Trim tabs or engine trim?

[kennyh]

I don't disagree that certain boats may have had the tabs installed the "wrong" way.

I've used tabs on a number of boats, and fitted tabs on one boat also.

On my current "stock" install of Volvo tabs, the port button lowers the starboard tab.

And the following from Bennetts (one of the leading Trim Tab manufacturer) says in their User Manual:

"CorreCTinG For a lisT
Bennett Trim Tabs may be operated individually so that you can correct for listing. Your control is designed so that you can use it “intuitively.” Do not think about what the trim tabs are doing, just concentrate on the bow. If the port bow is high, push the port side “Bow Down” direction. If the starboard bow is high, push the starboard side “Bow Down” direction. Press the control in half-second bursts to avoid over-trimming, allowing time between corrections for the boat to react."

On the Bennetts tabs, pressing Port Down button lowers Starboard tab.

But clearly, from the comments on this thread, not all boats/setups are the same.

 

[MapisM]

I don't disagree that certain boats may have had the tabs installed the "wrong" way.

LOL, I bet you don't. I was just reporting a fact, rather than an opinion!

And fwiw, I find that Bennett statement almost offending.
I mean, I'd rather call what they suggest an attempt to make the controls fool proof, rather than more intuitive.
And my approach towards anyone who sells fool proof stuff is that they might as well keep looking for fool customers...
But THIS is of course just IMHO...

 

[AllanG]

On the Bennetts tabs, pressing Port Down button lowers Starboard tab.

This certainly wasn't the case on my Nimbus 320C, which had the Bennett tabs factory fitted.

 

[kennyh]

Likewise , I had Bennett tabs factory fitted on 2 boats - and they operated as per the Bennetts manual.

Looks like some builders just ignore the manufacturers recommendation and wire the buttons their preferred way.

And MapisM, I likewise was reporting a fact (taken from the Bennetts user manual). I'd also expect some Bennetts customers would find your comments "almost offending" with your implication and sweeping statement that they are fools. But that's just MHO.

 

[MapisM]

C'mon, you know that's not what I was implying.
At Bennett they say it's more intuitive to push the port button down to lower the stbd tab.
I said that rather looks like an attempt to make a more fool proof control (in fact, I didn't say it IS really more fool proof).

Anyway, so what? That neither means it's REALLY more intuitive, nor that the BOATERS are fools.
It simply means that Bennett selling arguments are pathetic: "your control is designed so that you can use it intuitively...".
What do they mean exactly, that they had an engineering team working for months to DESIGN a feature like that, when all they actually did is to reverse the labels on a couple of SPCO switches?!?

Btw, it's not incidental that, in spite of the popularity of Bennett tabs, they are NEVER used in boats where trim tabs are mission critical, i.e. fast sportboats and catamarans - not to mention racing boats. And in all these installations, bar none, the switches are wired in the "wrong" way....!

 

[Danfarry]

Just a quick update. Went out from Conwy today. Beautiful day, pretty flat and had a good mess around. Figured out the engine trim, did have it too low. Used the trim tabs to level us out and she rode beautifully.

Had a cracking day, more importantly the family had a great time. Thirty knots past puffin island was brilliant!

Off to post in the wake thread now!

 

[Dill et Bound]

Glad you got it sorted..
Simples..

Trim tabs can sometimes work against you..

Enjoy..