How To Trim Your Boat (Boat Trim Basics)

Рет қаралды 523,567

Күн бұрын

Do you wonder how your boat engine trim works and how to use it properly. We get asked this all the time when we are giving boating lessons. We also see lots of boaters who are not using thier boat power trim incorrectly. In this video we will cover:
0:00 Intro
1:22 Boat design and trim
1:40 How to get a boat on plane
2:09 How a boat hull works on the water
2:50 Best trim settings for boating
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Пікірлер: 107

@boatinglessons Жыл бұрын

Does your boat behave differently when trimmed vs. not? Tell our follower's about it here.

@sharonbraselton4302 Жыл бұрын

yes it dise bow up ehrn rogh watrr slow laning big wav bow diw çalm ester baxoum topsoied

@tenncutt 9 ай бұрын

@@sharonbraselton4302wtf?!

@cjod33 Жыл бұрын

My grandfather taught me to trim by watching your wake. No just behind but along the boat. As you adjust trim you'll notice the beginning of your wake moves up and down between the bow n stern . The less wake the better the trim, less boat in the water , less friction, more efficient, more speed.

@jamesharper8373 Жыл бұрын

Simple but that's an excellent idea. Will give that a try. Thanks!

@shado2wx Жыл бұрын

Very cool! Your grandfather definitely had it figured out!!

@markgrillo3139 9 ай бұрын

You will also hear it, the water shifting to the back, or stern…lol

@stonehorn4641 2 ай бұрын

I mean, you’re correct, but it depends on tge type of boat. What you’re saying doesn’t hold for stuff like my tournament bass boat, which has barely any part of the boat even touching the water when on plane. The only wake is almost completely behind me. My Regulator 33 center console saltwater sport fishing boat performs exactly as you said. You can always tell by the steering anyway. And that’s all only for calm water. Get out in the salt, or even big water like the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, etc, you have to trim it for the waves, not just performance.

@trueblue6070 5 күн бұрын

I really appreciate your videos. Me and my wife just got our first boat and have had alot of anxiety about taking it out for the first time and your videos have educated me so much. Thank you again!

@trentmeidinger6160 2 күн бұрын

So glad I found your videos! Binging them now. You do a great job explaining everything. I’ve yet to have that “wait, what does that mean?” moment that can happen with how-to videos.

@mx83toy Жыл бұрын

I'm quite new to boats and learnt quite a bit from this video, thankyou... More so the part about the trim being all the way down (angled back) I genuinely didn't know it was there for function..

@keithlucas8865 Жыл бұрын

Great info! I'd also add that on my sterndrive, in addition to the 'feel' of the boat, I can also tell by engine sound when I've hit the right amount of trim once I'm up on plane.

@sharonbraselton4302 Жыл бұрын

yes it dose

@researchcapt Жыл бұрын

To trim your engine properly, tilt up until you maximize your speed which means your wetted surface area is minimized or until your propeller starts aerating, whichever comes first. If your propeller starts aerating, then tilt down a bit.

@J.o.e_K 7 ай бұрын

That's what I've been doing for years. Listening to rpms with the ears

@InsidertecPrapo Жыл бұрын

The Mercury user manual says that in order to trim the engine correctly, perpendicular to the surface of the water, the steering wheel should not feel a tendency to overturn either to the left or to the right... but at the same time, when you want Go fast, turn the engine up a bit. Very good video, greetings from Argentina.

@mriphone1000 9 ай бұрын

This makes much more sense. I didn't thoroughly understand this, the negative trim angle is thier for a reason to help push the bow into plane. Thanks!

@tokenfire111 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful video. Used to sail for some years and now for the first time started riding fast power boats. The concept of trimming the angle of attack of the prop is totally new to me and this video was extremely helpful. Super well explained and easy to follow, especially the details around over trimming and how to not rely on trim gauges

@blaster-zy7xx Жыл бұрын

Good video. I figured out best trim on flat water by very closely watching the speedometer and trimming for best speed. I had that marked on my trim gauge. Then trim down slightly from that for more choppy water.

