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New 253 CM owner Trim Tab Advise

N

NorcalLmo

New member
Hey Gang! Just picked up a 1998 253 CM and need advise on best dimensions to place trim tabs. I have 280 K planes, but like the Lenco Heavy Duty tabs LESS holes in the transom.
Age old argument but thought you guys would have the best insight. Hull has been blue printed, will be installing Merc HP 500 EFI and Stock Bravo 1 drive 1:50 gears spinning a 26 Bravo 4 blade. I also have hydrolic helm, Imco dual ram setup from another boat and would appreciate feedback on installing these as well. Pics and measurements would be GREATLY appreciated! Really excited to get this on the water!!
 
What's on there currently the 280's or something else? Not sure what's on mine off the top of the head but I have a similar setup and would love 280's.
 
can't help on tabs, mine had the dual cylinder lencos, installing the Hyd steering helm unit is a real pain and requires a special length steering column to work correctly, went thru all of that. not positive but I think mine had a 1.36 bravo, ran a 500HP w/M3 procharger..750hp spinning a 28 bravo1 @5600 84 mph, so not sure on the 1.50, is this Mike's boat ?
 
update

Yup - I did buy Mike's boat! Any insights?? It already has the updated hydraulic tilt helm, no trim tabs installed at this time - it did have Dana 1000's, but I have 280 K-planes and a set of HD Lencos - (*I don't really want to do the K-planes as there's just too many holes going thru the transom VS the Lenco's)

I have Imco dual ram steering with Bravo wing-plate and would really like a 'sanitary' rigging with performance first.
:thumb:
Any pics would really help - Thanks!
 
All my trim tabs have been mounted 1/2" above the bottom and feel the kplanes are far superior to the Lenco as far as quality goes. The 280s might be overkill for the 253 and I do like the simple and clean design of the Lencos. 1 of our members here had issues with his brand new lencos freezing up do to corrosion I remember. Enjoy your new rig . That is a sweet boat.
 
My 253 had a set of 280's. They were installed at Checkmate. Checkmate installed them reversed intentionally and they worked very well.
 
Interesting. My 280s are installed reverse too. The 280s provide excellent handiling over the junk stockers that were on there. I don't find them to be overkill.
 
Thanks for the feedback!

Hey Gang,
THANKS for the quick feedback!!!! I'm still trying to sort out the components currently on the boat. Previous owner pulled some hardware off during the 'blue-printing' process and not all the pieces were available at the time of the sale - Mike had a blown motor, I'm installing an HP 500 EFI and will need to figure out some connectors/plumbing and mounting hardware. The boat currently has the hydraulic helm, hoses from helm to the engine bay with the oil filter - I have a set of Imco Rams with hoses, mounting hardware and bravo wing plate. I need to determine the ram throw dimensions for transom mounting hardware. There are 2 trim pumps for the trim tabs with hoses routed to the transom - no holes yet.

Sorry for the long-winded write-up...tooooo much coffee this morning LOL!

Gang if you have pics of your transom/hardware - TABS and Steering...please send them to my email address: LDMOORE@comcast.net - or post here.

Thanks again! Very impressed with the active members - REALLY excited to get this back on the water!!!!!!!!!
 
mike put a ton of work in the hull, he and I we talking a lot back then and compairing notes as our boats were the same. with the helm unit in, you are home free, rest piece of cake. not sure what a couple said about tabs backwards ? unless they mean how they are wired, it is correct for the starboard switch to operate the port tab, you want starboard bow down, port tabs does that.it was a shame that he never got that boat running after all that work, apearantly that boat was pretty bad out of the mold as I was giving him measurements off mine as he was working on the bottom. these are great boats
heres a pics of transom when I 1st got mine, can see lines, tab mounting

100_1119.jpg
 
Thx for the pic!

Yeah Mike's a great guy, he's just re-focusing on a new business adventure and needed to build some capital. That's the same Imco dual ram set-up I've got and it looks like Imco's website has a choice between two different ram lengths - I'll need to pull my rams out of storage to see which one matches up.

So the Age-old-argument of tab placement - your's are in 'angled' on the transom versus have them placed 'horizontal' or parallel to ground. Did you install your tabs or were they done at the factory?

And lastly - do you have any 'porpoising' issues - what's your horse power, gear ratio and prop? I plan on using a 26 Bravo 4-blade

Thanks again!

(*By the way - Nice boat - more pics please!!!):thumb:
 
ezstriper said:
mike put a ton of work in the hull, he and I we talking a lot back then and compairing notes as our boats were the same. with the helm unit in, you are home free, rest piece of cake. not sure what a couple said about tabs backwards ? unless they mean how they are wired, it is correct for the starboard switch to operate the port tab, you want starboard bow down, port tabs does that.it was a shame that he never got that boat running after all that work, apearantly that boat was pretty bad out of the mold as I was giving him measurements off mine as he was working on the bottom. these are great boats
heres a pics of transom when I 1st got mine, can see lines, tab mounting

100_1119.jpg
Click to expand...

The tabs weren't wired wrong they were installed with what normally would be the port on the starboard and starboard on the port. It worked ok that way but if they were down a little, turno became a little interesting.
 
mine were factory and even with bottom of boat, not ground, these are touchy somewhat but not nearly as bad as a 251(owned both) had 700hp with a 1.36 drive( I believe) spinning non-labbed 28 @5600 84.
radar%20run%2015_zpslaiarrmt.jpg
 
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