outdrive trim

[webegonebeachin]

I have a new(used) '87 Bayliner Ciera Sunbridge 2550 with a arch. Engine is a 5.7 and it has a 9.5 beam. When the boat is on plane,do you use JUST the trim tabs or trim the outdrive also,or both???

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: outdrive trim

You'll probably get many different answers to this question, some will say use your outdrive trim to set the boats running attitude (raise or lower the bow) and use the trim tabs for keeping the boat level side to side (ie: if you have more people on one side) . Personally I use both as I have a fairly heavy boat I put my tabs down and my drives in to take off and get up on plane, once up I usually raise the tabs most of the way up and use the trim on the drives to give me the best (most efficient) running attitude. Of course most of the time small changes are required with the tabs to compensate for running conditions as they change.

 

[KJ]

Re: outdrive trim

Is it unusual to have to trim your outdrive nearly all the way in to take off? I am new to this as well and just trying to get a feel for what is normal. It seems to me that I have to trim all the way in to take off and then once I get up on plane, can trim it back out, but not even to the middle (I assume level) on the trim indicator.

Thanks for any help.

 

[webegonebeachin]

Re: outdrive trim

You'll probably get many different answers to this question, some will say use your outdrive trim to set the boats running attitude (raise or lower the bow) and use the trim tabs for keeping the boat level side to side (ie: if you have more people on one side) . Personally I use both as I have a fairly heavy boat I put my tabs down and my drives in to take off and get up on plane, once up I usually raise the tabs most of the way up and use the trim on the drives to give me the best (most efficient) running attitude. Of course most of the time small changes are required with the tabs to compensate for running conditions as they change.

 

[webegonebeachin]

Re: outdrive trim

Thanx Bob: I have a single screw,boat weighs approx/5500 lbs, get her on plane,tabs up,then adjust for uneven weight, how much/how do you know when the trim on the outdrive is correct?????

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: outdrive trim

KJ...no it's normal to trim the drive in, this helps push the stern up which in turn brings the bow down quicker and gets you on plane faster.


webegone....this will come with experience, you will need to get the feel of the boat and which running attitude is the most efficient for you. Watching the speedometer and the tach will help. Once you get on plane, play with the trim, raising the drive up some should see your tach raise in RPM's and then the speedo should also increase a bit, once you raise it too high then you may see the speed start to drop off plus you'll probably notice the bow will be sitting too high.