@Natter20002 Жыл бұрын

I always forget to trim up my stern drive when I put it on the trailer but I’ve just been lucky not to hit the ground before I notice and trim it up (just as it emerges from the water. ). I need a huge red laminated card or some reminder to do that ! 😂. And since we’re sharing I need a reminder to put it down when I launch. Some other trim goodies I picked up this year as a new stern drive owner: the manual says to store it in the down position, even if it’s sitting for “a short storage duration “ so the bellows don’t “take a set” and stay bent in a tight angle. I see lots of boats sit for months with them fully tilted up for trailering. Also a friend of mine who worked hydraulics in the Air Force said hydraulics 101 is to store them with the ram retracted is best (so again trimmed down ). Try not to run a stern drive boat motor (I believe even in neutral ?) with the stern drive trimmed way up because it can be hard on the u-joint in there was another tid bit worth passing on I guess.

@dougcanter670 8 ай бұрын

In calm water, after it gets on plane you can trim the motor watching the gauges where your getting the highest speed for the RPMs and you will notice you will also be getting the best MPG for your boat.

@henryk2689 8 ай бұрын

One of the best videos I've seen on trim topic. thank you

@b.vonschnauser207 Жыл бұрын

Very informative, and very well explained. Thank you for posting!

@markdayboch2986 10 ай бұрын

Well done . Clear and comprehensive

@kerrycox6565 Жыл бұрын

Excellent description, thank you!

@craighellberg4366 9 ай бұрын

Your videos are so great! I am learning so much before I purchase my first pontoon boat. Thank you so much.

@austinthornley1272 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video. This is the 5th video I've seen on planing and this o's the best one so far

@Maynardd Жыл бұрын

Every boat is different. My chaparral, bravo three would get its best performance (top speed )when I trimmed it up to 2. The trim range was between zero and four. On the gauge anyway. My tritune on the other hand gets its best top speed when trimmed to 1.2. But it gets its best miles per gallon at 23 miles an hour trimmed at 1.4. In the end, just spend a little bit of time figuring all of this out. Every boat is different.

@tomdrummy4984 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video ! 👍

@G-Force_70 9 ай бұрын

Great segment, thank you.

@paulszabo8222 10 ай бұрын

Extremely helpful, thank you 👍

@naylorjr1 11 ай бұрын

Good clear explanation, thank you

@ronscott2343 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this content on trimming the motor. Can you discuss using trim tabs in conjunction with trimming the motor?

@danroseberry Жыл бұрын

Helpful, thanks.

@randysmith3654 Жыл бұрын

Just bought a boat...thankyou!

@livergsp 10 ай бұрын

Used your video to explain to a friend that his Nitro Z7 has a hooked hull and he will never be on pad because his bow is being pushed down just like he had the trim fully Dow. Thank you

@maryhoward3728 9 ай бұрын

Very good info, a professional.

@dwightaustin7577 26 күн бұрын

Great explanation

@phillipmckinnon6883 Жыл бұрын

Good info!

@stephs1571 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I was just looking for that kind of info!

@boatinglessons Жыл бұрын

Our pleasure!

@robertm2172 Жыл бұрын

Great video

@jimwhall6609 11 ай бұрын

Ugh, I have a 19 ft four winns and end up trimmed down most of the time. With 3-4 kids and tubing it just makes it easier. But even cruising even a little trim up has me porpoising. And remember to trim up before you pull the boat. :-)

@davidpenlington2753 Жыл бұрын

when mooring trim down to better manage marine growth causing problems. Thanks for the Vid, very well done.

@Davy-lf4cj 5 ай бұрын

Exactly what I needed to know. 👍🙂 Excellent video, excellent explanation very easy to understand

@boatinglessons 5 ай бұрын

We appreciate the feedback! Any other topics you would like to see covered?

@TheTallRaver 3 ай бұрын

Great info!👍👍

@boatinglessons 2 ай бұрын

Thank you!😊

@apackwestbound5946 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for this great tutorial! This is a clear explanation complete with visuals and thorough explanations that, for me, was a perfect blend of technical details without either getting so cerebral as to be on the level of the engineers designing these devices or dumbed down to the point where there is virtually no explanation of the physics or reasons for the particular recommendations. Well done!

@jerrygarvey7257 Жыл бұрын

Can you do a video on trimming your outboard without a power trim very new to boating and just restored a 1972 glastron with 80 mercury and manual trim , love the videos. Thanks Jerry

@charlieodom9107 Жыл бұрын

Get some tabs!

