want to stuff the bow.
 
Super flat pacific today, we called it Lake Pacific. Some minor swell on the way home, 27mph was fine, 32mph was not, launched the boat.
Decided that conditions were safe enough that I could try some trim tabs in addition to having my 250 trimmed all forward.

Magic Bill, you are right. It did make the ride better. I didn't go back and forth to see how much better but the bow stayed down more, we launched less.
I'll keep playing and I listened to you, you won't read about me in the paper, I won't use both engine and tabs in big swells close together, that's asking for a bow stuff. Though, truth be told, I'm less scared of bow stuffs than I used to be. I've watched a ton of them at the Miami Haulover Inlet (type that into youtube, it's fascinating) and so long as you don't lose power to your engine, it is usually not a big deal, you keep going the scuppers and/or bilge pump dumps it out, mostly fine. Still don't want to stuff the bow.
Tomorrow we are going to cut the shrink wrap off our brand new 228 at the dealership. It will be the official unveiling. One of my anxieties is the bracket and trim tabs which neither I've ever had. I've read your posts and others about the following seas. I'm sure like anything else, I'll get used to it.
 
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I'm the Pacific on the other side of the planet with 2013 model 228, same as the one you are getting.
I use the engine leg to trim in or up depending on conditions, as for the trim tabs i use them to balance the boat port to starboard but I always make sure that weight is evenly distributed so the boat is not listing when stationary.
I trim in on head seas for more comfortable ride but always trim up on following sea on the way back to port.
I have been out on some nasty seas when fishing comps I just slow down, takes twice as long but that's life.
 
I'm the Pacific on the other side of the planet with 2013 model 228, same as the one you are getting.
I use the engine leg to trim in or up depending on conditions, as for the trim tabs i use them to balance the boat port to starboard but I always make sure that weight is evenly distributed so the boat is not listing when stationary.
I trim in on head seas for more comfortable ride but always trim up on following sea on the way back to port.
I have been out on some nasty seas when fishing comps I just slow down, takes twice as long but that's life.
Thanks for the response. Reading that the bracket could "feel" a little different in following seas. Something to get use to.
 
Congrats on the new ride Alweidner!!

Don't freak out and sweat it!! In time, it will become second nature on how the boat handles. The more time you spend behind the helm in different conditions, will be your friend. Soon, you will just feel what your boat is doing and adjust accordingly. The 228 is a big, little boat compared to the Marlin.
 
Tomorrow we are going to cut the shrink wrap off our brand new 228 at the dealership. It will be the official unveiling. One of my anxieties is the bracket and trim tabs which neither I've ever had. I've read your posts and others about the following seas. I'm sure like anything else, I'll get used to it.
Need pics!!!! Cool to be able to do that.
 
Congrats on the new ride Alweidner!!

Don't freak out and sweat it!! In time, it will become second nature on how the boat handles. The more time you spend behind the helm in different conditions, will be your friend. Soon, you will just feel what your boat is doing and adjust accordingly. The 228 is a big, little boat compared to the Marlin.
Thanks Ky
 
Hey Lucky;

Good for you! Glad to see your utilizing the “tools of the trade.”

KY Grady has it right...the more helm time, the better overall understanding you’ll have of your vessel.

Trouble is, I can’t razz you regarding tab usage anymore. Seriously, I’m glad you’re enjoying the boat.

RE: Skeg trailer mishap:
If anything feels or seems weird regarding trim, performance underway, or you hear bad noises, have your dealer or a sharp Yamaha tech examine it. It could just be a beat up skeg and nothing more.

RE: Marlin perf numbers with 300’s:

Assuming no bottom paint, and everything else is properly operational, figure 1.3-1.4 MPG with1.5 in calm conditions with light loads.
350’s are a much better match for the Marlin hull, but you won’t find many due to the earlier models tainted reputation.
You can horse that thing around on a trailer with your diesel...the problem will be launching/loading in wind unless your rockstar son can be there. (I still say that kid could be famous...)

You will also have to become familiar with close-quarter twin engine operation...cranking the wheel on that Beast doesn’t work like your Seafarer near the dock.

Apologies for going off-subject here; It seemed easier to just answer everything in one shot.

Thanks for the shout-out and glad your still rockin’ the Pacific.
 
My 228 is the first boat I’ve had with trim tabs. I played around with the tabs for a while for bow up and down but went back to using the motor and using the tabs to counter any lean due to cross wind etc.