Bass boat trim authority sucks in mid range

Eddie1920

Seaman
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
50
I have 1985ish Bass boat that proporise if I trim up much in the mid range 2500-3500 rpm range, 28-38mph. 4500 rpm 42mph or up i can trim it to max and its great, but I fish casually and the wife doesn't like the speed so im always cruising around 32-45mph, current prop is a 21p 3 blade yamaha m series ss, is there other props that will allow me to trim the boat up in my mid range cruise, I dont need top speed but current top speed by my self is 53.4 mph at about 5300 rpm
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
14,540
I suspect you are trimming up too much at the lower speed. The standard mode of operation, is trim out until it start to porporise, then trim it in until it stops
You could try a Merc Enertia, it is a prop that will lift the bow, in fact the entire boat will be lifted vertically out of the water.
 

Eddie1920

Seaman
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
50
I suspect you are trimming up too much at the lower speed. The standard mode of operation, is trim out until it start to porporise, then trim it in until it stops
You could try a Merc Enertia, it is a prop that will lift the bow, in fact the entire boat will be lifted vertically out of the water.
No i dont think so. I almost can't trim it at all in mid range, the steering is still heavy and its not even close to being up on pad, iv played with engine height and bringing up the height made it worse, My prop to pad is about 5.75" and I'm on manual jack plate with 5.25" set back
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,956
Most boats can be trimmed more at higher speed. It is therefore normal for you to use max trim as you approach max speed.

At all speeds, you want to trim up until the steering is light, or until she starts to porpoise, whatever you prefer. Some boats allow both, but most will pull left (right hand prop), as trim becomes more extreme.

You can also set your trim tab (anode) to make the steering neutral at higher trim angles. Of course, that will make the boat pull harder right (right hand prop), when trimmed down.
 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
15,635
Most boats can be trimmed more at higher speed. It is therefore normal for you to use max trim as you approach max speed.

At all speeds, you want to trim up until the steering is light, or until she starts to porpoise, whatever you prefer. Some boats allow both, but most will pull left (right hand prop), as trim becomes more extreme.

You can also set your trim tab (anode) to make the steering neutral at higher trim angles. Of course, that will make the boat pull harder right (right hand prop), when trimmed down.
yep, thats what i meant to say... :)
 

Pmt133

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jan 6, 2022
Messages
1,718
It sounds like you may have a few things going on here as others have said... but at the lower speeds I wouldn't expect the boat to be up on the pad so to speak. A true neutral lifting prop like the enertia would help that greatly but that's only one piece....
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,956
Gee, does that boat have a pad? Some don't. Your RPM is a bit low, based on experience, although the prop pitch sounds right.

Run on plane at cruise or faster and see what the antiventilation plate is doing. It should be on top of the water. If not, maybe raise the motor 3/4".
 

Ifishmuskie2

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 5, 2025
Messages
103
Maybe a simple way ( I know it works on some boats). Run the speed you want and adjust the trim to stop the porpoise. If you don’t change the rpm much then you have the sweat spot.
 
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