Mercury 135 Pro XS OptiMax Manual page 68

POWER TRIM OPERATION
With most boats, operating around the middle of the trim range
will give satisfactory results. However, to take full advantage of
the trimming capability there may be times when you choose to
trim your outboard all the way in or out. Along with an
improvement in some performance aspects comes a greater
responsibility for the operator, and this is being aware of some
potential control hazards.
The most significant control hazard is a pull or torque that can be
felt on the steering wheel or tiller handle. This steering torque
results from the outboard being trimmed so the propeller shaft is
not parallel to the water surface.
Trimming the outboard beyond a neutral steering condition
may result in a pull on the steering wheel or tiller handle and
loss of boat control. Maintain control of the boat if trimming
beyond a neutral steering condition.
Consider the following lists carefully.
1. Trimming in or down can:
• Lower the bow
• Result in quicker planing off, especially with a heavy load
or a stern heavy boat
• Generally improve the ride in choppy water
• Increase steering torque or pull to the right (with the
normal right‑hand rotation propeller)
• In excess, can lower the bow of some boats to a point
where they begin to plow with their bow in the water while
on plane. This can result in an unexpected turn in either
direction (called bow steering or oversteering) if any turn
is attempted, or if a significant wave is encountered.
FEATURES AND CONTROLS
!
WARNING
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