Another Power Trim Question

[urbnsr]

On our first voyage, I started adjusting the power trim/lift and did notice a little attitude change, but what I didn't expect was that I could trim to allow for hands-free steering. The lift setting is relative to speed, so if I leave the at-speed trim setting while near idle, steering is effected the other way.

Is this a normal feature for power trim? Or can I safely use it that way. The setting at-speed is way below "too high" where RPM's run higher with more splashing.

Thanks for any advice.

[Bamaman]

It's not clear what you're talking about.

I just keep mine trimmed at 3/4 on the gauge when 2-3 people are on board, and it's the perfect setting for a fast cruise. It stays there most of the time. When I put more people on board, I'll trim it down somewhat.

Just trim it out to where the boat feels good to you. That's all that matters.

[teecro]

When running at slow near idle speeds trim setting will have very little to no change on bow up/down and/or steering efforts. But once up to speed you may notice a severe steering pull while the motor it trimmed all the way down that all but goes away when you trim up just a little... This is for the most part completely normal... If the steering efforts pose a safety hazard to you they can be tuned to some degree by adjusting the small fin just under your anti-cav plate a little bit one way or the other...

[urbnsr]

Thank for the reply, Bamaman. I am thinking that the trim/lift is to change the angle of the propeller depending on the speed of the boat and relationship of the angle of the toons in the water. I did seem to notice a bit more speed at times while going through the trim range. When we took off, the trim gauge was all the way down.

At this trim setting (all the way down), I noticed that I had to keep a hand on the wheel in order to keep going straight at 4500-5000 RPM. If I trim to 1/2" on the gauge, the boat stays straight without holding the steering wheel. If I slow down to idle and leave the trim at 1/2" gauge, I noticed the boat wanting to turn in the other direction unless held with the steering wheel. If I trim back down at idle, I didn't need too much effort on the wheel to keep it going straight.

Are these steering changes simply a side effect of the intended trim function? And can I just trim to keep going straight depending on the speed?

[urbnsr]

Thanks teecro. I do notice little to no change in bow up/down, but after trimming to 1/2 while at speed, I noticed a decent pull while at idle when returning to the docks while going through the no-wake zone. So, I trimmed back down all the way and the pull went away.

I like that I can adjust out the pull, but didn't know if trim could be adjusted just to keep steering efforts to a minimum without worrying that something else was running very inefficient.

[teecro]

Thanks teecro. I do notice little to no change in bow up/down, but after trimming to 1/2 while at speed, I noticed a decent pull while at idle when returning to the docks while going through the no-wake zone. So, I trimmed back down all the way and the pull went away.

I like that I can adjust out the pull, but didn't know if trim could be adjusted just to keep steering efforts to a minimum without worrying that something else was running very inefficient.

Long Story Made Short...

You can do what ever it takes to make your boating experience safer and/or more enjoyable! Next time out try running a GPS based speed app on your smartphone and making note of extra speed as well as RPM gained by trimming up. There will be a point where speed will go down and RPM will shoot up; this will be your point too far. Back the trim down a little to find the best speed and steering efforts; this is your boats "sweet spot"... When going slow trim down to keep your prop deep in the water for increased steering affect; unless your running in shallow water to which trim up until your anti-cav plate in just under water otherwise your prop looses grip with the water...

[urbnsr]

Great - Thanks

[BobL]

Assuming you don't have a steering/cable issue (which it does not sound like you do) and assuming your motor is at the optimum height, you may need to play around with your trim tab. Here is a YouTube link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gkaBQmsibE

[urbnsr]

Thanks Bob. Video helps.

So now I gather trim tab and trim/lift are two separate functions. Thanks

[BobL]

The term "trim" can be a bit confusing as it is used to refer to various items.

I believe the official definition is:

"Trim on a boat causes the bow of the boat to rise or lower, relative to the surface of the water."

This can be achieved by tilting/trimming your motor up/down (as discussed in this thread) and also by using "trim tabs" which are actual tabs on the back of larger boats that can be adjusted independently. I had actual trim tabs on one of my off shore fishing boats.

The term "trim" and "tilt" is typically used interchangeably.

Some use the term "raise" the motor, but to me, that always referred to raising the height of the motor via manually moving the motor up/down (vertically) via the engine mounting holes or with the use of a manual or mechanical jack plate.

The tab I referred to in the video link confuses matters worse. Many people refer to that as a trim tab (including me) but I think the proper term is "torque" tab.

I have owned many different types of boats for many years so your mileage may vary.

[urbnsr]

Thanks - That helps. I appreciate the responses.

I watched a few other Youtube videos which also referenced steering effects along with tilting the motor up/down, in/out and that helped, too.