Trim question

[imported_erick]

I am relatively new to boating and was wondering how to best trim the boat. Now, I basically put the drive all the way down when running and bring it up a little to protect the prop when in shallow water. Should I be messing with it when I am driving?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trim question

Should I be messing with it when I am driving?

Ayuh,...........

That's how the "Seat of the Pants" Trim Gauge is calibrated..........

 

[BayracerL.I.]

Re: Trim question

When you get her up on plane and at your cruising speed trim her up a little at a time . You should hear and feel your boats sweet spot (not going to be the same at diffrent speeds or sea conditions) Also look at the tach and speedo when you are adjusting trim you will get the feel for the optimum trim

 

[Ramathorn]

Re: Trim question

You should hear and feel your boats sweet spot (not going to be the same at diffrent speeds or sea conditions)

I've been told this by a few people as well... by feel, is the sweet spot just before you feel a slight vibration? I cant say I've noticed a difference in sound
Also, I tend to trim up as the water gets choppier to raise the bow slightly... it feels like the boat stays on top of the waves just a little bit. Not sure if this is the "right thing to do".

 

[QC]

Re: Trim question

Well there is no absolute "right thing to do". This may be best termed as an art not a science. It is a feel thing, but there are some clarifications that can help. The ear thing is also about what is often called blow out. If your ear hears RPM increasing but the boat is not going any faster, then you have trimmed too high and the prop is grabbing air not water, this is usually pretty obvious. However, if it blows out before you have reached full trim height then you might have a weight balance issue; probably too much forward. If the boat Porpoises (rhythmic bouncing of the bow) before or at full up trim, then you may have too much weight aft. To add to others comments here though, optimum trim height is different at different speeds. Generally higher trim is possible and desirable with higher speeds. There are also times where you want the bow down in rough water, but not always . . . Again, art not science Good luck, a lot of this is trial and error and every boat and every load and every water condition is different.