Trim gauges:an ignorant question

[Adam and Hayley]

I wonder if you all feel that a trim gauge is actually necessary on a rib?

I would say that I never use mine- On the plane I listen to or watch the revs, wiggle the trim up or down and see if the revs increase (i.e less resistance so better planing?)


..and looking at it it certainly does not appear to represent the horizontal


So, I wonder, should just remove it and put something more useful in its place?

[paulbrown22]

I think it can be a useful reference for people who maybe aren't as experienced and can't "feel" what you described as easily, or for people not as familiar with your specific boat if other's drive it, as some need more trim than others to have the same effect.

But personally, like you, I don't tend to look at them, and drive by the feel of the boat.

I did fit new trim senders to my stern drive a couple of years ago when I had it all apart, but still haven't actually bothered to wire them up to the dash gauge!

[Last Tango]

Handy for launch/recovery. You know where the engine won't hit the ground.

[lakelandterrier]

I think it's a useful reference, as the other LT says useful in shallow water / launching etc, also I find in head / following sea a sense check on feel.
I have digital gauges so can chose displays...much better than analogue.

[Jabamusic]

My gauge hasn’t Worked for the past year. Don’t really miss it, but do wonder why the stopped?

[paulbrown22]

Jabamusic - presumably one or more issues with the gauge itself, the sensor in the hydraulic/leg unit, or the wiring between the two. I've certainly had the sensor on my previous Yam 115 4-stroke stop working and need replacing.

[boristhebold]

probably like others have mentioned a trim readout is good just for reference or for those who don't have alot of experience or who have not driven yer boat before. I probably only glance at mine infrequently as I can tell pretty much how the engine is tilted by the feel of the hull going through water, most often only used a few adjustements, once on the plane in calm conditions and then adjusted more depending upon sea state and direction of tide if going over or with waves, nice to have though.

[JamesF]

My gauge hasn’t Worked for the past year. Don’t really miss it, but do wonder why the stopped

I have a suspicion that trim gauges are cleverly designed so that you can spend idle moments staring at them and wondering why they stopped working.