How To Trim Your Boat (Boat Trim Basics)

[@boatinglessons]

Does your boat behave differently when trimmed vs. not? Tell our follower's about it here.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

yes it dise bow up ehrn rogh watrr slow laning big wav bow diw çalm ester baxoum topsoied

[@tenncutt]

​@@sharonbraselton4302wtf?!

[@Murfdigidy]

​​​@@tenncuttSharon, calling Sharon, are you okay? This is a welfare check 😂

[@cjod33]

My grandfather taught me to trim by watching your wake. No just behind but along the boat. As you adjust trim you'll notice the beginning of your wake moves up and down between the bow n stern . The less wake the better the trim, less boat in the water , less friction, more efficient, more speed.

[@jamesharper8373]

Simple but that's an excellent idea. Will give that a try. Thanks!

[@shado2wx]

Very cool! Your grandfather definitely had it figured out!!

[@markgrillo3139]

You will also hear it, the water shifting to the back, or stern…lol

[@stonehorn4641]

I mean, you’re correct, but it depends on tge type of boat. What you’re saying doesn’t hold for stuff like my tournament bass boat, which has barely any part of the boat even touching the water when on plane. The only wake is almost completely behind me. My Regulator 33 center console saltwater sport fishing boat performs exactly as you said. You can always tell by the steering anyway. And that’s all only for calm water. Get out in the salt, or even big water like the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, etc, you have to trim it for the waves, not just performance.

[@sherlockbonez]

Thats how i do it. Just look over the side. If its windy and wavy i only trim 1/2 up, if its glass than 3/4 up.

[@rickchandler5192]

My wife and I just bought our first boat, a used one, after retiring and moving out of the city. Your videos have been extremely helpful in relieving the nervousness and anxiety of first time boaters. Many thanks !

[@mriphone1000]

This makes much more sense. I didn't thoroughly understand this, the negative trim angle is thier for a reason to help push the bow into plane. Thanks!

[@mx83toy]

I'm quite new to boats and learnt quite a bit from this video, thankyou... More so the part about the trim being all the way down (angled back) I genuinely didn't know it was there for function..

[@henryk2689]

One of the best videos I've seen on trim topic. thank you

[@trueblue6070]

I really appreciate your videos. Me and my wife just got our first boat and have had alot of anxiety about taking it out for the first time and your videos have educated me so much. Thank you again!

[@InsidertecPrapo]

The Mercury user manual says that in order to trim the engine correctly, perpendicular to the surface of the water, the steering wheel should not feel a tendency to overturn either to the left or to the right... but at the same time, when you want Go fast, turn the engine up a bit. Very good video, greetings from Argentina.

[@crawdaddct]

I was always taught when on plane, trim up till you hear the slight hollow noise. Then one click back down. That’s the sweet spot. Has worked great for 40 years. No issues.

[@BloominOnion1]

this is about boats, not planes. just kidding.

[@keithlucas8865]

Great info! I'd also add that on my sterndrive, in addition to the 'feel' of the boat, I can also tell by engine sound when I've hit the right amount of trim once I'm up on plane.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

yes it dose

[@blaster-zy7xx]

Good video. I figured out best trim on flat water by very closely watching the speedometer and trimming for best speed. I had that marked on my trim gauge. Then trim down slightly from that for more choppy water.

[@dougcanter670]

In calm water, after it gets on plane you can trim the motor watching the gauges where your getting the highest speed for the RPMs and you will notice you will also be getting the best MPG for your boat.

[@tokenfire111]

Wonderful video. Used to sail for some years and now for the first time started riding fast power boats. The concept of trimming the angle of attack of the prop is totally new to me and this video was extremely helpful. Super well explained and easy to follow, especially the details around over trimming and how to not rely on trim gauges

[@rolandh.8263]

Big Thank You! All the way from Germany. We're new stern drive boat owners on the Rhine river and my dealership rep never explained it to us properly. This definitely helps. Love the way you explain stuff.

[@austinthornley1272]

Excellent video. This is the 5th video I've seen on planing and this o's the best one so far

[@brianford9522]

Excellent summary, and great background info... now that I understand the physics I will be able to remember the right method at all times!

[@b.vonschnauser207]

Very informative, and very well explained. Thank you for posting!

[@researchcapt]

To trim your engine properly, tilt up until you maximize your speed which means your wetted surface area is minimized or until your propeller starts aerating, whichever comes first. If your propeller starts aerating, then tilt down a bit.

