Section 2 - Getting to Know Your Power Package
Excessive trim can cause serious injury or death at high speeds. Use caution when
trimming the sterndrive, and never trim out beyond the gimbal ring support flanges while
the boat is underway or at engine speeds above 1200 RPM.
For best performance trim the sterndrive so that the boat bottom is at a 3–5° angle to the
water.
Trimming sterndrive 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 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 oversteering if any turn is attempted or if a significant
wave is encountered.
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