@sharonbraselton4302 Жыл бұрын

buy jet oytbard eltric ytrim caroliñsa skiff ¹7 80 hp jet oytt biard

@ramiromedrano1173 11 ай бұрын

Thanks!! 😂 I was riding all bad😅

@America2gether 19 күн бұрын

Great channel

@boatinglessons 18 күн бұрын

Thank you! 😊

@DonaldJohnson-yb1qv Жыл бұрын

I have a Honda and trim so the top of the motor is flat with the water, then fine trim from there it's a bit faster and seems pretty close

@richqualls5157 8 ай бұрын

I agree with all your comments.

@cmacuf 11 ай бұрын

This guy is great

@davidwelday3276 11 ай бұрын

Prospective new boater here, this info was gold! Thanks

@eduardocapmany1778 Жыл бұрын

Hi there ! Thanks for your technical guidance and savoir-affaire in boating issues. I have an Angler 22 with 2 x 250 HP VX series YAMAHA outbards. Quick question : Why is it so, that when I run the boat at mid power and press the trim button down, it clearly accelarates better...? I assume an electrical issue has to do, and if where shall I look to, in order to guarantee unstable electrical power to the spark plugs I pressume...?¡¡?

@bertpoisson4227 9 ай бұрын

Trim is all about sound and feel!

@krisramos7453 10 ай бұрын

In my old 16.6’ aluminum with a 50 Yamaha the revs won’t get all the way up unless trim high enough. Theres a bunch of batteries and gas near the stern so the weight isn’t balanced. Because of this once you trim too high it’ll porpoise so you probably won’t over rev it. Great boat to learn on since there is no tachometer, no trim gauge, no anything. It’s all feel

@MrLkelso Жыл бұрын

Haven't seen any video's on how to raise the strern or skag without power! I have an older omc stern drive that i cant raise the outdrive on to move it to the shop! (Wiring issues) Any tips or tricks would be helpful!

@roundsm18 11 ай бұрын

Interesting. Always had inboards. Debating building an outboard boat for screwing around with. Seems like this requires more thought.

@sailboatbob3969 Ай бұрын

i always used sound. up on plane lift the engine. when it gets loud put it back down till noise goes away, found that gets the fastest speed. now you can leave it there, but if you slow down then want to go again, just going to take slighter longer to plane.

@boatinglessons Ай бұрын

All of those things are true :)

@kevinnye6923 10 ай бұрын

You can tell that he actually wears that coast guard approved life jacket every time he goes out.

@stevenmazzarella2399 11 ай бұрын

Does this apply to my 14 ft flat bottom john boat wth a 9.9 evinrude?

@CTRadventures Ай бұрын

So this is a dumb question. I just bought my first outboard, a 88 ranger bass boat v393. When I trim down all the way and I can plane at approx 12-15 mph. Now when I am going slow like 4-8 or so mph the nose is up , seems to be normal, makes it a little more difficult to see while sitting driving but heck, for all I know it's normal.

@mikeb8688 Жыл бұрын

Really appreciate the info. thank you for sharing… how about mercury active trim is this something that is trustworthy? Again thank you for the info

@coolbreeze6329 Жыл бұрын

The other thing that happens too when you trim up too high you start to lose your steering that higher speeds

@billkreitner9884 Жыл бұрын

How do trim tabs affect the use of the trim?

@charlieodom9107 Жыл бұрын

Not much really. You still trim the exact same way. In most properly powered planing hulls, you'll want to trim till you porpoise, then add in tab to stop it. Exceptions to this are sea conditions, loading and balance, and speed. For example: if you are unbalanced, or listing, the tabs will be used to level first, then achieve proper trim, then tab down to eliminate porpoise. Another exception is in rough water, which is where tabs are most often under utilized. You still want to trim for max efficiency, then use the tabs to get a level ride, to prevent porpoise and pounding. Finally, tabs are most often severely undersized on boats, which make them far less effective at doing their job properly. High Performance boats will need a much longer chord than a cruiser or fishing boat of less performance, due to the fact that the plane (tab) needs more leverage and less drag to keep from hindering performance. The best way to understand proper use of tabs is to find a person who has a high performance boat and let them show you how they are supposed to be used. You'll find that nearly all people who use tabs on boats do it wrong.

@TKRad777 Жыл бұрын

Great video,.... question. Does this also apply to a 30 foot 11,000 lb Bayliner Flybridge with a 7.4 sterndrive? I always use my trimtabs but this may be a new tweek. Not sure if the size and weight make a difference. You mention a 25 ft or greater pontoon boat will be different so thats why I was wondering about comparing to my boat. I can get on plane around 26/27 MPH. At about 1.25 MPG I am always looking at saving gas.

