Trim & Tab 265 Ex

[Dieler]

So, first day out in the new to me rig (265 Express). I did some research on handling and saw posts related to slow speed difficulty in vessels reaction time to input. Honestly at slow speed it felt no different to me than any other boat I have driven. However, ran her up to 3K RPM for a bit and noticed a bit of diving to the side, did have small unbalanced factor but very minimal (like 50-60 lbs more to port on boat). Used the tabs to correct, overcorrected a few times, finally got it feeling straight and steady - until some wakes came by. In crossing they felt a bit destabilizing. Anyone else have this issue? Operator error or some other potential cause?

 

[Bill_N]

265's are very sensitive to tab adjustment. Use them to correct lean or in a head sea and just hit the rocker for a second or so when you make an adjustment or you'll overcompensate.

You don't need tab to get on plane. Trim your engines down within a couple bars and when she starts coming on plane trim them up to 4-6 bars until it feels right. You can do a lot with engine trim to adjust running angle

 

[Dieler]

Yeah, reset the tabs to a nuetral position after slowing speed and then played with trim instead a bit. Was better but still moments of off kilter travel. Will have to play around and get used to the controls a bit more. Have heard these are sensitive machines...Thanks

 

[Enough Already]

Sensitive yes but very predictable once you get to know them. (that sentence by itself sounds kind of strange . . . ) I try to get everything balanced on the boat so that no tabs are required at slow speed. Check water tank level and other gear storage. Most trips, I don't even use the tabs - you can do most everything you need with motor trim if you have her balanced out right.

 

[Dieler]

Thanks for the input. Water tank was about half full at time. Had no issues at slow speed, when run up above 3K RPM it started leaning a bit. Think I overcompensated on the tabs and I definitely did not play with the trim first. My last boat was not quite so sensitive to the adjustments, so will just have to learn the ropes on this one..

 

[Salinity Now]

265's are very sensitive to tab adjustment. Use them to correct lean or in a head sea and just hit the rocker for a second or so when you make an adjustment or you'll overcompensate.

You don't need tab to get on plane. Trim your engines down within a couple bars and when she starts coming on plane trim them up to 4-6 bars until it feels right. You can do a lot with engine trim to adjust running angle

Bill you say 4-6 bars on the yamaha trim gauge? I recently just replaced my trim sending units (stuck and corroded) the new ones I got adjusted to exact tolerances, meaning as soon as you trim from bottom it starts to show bars, be best I can get before my bow starts bouncing is 3 (maybe 4 if flat) bars. I run the boat at the mouth of the Ches Bay where it is ALWAYS choppy, so havent really had any long ocean swell run time, but as said, my bow starts bouncing (while using no tabs) with over 3 bars of trim.

Only other variable I can think of is I have a very empty main fuel tank, been running mostly off the aux tank and putting fuel in there, could be a weight issue, but thought Id ask for clarifacation.

LOVE this hull......except for the engines, port motor is back in the shop.......ARGHHHH!!!!

 

[Bill_N]

SN, Your indicators are probably adjusted different than mine but I run one engine off each tank which would put more weight forward. Most guys here run off the main (front) tank.

 

[Dieler]

Thanks for the input. Left the tabs alone last 2 days running and simply played with trim switch to level her out. Ran all RPM ranges and no unusual leaning or listing. In fact, boat runs better than any hull I have owned through 2-4 chop - very smooth.