Mercury 40 jet fourstroke User Manual page 72

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 that 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.
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
60
eng