Trim / Throttle ???

[HOF#13]

Hey guys,

New to the boat ownership deal so I have a real simple question...When first starting out(applying throttle) is it best to have the motor trimmed all the way down and as your boat planes out start to trim it up a bit?

Thanks fellas.

[Ely Lake Expert]

When I use my parents boat with the electronic trim, I have it trimmed up slightly when I take of so it will plane out faster and easier. Once you are planed out, I generally adjust the trim to the point were I am not pushing to much water nor am I bouncing.

Hopefully this helps,

Ryan

[iffwalleyes]

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Hey guys,

New to the boat ownership deal so I have a real simple question...When first starting out(applying throttle) is it best to have the motor trimmed all the way down and as your boat planes out start to trim it up a bit?

Thanks fellas.

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You got it that is the best way. You can have it trimmed some but I think I get on plan faster with it all the way down and drop the hammer and the start trimming right away.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

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When first starting out(applying throttle) is it best to have the motor trimmed all the way down and as your boat planes out start to trim it up a bit?

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You got it!

[wplatehunter]

I agree with Iffwalleyes.

[marine_man]

Quote:

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Once you are planed out, I generally adjust the trim to the point were I am not pushing to much water nor am I bouncing.

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Ely Lake Expert has the second most important point about trimming here... once you're up on plane continue trimming the motor up until your boat starts porposing or bouncing, then trim it down until it stops. You're now running at the most ideal conditions for speed, RPM and fuel consumption, especially if you back off on the throttle.

The other point here, and maybe it's obvious, is that you'll need to trim back down before making any hard corners... otherwise your prop will blow out.

The other good thing about trimming up is that your steering torque is significantly reduced when your trimmed up vs trimmed all the way down.

marine_man

[stmichael]

I like to make sure that my motor is facing a buddy (obviously in a different boat) trim the motor just until you can see the prop and make sure it is still spitting water and then hammer down... it works best if you can fake motor troubles and try to be about 10 ft. from him maybe a little closer but you do not want to cause harm... keep in mind you may only get him once... OH and watch out for anchor ropes

[Ralph Wiggum]

LOL, done that once or twice

[stmichael]

Every possible chance I can.

Of course it is best if you can pull up and he is occupied with a pole and being anchored and all. I have been sprayed in this situation a couple of times. It is not very pleasant with temps hovering 40 degrees and windy. It does get cold, it really makes you aware of what is going on around you. If the kids are with then it is understood the game is off (in these conditions).

Sometimes if one of us thinks about it we will call a truce in these conditions at first sight of each other.

When conditions are extremely hot out, then we try and find each other often as the day goes on (kids love to see a wall of water coming down on them). We try not to tick anyone off, most people get a good laugh.

[Ralph Wiggum]

We tend to ambush friends sitting on the dock or pontoon. It's hilarious when you find someone who's never had it done to them before. The look on their face is priceless.

[BobT]

You'll also find that how high you trim out will vary depending on weather conditions, water conditions, load placement, amount of load, etc. Each situation is unique. so you need to try different things until it works best.

As you trim out, you are lifting the bow of your boat and subsequently putting less boat in the water. Naturally this reduces drag due to friction between the boat and the water, hence the better fuel efficiency and speed. Too high and your bow gets too light and that is when you begin to porpoise and also potentially lose stearing stability and control so some care needs to be kept in mind.

Bob