Operation

angles to find the position that works best for your boat and operating conditions.

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Adjusting boat trim

When the boat is on plane, a bow-up attitude results in less drag, greater stability and effi- ciency. This is generally when the keel line of the boat is up about 3 to 5 degrees. With the bow up, the boat may have a greater tendency to steer to one side or the other. Compensate for this as you steer. The trim tab can also be adjusted to help offset this effect. When the bow of the boat is down, it is easier to accelerate from a standing start onto plane.

Bow Up

Too much trim-out puts the bow of the boat too high in the water. Performance and economy are decreased because the hull of the boat is pushing the water and there is more air drag. Excessive trim-out can also cause the propeller to ventilate, which reduces performance further, and the boat may “por- poise” (hop in the water), which could throw the operator and passengers overboard.

Bow Down

Too much trim-in causes the boat to “plow” through the water, decreasing fuel economy and making it hard to increase speed. Operating with excessive trim-in at higher speeds also makes the boat unstable. Resistance at the bow is greatly increased, heightening the danger of “bow steering” and making operation difficult and dangerous.

TIP:

Depending on the type of boat, the outboard motor trim angle may have little effect on the trim of the boat when operating.

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Tilting up and down

If the engine will be stopped for some time or if the boat is moored in shallows, the outboard motor should be tilted up to protect the propeller and lower casing from damage by collision with obstructions, and also to re-

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