Trim Question

[skaggst]

Another question for 1st time boat owner.....I have 1971 Mercury 500 50hp motor on a 16 foot SeaArk duckhawk boat....No power trim....1st time out too high in the bow with just me in the boat so I moved the mechanical tilt pin towards the boat and the boat planed nicely and had great speed.....Took wife out and with the tilt pin in that position the
boat would not not plane and lost power (I believe due to cavitation).....I moved the pin closer to the boat and made things worse didn't cavitate but wouldn't plane.....the question is any tried and true method to adjust or is it just try a hole and if it doesn't work move it one way or the other.....if I have more load in the front do i need to raise the bow to get the boat to plane??? with just me in the boat the middle pin was great ......I think I went the wrong direction....Sorry for the long rambling post. I feel like Gilligan LOL.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Trim Question

You figured it out. To lift more weight the pin goes back. You need to check rpm in case your turning too much prop with any load.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Trim Question

We need to evaluate your performance. Your 50 hp should plane easily with 2 aboard and probably reach 30 to 35 depending on your boats weight and size. Do you have a tach? A gps for speed would help.Some cells have a gps app.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Trim Question

If with mechanical tilt, engine should rest on transom perpendicular to water level ; anticav plate should ride paralell to water level when boat's on plane, will need to place mate towards bow if boating with more than one to ballance well boat under way. Are you using a central console or tiller steering ? Other thing to check: proper engine/transom height match.

Happy Boating

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trim Question

That's the advantage of power trim. As you alter the loading of a boat it requires a different trim setting. What you might do if moving the pin irritates you, is to set it for a heavy load and then put the fuel tank, cooler and other stuff in the bow when you are alone.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Trim Question

Sounds like when you added the second person, the boat ran nose down and plowed water. The second hole away from the transom is the standard setting. That or the third hole should be tried and the best compromise selected.