Do you need a trim gauge?

thomas · 17 July 2012, 10:25

I'm fitting a new console with a Smartcraft gauge which means to use my trim gauge I either need to buy a new sender and gauge or run a single wire from my old sender to the console and use the old gauge.

Once you know your boat do you tend to go by how it feels and trim accordingly or get on the plane and set the trim by the gauge to where you always put it.

I guess I'm being a little lazy and want to keep my console as tidy as I can.

Carl · 17 July 2012, 10:28

i dont think you do

Channel Ribs · 17 July 2012, 10:57

Absolutely not, it is too easy to become obsessed with trimming the engine so the gauge reads what you think is right. Trimming by feel for best ride comfort and safety does not require a dial.

steco1958 · 17 July 2012, 10:59

The trim gauge is just an easy indication, you do not need one, you can tell by the noise of the engine and the feel.

I have a gauge on console, however I don't always use it.

Steve

Jizm · 17 July 2012, 11:02

Trim gauge on a smaller boat is maybe a bit more relevant when you have an out drive you can't readily see.

mitchc · 17 July 2012, 11:31

I turned the trim pop up off on my smartcraft gauges. When I moved the engine to suit the conditions it "popped" up on the tachometer and made me look what had changed (it normally displays engine temp) distracting me from the job in hand!
Definitely don't need it with an outboard as what worked one day probably won't be ok the next and a visual check over the shoulder is probably more effective. Maybe useful with an out drive but again no two days/trips are alike. With a little experience and training/advice you can feel where the engine should be.

Just my thoughts.....

mitchc · 17 July 2012, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomas

I'm fitting a new console with a Smartcraft gauge which means to use my trim gauge I either need to buy a new sender and gauge or run a single wire from my old sender to the console and use the old gauge.

Thomas,
Be happy to be proved wrong, bit i think if you've got a smart craft engine, the trim signal comes through the can bus wiring to the dials so no need for extra wiring...

thomas · 17 July 2012, 11:50

You can display the trim on the main gauge but need a digital sender plus I'd rather display fuel info than trim.

Thanks for the replies, exactly what I wanted to hear, am probably going to bin the fuel gauge too as the needle bounces about like it should be on a mixing desk.

Jizm · 17 July 2012, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomas

You can display the trim on the main gauge but need a digital sender plus I'd rather display fuel info than trim.

Thanks for the replies, exactly what I wanted to hear, am probably going to bin the fuel gauge too as the needle bounces about like it should be on a mixing desk.

Mercury do gauges that plug into the Smartcraft stuff such as fuel and trim. May be worth looking at.

John Kennett · 17 July 2012, 13:43

I think that a trim gauge is useful as I like to see how different amounts of trim affect the ride. Unfortunately, in my experience they generally only work for about two weeks then just take up console space!

willk · 17 July 2012, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Unfortunately, in my experience they generally only work for about two weeks then just take up console space!

That's caused by the saw. It's a little known fact, but if you use a saw to fit instruments or electronics to a GRP surface, it drastically lowers the lifespan of the kit. There is another side effect which I haven't had time to research (google) properly, that is that the replacement equipment will almost, but not quite, fill the existing hole...

uncle al · 17 July 2012, 17:05

with smartcraft gauges you have to bevery carefull if you mix smartcraft with anologue instruments both systems MUST be kept SEPERATE,
smartcraft is a ref voltage of between 4.9 to 5.1 volts
analogue gauges voltage 12V

starnetman2001 · 18 July 2012, 01:32

I don't have a trim gauge. Usually I just glance at the block. Not hard to spot really and trim out to the best possible speed for my RPM. Is this wrong?

Hmmm, RPM gauge hasn't worked for 2 years either....

ssobol · 18 July 2012, 03:35

I have the Yamaha gauges which include a trim indicator. The sender tab broke, so I dutifully replaced it. Barely looked at it since. Can't seem to remember that it is actually there. I adjust the trim based on the feel of the boat in the water.

There are so many variables that affect the trim (loading, speed, water conditions) that remembering the trim settings on the gauge for all the combinations would be more than my little brain could handle.

For the most part my boat seems to ride best with the trim all the way down anyway. Depending on the loading I can get maybe another (1) mph out of it by playing with the trim. but putting it up too much just causes the bow to porpoise and makes getting out of the hole too hard.

I usually just put in down trim till the motor stops. About the only time I trim up is if I am in shallow water.

stul · 18 July 2012, 06:05

Noted what JK said they don’t work for long, well mine is not working but I would like it too.
I can understand what people are saying about not needing them, well sometimes when you are in shallow water nice to have an accurate reading,
Well mine does not do that any more tend to think the problem is at the sender end, (power off gauge drops)
My engine is a 75hp, Mariner (not smart craft)anyone know where the switch is located some ware nasty down the back probably and what type of a job to check or change
Advice please
Stuart

uncle al · 18 July 2012, 07:26

stul if you look at the top of your ptt you will see it is connected to the top pin of your ptt, beware the trim sender is handed ie port/stb for your obm

9D280 · 18 July 2012, 12:21

I've never had a working one (a gauge) but as discussed tend to trim on the feel of the boat & a glance sternward.

Only reason it was fitted in the first place was I got a good deal on it + a matching voltmeter, and reckoned it would make the console look more symetrical, especially when I found out....

....I may end up using it to show coolant pressure, as the research I've been doing so far implies that the variable resistive pressure senders seem to have much the same resistance range as the trim senders....

freyaflys · 19 July 2012, 00:54

re ssobol remarks and trim down, have spent last few days in light chop off Mull. A lot of porpoising greatly reduced by trimming right down as opposed to level trim, with no loss of speed and much happier passengers. My question is when is trim up ( above horizontal) useful ? Trim gauge may now be useful. Yes I know its useful to avoid shallow obstacles but when else?

Channel Ribs · 19 July 2012, 06:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by freyaflys

A lot of porpoising greatly reduced by trimming right down as opposed to level trim, with no loss of speed and much happier passengers. My question is when is trim up ( above horizontal) useful ?

It is good practice to start off with the engine trimmed fully down before accelerating onto the plane, as you have noted this is the most "planted" setup for the boat. Trimming up with change the feel of the boat, so ignore the gauge telling you where level is.

It will vary with the loading on the day and obviously with the conditions, but an example of trimming out might be on a flat calm day with only one up and no extra weight. You will find the boat skimming perhaps, but be warned it may try and take off.

clydeoutboards · 19 July 2012, 07:51

Quote:

Trim gauge may now be useful. Yes I know its useful to avoid shallow obstacles but when else?

this alone would be enough for me but we also take newbies out a lot and some get trimming straight away by feel and sound where as others simply don't have a clue and the gauge is a good starting point.

Dave