www.iFourWinns.com

This is the first boat I've had with trim tabs. Finally got her on the water yesterday. Unbelievably the lake wasn't crowded so I had some room to play. Should I reset the tabs every time we stop or leave them alone. I am wondering if I have a tab leaking off, because we would be cruising and it would seem like the boat would just lean a little running straight. No weight change or dramatic wind. I could adjust a tab and fix it but should I be tinkering with the tabs the whole time I am driving. I did learn that they are fairly sensitive and once u adjust u need to give it a second to catch up. Any tips on the tabs would be appreciated


Thanks
Rick

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr

I had the auto-retract device added to my Bennett trim tabs which means they go up every time the ignition is turned off. If the boat is to be trailered or lifted by forks for a stacker, then the auto- retract can save a lot of damage. If you leave them down and go astern, that could also damage them.

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John
2006 Four Winns Vista 278 (sold)

I am constantly adjusting my trim tabs. Boat rides different with number of people, amount of fuel, water tank full or not, wind, water conditions, RPMs, etc. when you get comfortable with them, you can make course corrections with them.

Long story short, I constantly make adjustments.

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

I'm constantly adjusting them too, especially if we have extra passengers on board. If it's just the wife and me I start with them down then once on cruise pull them up. Adjust as needed to compensate for wind or fuel and water load. You're right there's a bit of a lag but you get used to it and can tweak them pretty easily. I just tap them a bit and see what that gives me before hitting them again.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

It is not uncommon for the torque of the motor to cause the boat to list on cruise, so using one tab to counter that will level you off. I always retract them when I come off plane, mainly so I don't get any growth on the portion that slides in and out of the actuator, while the boat sits in the slip.

After reading Bennett's page I may have had to much trim and caused " bow steer". When I brought the boat home though and retracted them I had a little water come out of the one side. Does that indicate a leak? I'm going to call them tomorrow.

Rick

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr

Not sure what you mean by water coming out, but I would say, if they are working, you are probably ok. I deploy them fully upon initial takeoff and then fully retract one side and bring the other one back most of the way (to counter torque) once I am on plane. That's the most efficient way to run the boat. Trim the outdrive up a little as well and you'll see even more of the boat come out of the water. The only time I put the tabs further down is if I want to stay on plane at a lower than normal cruise speed or if I am in some slop. Introducing more tabs in slop will change the hull's entry angle into the waves and give a better ride, although the motor will work harder and you'll burn more fuel. I usually only do this for short periods of time through particularly bad areas.

I had left them partially down when I pulled the boat out and had driven home and put it in the garage. After reading a little I went out to play with them and see what I could learn. When I raised them both up all the way, a little bit of water squirted out of one of the cylinders I guess. I was up at controls and heard water so I went back to look and there was a small puddle under one tab.

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr