When should I trim my boat motor?
Start with trim down: When you’re taking off from displacement speeds, most boats work best with the engine and bow trimmed down — this helps the boat rise quickly onto the plane. However, once your boat is on plane, it’s important to adjust the trim based on the sea conditions.
How do you trim a boat in rough water?
When learning how to trim a boat in rough water, you will need to lower your trim tabs by using the trim tab switch at the helm. Trim tabs are lowered in order to bring your bow down when operating at a slower speed in rough waters.
Should you leave your outboard up or down?
It’s best to tilt your outboard up when leaving your boat in the water to prevent marine growth from forming and from corrosion eating away at its metal parts.
Do you trim up or down in rough water?
Either trim down a little until the porpoising stops, or increase boat speed slightly to create more lifting force under the hull. In rough water, especially with a head sea, trimming down will soften the ride by allowing the sharper deadrise of the forward bow to slice through the chop.
Should trim tabs be up or down?
When running into the waves you’ll want to trim the bow down so the sharp point of the bow can cleave the waves. This provides the most comfortable ride and minimizes stress on the boat (and passengers). In a following sea the tabs should be fully retracted for maximum steering response.
Should you trailer a boat with the motor up or down?
Trailering with the engine in a vertical position puts the least amount of strain on the motor and transom, but that’s not possible for many boat/trailer/engine combinations due to ground clearance issues.
How far down should trim tabs go?
about 2 inches
With trim tabs completely retracted, fluid level should be about 2 inches from bottom of reservoir (approximately 22 ounces).