@boatinglessons Жыл бұрын

Thanks Thomas. Yes it applies to every boat in general, although the amount of improvement will vary. Your tabs help bring the bow down (getting on plane easier) and the drive trim lifts the bow once you are already on plane. Typically you would reduce your tab setting to (or close to ) zero before adjusting the drive trim up

@sharonbraselton4302 Жыл бұрын

yes ñew 30 foot bayliñer fly brudg has 2 64 kw batery oaçk

@meseahunt 10 ай бұрын

So what’s the rules/tips for pontoons?

@janesigabaro7593 2 ай бұрын

I find it interesting how this is somehow different from what I learned about our ships in the Navy.

@boatinglessons 2 ай бұрын

What were the lessons from the Navy?

@ron8528 Ай бұрын

Two different propulsion systems, and design of ship, boat, etc...

@janesigabaro7593 Ай бұрын

@@ron8528 yes

@billkreitner9884 Жыл бұрын

On a small, 16 ‘ fairly flat bottomed flats boat when should I use the trim tabs as opposed to the trim on the engine?

@sharonbraselton4302 Жыл бұрын

wróñg oñly big baits oñly

@armandde1 Жыл бұрын

The last thing you mentioned was to trim your motor all the way down to be ready for next time, but I've been always told to raise the lower unit out of the water each time you're done boating. Which is it?

@lincolnnyquist3839 Жыл бұрын

if you leave it in the water it is fine to leave it down but if youre taking it out out of the water with a trailer you always need to trim it all the way up

@silvajay6443 Жыл бұрын

also depends on water. I wouldn't leave anything down in salt water

@paulharris5950 Жыл бұрын

Good info but would have benefited from visual show

@emmanuelmeyermeyer1083 Жыл бұрын

I agree. Let's see some live action on the water.

@noelyeo4557 Жыл бұрын

Will a long shaft motor get you on the plane quicker than I short shaft motor in a 15 foot boat

@sharonbraselton4302 Жыл бұрын

buy jet iutbarx

@wardevan33 9 ай бұрын

i love how he talks abt trim while showing footage of a v drive in operation

@shainewinter8264 9 ай бұрын

😂 "all rise" ok, let's watch the rest of the video 😅

@southernc4919 Жыл бұрын

Trim according to the best speed vs RPM ratio

@boatinglessons Жыл бұрын

Are you asking a question or making a statement?

@jburchick183 Жыл бұрын

Yes to your comment speed vs rpm is the best way

@wyldbill100 9 ай бұрын

....and for GOD'S SAKE....TRIM the motor fully up BEFORE taking the boat out of the water at the ramp! A skeg strike can be very costly!

@skipmars7979 8 ай бұрын

A boat has "broken surface tension" 2:05 as long as it's in the water, even sitting still.

@knighthawk3559 Жыл бұрын

Wonder how many times he's been to court for dodgy boat repairs! 😂

@KingShadStarSeed9 6 ай бұрын

I thought you trim up to get on up on plan easier

@Redneckeverything Ай бұрын

Nice tutorial! Please though stop mixing up cavitation with ventilation, we need to stop this confusion at every opportunity before it spreads even more and ruin discussions all over the world 😊

@joshawageorge2122 Ай бұрын

This guy doesn't even discuss about hydrofoils ,wholeshot or pushing weight .while pushing weight the trim may have to lifted a bit for compensation or the boat will plow and twist once the bow touches a swell this action actually causes the boat to twist and tends to roll

@tomulator 24 күн бұрын

What about tiller controlled outboards where you can’t make on the fly trim adjustments? Do you just leave the trim vertical or down and deal with it?

@EASchmidtE 11 ай бұрын

Never put the boat in geat with the engine in the trailer position.

@tomschauman4960 4 ай бұрын

When’s the last time that guy got a little trim??

@boatinglessons 4 ай бұрын

Do I need a new barber?💈 🤣

@mind_matters74 8 күн бұрын

😂

@Nitrox4me 10 ай бұрын

After on a plane, I use my GPS speed and engine RPM. With the throttle at a fixed point, say 4200 RPM, I bump the trim to see the RPM come up slightly and the speed increase without a change in throttle position. I also watch the "wash" You want it to be just on the edge of cavitation, then trim it down a touch.