Single Engine Trim/Trailer - MerCruiser 496 MAG Owner's Manual

Section 2 - Getting to Know Your Power Package
For best performance trim the sterndrive unit so that the boat bottom is at a 3‑5° angle to the water.
Trimming sterndrive unit up/out can:
• Generally increase top speed
• Increase clearance over submerged objects or a shallow bottom
• Cause boat to accelerate and plane off slower
• In excess, cause boat porpoising (bouncing) or propeller ventilation
• Cause engine overheating if trimmed up/out to a point where any cooling water intake holes are above the water line
Trimming sterndrive unit down/in can:
• Help the boat accelerate and plane off quicker
• Generally improve the ride in choppy water
• In most cases, reduce boat speed
• If in excess, lower the bow of some boats to a point at which 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 over steering if any turn is attempted or if a
significant wave is encountered.

Single Engine Trim/Trailer

Single engine applications will have a button that can be pressed to trim the sterndrive unit up or down.
To raise the sterndrive unit for trailering, beaching, launching, low speed (below 1200 rpm), and shallow water operation push the
trim button to raise the sterndrive unit to the full up/out position.
Some controls also have a trailer button that trims the sterndrive to a position suitable for trailer purposes only.
NOTE: The DTS control system limits the extent to which the sterndrive unit can be trimmed up/out when engine speed is above
3500 RPM.
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90-899883274 MARCH 2008