trim tab indicators ? c-302

[Journey]

Are there no indicator lights for the trim tabs? How are you supposed to know where there at when running. Maybe I am missing something.

 

[KennyMarrs]

Hello,

We've never installed trim tab indicators from the factory. I simply look forward out the window and adjust the tabs as needed for a level ride.

 

[Rocky Lou]

I was advised: Start with the Yamaha engine trim all the way down, you can see this via the Yamaha screen to ensure they are fully down. Ensure trim tabs are all the way up, the trim tab rams will stop running when the tabs are all the way up or all the way down regardless of how long you hold the up/down button. There is no gauge to indicate the position of the trim tabs.

 

[Journey]

I was trying to find a sweet spot for taking off. Half down etc. The 302 is very sluggish out of the hole and takes a long time to plane out. Should I put the tabs all the way down? This seems to put more drag on acceleration. LOVE the boat and top speed is fine, just coming from a 285 pursuit with twin 250s and am not used to the bog out of the hole. If I was willing to sacrifice top end some would a different prop help? I know the factory has what they think is the best balance for PNW area. Down in Florida some of the inlets can get rough and the need to move the boat around quickly is a must sometimes. Thanks in advance.

 

[Rocky Lou]

Journey,
I have also been working on performance and have another thread: http://www.tugnuts.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14756&p=98068#p97535 There are more comments here on how I was recommended to 'take off' (no jokes from Canadians, please).

I'm in the SF Bay Area and will be doing mostly offshore fishing and cruising. I bought the boat so my wife and I would both be happy, naming it Sea Suite 🙂, and we are, or I likely would have bought another Grady White, a 330 Express. I'm disappointed that I can't get close to the Yamaha Outboard specs. that are posted and let Yamaha know my opinions about that.

The C302 performs much differently than my other boats and I have been considering the same things you mention, engine trim, tilt/trim, props, etc.

~Paul

 

[nboyer]

I had the very same reaction when I purchased our R-23 end of last year that there were no indicator lights for the trim tabs. Coming from a center console with an F300, the R-23 is also sluggish out of the hole. You'll get a 'feel' for it after a while. You'll have to experiment. Before I take off, I generally will trim the tabs down for a 2-second count. Depending on weight distribution on your boat, once on plane you can level the boat out but you'll also need to pay attention to speed and rpm's to find the optimum performance. It's a bit of a hassle compared to my last boat, where I knew where to put the trim tabs. I wonder if it's possible to upgrade the switch to one with a light indicator? Cheers. -Norm

 

[Karll]

On our R29 I did a test raising and lowering the trim tabs while on the bunks. Seems like the Port Trim tab takes about 1/2 again as long to deploy. Is this normal?

 

[BB marine]

If I was willing to sacrifice top end some would a different prop help? I know the factory has what they think is the best balance for PNW area. Down in Florida some of the inlets can get rough and the need to move the boat around quickly is a must sometimes. Thanks in advance.

I don't own a C302 and I have not Piloted one. I am familiar with the boat design and have talked to owners of C302'S. The WOT seems to be right at the 5500 to 5600 rpm range (factory set up). Basically in the middle of recommended rpm range. I would believe that Fluid Motion did their home work in propping that boat for optimal performance. Looks good on the charts. The issue with that sometimes is when the boat owner gets some equipment onboard the "hole shot" gets a bit sluggish. Top end seems to maintain but the ability for the boat to respond to throttle in the low end " hole shot" suffers. The recommended rpm for the 300 HP is 5000 to 6000 rpm. When I select a prop I always shoot for a prop that will loads the engine to turn Max recommended rpm. When powering a heavy boat that is also stern heavy this is more important. Honestly who cares what the top speed of a 30' boat is? I would give up 1kt at top end to get better handling at low or midrange. Many times this is not the case. Dropping prop pitch to allow the engine to turn 6000 rpm doesn't effect WOT speed it slightly increases speed and also makes a difference in low end and Hole shot. A good prop shop can advise. A good servicing boat dealer should have a section of props to try. If you plan on keeping the boat its worth while experimenting. Every boat that come out of a mold is different, every boat is loaded differently. Stating one size fits all when it come to propping a boat is not always true.

Trim angles of the motor and trim tabs are important too for getting the boat on top of the water quickly. With the engines offset as much as they are on the C-302 there is a lot of stern weight. Having the engines fully tucked (down all the way) and trim tabs fully extended, when the boat is digging a wake hole these positions are essential to increasing the timing of the "hole shot". Once the boat climbs out of the hole I first will start trimming the motor so it starts to lift the hull. Once I'm at a comfortable speed I start bringing the tabs up until the ride is comfortable. Now you can just adjust the engine rpm for final cruising speed adjustments. Its a matter of getting use to the boat. Every hull design handles differently.

 

[Journey]

Thanks for the comments , all are welcome . As I say in Florida some of these inlets are like a washing machine and dangerous. Top end means nothing . Nothing worse than an under powered boat, I hope I don't have one. I bought the boat in WA. and drove from Florida to get it and trailer home. I supposed a sea trial would have reviled this, I saw the 300s and knew it would not be a rocket, but thought it would be better, my bad.

 

[Journey]

As a follow up just wanted to say other than the power I love the boat.

 

[Rocky Lou]

I liked the comment

Top end means nothing

, good reminder as it make me think about, 'I don't care who drives the ball farther' or '0-60 is means nothing'. Unfortunately, my right side brain overrides logic at times. I'll post if I see any favorable results from prop changes or other steps.