Can I adjust my trim up and down when driving the boat? or will this harm somthing?

[dkorzun21]

Hello everyone and sorry for all the question I have posted on here but it really helps out alot. Thank you.
Im a new boat owner and was wondering if I can adjust the trim up and down while driving the boat? My controls for the trim are right on the control boxs, questions is does it hurt anything adjust them or is that normal. I know I should raise the engine with the trialer button at all unless im going to pull it out the water or parked at a sand bar. But was just wonder if thats ok.

Another question I have is about my gas gauge. I have only filled up my gas 2 times and its cost me 40 buck its a v6 I/O so I think that probably like half a tank, but im not sure cause I have never let it run dry. Any way when Im on the water the gas gauge bounces around a lot and im kinda unsure where the gas is at when it full it bounches around full but when it get half way i think is half way starts jumping from e to half full. Let me know if this is normal. I did though for get to check it when I was sitting still on the lake and see where it was at.

 

[Rowroy]

Re: Can I adjust my trim up and down when driving the boat? or will this harm somthin

You certainly can adjust your trim while driving. In fact, you're supposed to.

You should trim it up (out) when you get on plane. This will make the boat glide through the water with less resistance. Also, always trim the motor down (in) when you are taking off. This will decrease bow rise.

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: Can I adjust my trim up and down when driving the boat? or will this harm somthin

ok great. Who much should I trim it up when I plane out? Or is it just somthing you have to feel out? The first time I took my boat out I didnt trim it down all the way and I really thought it was gunna flip. Just glad I didnt hurt my boat or hurt anyone else just had to make a quick phone call and problem solved.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Can I adjust my trim up and down when driving the boat? or will this harm somthin

Do you have a trim gauge (instrument)?

The gauge should have several markings:

Operating or trim range: While operating the boat, you will need to adjust the trim for maximum comfort and efficiency. While you are in gear and moving, raise/lower the trim help achieve plane. Adjust the trim to maximum speed at the operating engine rpms. There are times when you want bow up or bow down depending on wave conditions and direction. Example: I use bow up a lot while traveling out the inlets to prevent the wakes from other boats causing me to torpedo the boat.

Beach range which should only be used while idling or at reduced speeds as you approach the shoreline. This condition stresses the drive and u-joints if used with higher speeds.

Trailer position is for when the engine is not running and you are removing the boat from the water (or anchored at the beach) - DO NOT RUN THE ENGINE/DRIVE IN THIS POSITION.

Always check your drive position before starting to make sure its in the water. (make it a part of your pre-start checklist).

Always check the drive position before putting it in gear.

Always check the drive position before removing from the water.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Can I adjust my trim up and down when driving the boat? or will this harm somthin

Yes! You can do it anytime when on plane, But, Raising the trim at slow speeds (not on plane) is not advisable, unless you get caught in shallow water Plus, if you forget it's up, it will be harder to get on plane leading to my next statement, I would not trim when trying to get on plane, because it is hard on the trim system, or actually the whole running gear And please remember to trim down, if you throttle down off plane

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Can I adjust my trim up and down when driving the boat? or will this harm somthin

ok great. Who much should I trim it up when I plane out? Or is it just somthing you have to feel out? The first time I took my boat out I didnt trim it down all the way and I really thought it was gunna flip. Just glad I didnt hurt my boat or hurt anyone else just had to make a quick phone call and problem solved.

How much, watch your speed and tack. Keep your rpms steady and achieve maximum speed (efficiency). You'll get the feel. Conditions always change. People in the bow, people in the stern, a loaded cooler, waves/wakes, etc.

be careful about bow up or down while riding over waves/wakes and when riders or in the bow. Trim up/bow up will cause the bow to move up/down faster (you can toss out the riders if you're not careful).

Just play with it and get comfortable.

 

[Susquehanna Squid]

Re: Can I adjust my trim up and down when driving the boat? or will this harm somthin

Yep use the trim to maximize performance. Keep an eye on the tach and the speedometer if you have one and also try moving your cargo (people, pets, gear, etc) to see what it takes to get the boat to respond like it should. It may take some getting use to but mastering the trim switch will greatly improve performance.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Can I adjust my trim up and down when driving the boat? or will this harm somthin

Fuel tanks tend to be long, narrow and quite shallow so the fuel sloshes around in them when underway. Always check your fuel gauge with the boat at the dock. This gives the most accurate reading. When underway most gauges tend to bounce around, especially when fuel level gets to about 1/2 or less.