HOC member login

Message Board

Message board > Engines > Regatta 19 Trim

Message 4 of 4
Posted by member Henry Davies on Wednesday 29 March 2017

Hi Simon Thank you very much for your description on the use of trim tabs and engine trim. I went out yesterday and found that the boat did exactly as you described and would plane at around 9-10kts with everything down and as you added more power you just need to lift the engine and trim tabs accordingly.

Add your comment

Message 3 of 4
Posted by member Simon Kidd on Monday 27 March 2017

Henry. A quick, short guide: Use tabs to help get the stern up and get her planing when heavy or with a dirty bottom. Given the 70hp on the Regatta - that shouldn't really pose you a problem. The next case is in rough / lumpy seas. If in a head sea, trim down (i.e. stern up / bow down) to smooth the ride if too bouncy. Trim the stern down / bow up if in a following sea to help prevent burying the bow. You'll notice - the Trim tabs give you the ability to lift the stern / lower the bow, and the engine power trim gives you more of the opposite. Your boats handling, and thus the use of trim will change depending on the weather conditions, load, amount of fuel and water aboard etc. The tabs will be ideal for levelling the vessel if unbalanced. If going ten to the dozen, don't apply too much trim (if flat out, it's doubtful you'll need any trim tabs out, otherwise the bow can dig in and "track" - this is not especially pleasant) Tabs are a very useful tool to have and make life that much easier if heavily loaded or fouled up. I used to have them on my Navigator and were the difference between planing and not planing when loaded with cruising kit and the heavy four stroke outboard on the stern - especially with the Navigators narrow transom. My Hardy 25 seems very happy without tabs - but I run twin outboards mounted with a few degrees extra "tuck under" to help push her up on the plan - I use the twin outboard power trims like tabs to balance the boat - a nice benefit of twins. Cheers Si.

Add your comment | ^Top

Message 2 of 4
Posted by member Edward Cartner on Sunday 26 March 2017

For me, this was an interesting 'post'. After 50-plus years of sailing boats I converted to motor boats a couple of years ago and now run a Bosun 20 powered by a Yamaha 80. She has no trim tabs, but the whole engine can be trimmed while driving. I read all the books, and watched many online video clips, but it was ages before I attempted any high-speed. Eventually, our resident engineer said, 'forget about trim buttons, leave the engine vertical/upright, give it some wellie, and she'll plane. So we did, and she does, two-up at around 4000/4500rpm/17-20 kts in good flat conditions. Mind you, we don't do it very often and, as an ex-sailing couple, we're happy at 7/8kts and reasonable fuel economy.

Add your comment | ^Top

Message 1 of 4
Posted by member Henry Davies on Sunday 26 March 2017

I currently own a Regatta 19 with a Suzuki 70hp Four Stroke and QL Trim Tabs. The boat runs well at 15-17Kts at around 5000RPM with tabs up or down. Does anyone have much experience with what trim should be used and in what situation?

Add your comment | ^Top

You must be logged in to post to the Hardy Motor Boat Owners Club message board. Click here to login in. If you’re not yet a HOC member then why not join us today?