Trim tab fluid

planesailing

Ive doubted weather my trim tabs have been working properly since purchasing my 242 a few months ago. I was down the boat today and had a good look at it and it appears the bracket holding the trim and tab reservoir to the bulk head (inside the engine bay) has snapped and as a result the fluid has drained from the tank resulting in the tabs not moving. I've managed to fix the bracket back on but am not sure what fluid to put in and what quantity. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

howardrams

When I had a similar 235 Rinker it used Dextron 2 automatic transmission fluid in the trim tabs which was red in color.  The reservoir should be full up to the line when the tabs cylinders are both in the retracted position.  The level goes down as the trim tab cylinders extend so fill when they're retracted.

planesailing

Thank you. By retracted do you mean bow fully down?

Lifes Good

Drawn back in. Bow up. Normal position.

rasbury

I did not know my trim tabs had a reservoir, where the heck is that? Can a person really keep up with all this? Geesh!

Michael T

Ras, I don't think your trim tabs have a fluid cylinder? I thought hydraulic trim tabs were really old technology and they're electric on smaller craft (under 50') now? Could the discussion be referring to the reservoirs for your trim cylinders for your drives?

planesailing

My 242 definitely has a trim tab reservoir. It's mounted to the rear wall in the engine bay and is slightly offset to port side. It's a red and white tank. They appear to be electrically operated but hydrhaulicaly assisted.

aero3113

You have the Insta-Trim system installed, same as in my 242.

http://www.insta-trim.com

planesailing

Yes that's the system I'm using aero. Do you tend to start off with your tabs trimmed all the way bow up then trim down once on plane or the other way around. Also how much do you trim your drive up once on plane?

aero3113

Trim them the other way. Put the drive full down and the tabs full down before you take off, once your up on plane bring the tabs back up then trim the drive up till the bow starts to bounce then back down slightly till the bouncing stops. This should bring you to where you need to be.

planesailing

Do you bring the tabs fully up when on plane?

howardrams

I find it useful to use the trim tabs a little in the bow down position if I want to be able to stay on plane at a lower speed, like say 20-25 mph, for towing kids on tubes or skiing.  Also, as someone mentioned the newer boats have electric actuators rather than hydraulic cylinders for the trim tabs.

aero3113

I do bring them full up but if the water is rough I will bring them down a little to help keep the bow down.