[@davidpope3972]

@@J.o.e_Khey, that’s how I listen too!

[@Natter20002]

I always forget to trim up my stern drive when I put it on the trailer but I’ve just been lucky not to hit the ground before I notice and trim it up (just as it emerges from the water. ). I need a huge red laminated card or some reminder to do that ! 😂. And since we’re sharing I need a reminder to put it down when I launch. Some other trim goodies I picked up this year as a new stern drive owner: the manual says to store it in the down position, even if it’s sitting for “a short storage duration “ so the bellows don’t “take a set” and stay bent in a tight angle. I see lots of boats sit for months with them fully tilted up for trailering. Also a friend of mine who worked hydraulics in the Air Force said hydraulics 101 is to store them with the ram retracted is best (so again trimmed down ). Try not to run a stern drive boat motor (I believe even in neutral ?) with the stern drive trimmed way up because it can be hard on the u-joint in there was another tid bit worth passing on I guess.

[@BMWE-hm7uz]

Obviously a year late. But I have a laminated card on mine . One side with all my boat details in prep for a may day or a pan call for either myself or, for if I'm thrown out, the passengers who might not necessarily be trained to be able to give out properly and because I'm a bit of a stickler, I have a checklist prior to and post leaving the mole on the reverse of that. You know what you're doing from memory anyway, but things can easily be forgotten and it's just a 5 second flick through, yes I have rope, yes I have anchor on board, clips, life vests, first aid kit etc.

[@craighellberg4366]

Your videos are so great! I am learning so much before I purchase my first pontoon boat. Thank you so much.

[@phillipchristensen3202]

Great video. Another good tip is to trim up to a slight positive angle when in reverse. Helps to pull the rear of the boat up making it easier to maneuver and you don't pull water over the transom.

[@Otto-k-1955]

Well done . Clear and comprehensive

[@darrenbennett4048]

I really love your videos. They are helpful, informative and explained easily for us simpletons. Thank you!

[@davidpenlington2753]

when mooring trim down to better manage marine growth causing problems. Thanks for the Vid, very well done.

[@Maynardd]

Every boat is different. My chaparral, bravo three would get its best performance (top speed )when I trimmed it up to 2. The trim range was between zero and four. On the gauge anyway. My tritune on the other hand gets its best top speed when trimmed to 1.2. But it gets its best miles per gallon at 23 miles an hour trimmed at 1.4. In the end, just spend a little bit of time figuring all of this out. Every boat is different.

[@AnIrishExport]

Thank you... I'm about to purchase my first (used) boat and this video on setting trim was very helpful

[@livergsp]

Used your video to explain to a friend that his Nitro Z7 has a hooked hull and he will never be on pad because his bow is being pushed down just like he had the trim fully Dow. Thank you

[@randysmith3654]

Just bought a boat...thankyou!

[@Davy-lf4cj]

Exactly what I needed to know. 👍🙂 Excellent video, excellent explanation very easy to understand

[@boatinglessons]

We appreciate the feedback! Any other topics you would like to see covered?

[@MrChipTalk]

Great video for a new boater. Thank you.

[@apackwestbound5946]

Thank you for this great tutorial! This is a clear explanation complete with visuals and thorough explanations that, for me, was a perfect blend of technical details without either getting so cerebral as to be on the level of the engineers designing these devices or dumbed down to the point where there is virtually no explanation of the physics or reasons for the particular recommendations. Well done!

[@trentmeidinger6160]

So glad I found your videos! Binging them now. You do a great job explaining everything. I’ve yet to have that “wait, what does that mean?” moment that can happen with how-to videos.

[@jimwhall6609]

Ugh, I have a 19 ft four winns and end up trimmed down most of the time. With 3-4 kids and tubing it just makes it easier. But even cruising even a little trim up has me porpoising. And remember to trim up before you pull the boat. :-)

[@ronscott2343]

Thanks for sharing this content on trimming the motor. Can you discuss using trim tabs in conjunction with trimming the motor?

[@stephs1571]

Thank you! I was just looking for that kind of info!

[@boatinglessons]

Our pleasure!

[@bertpoisson4227]

Trim is all about sound and feel!

[@jerrygarvey7257]

Can you do a video on trimming your outboard without a power trim very new to boating and just restored a 1972 glastron with 80 mercury and manual trim , love the videos. Thanks Jerry

[@charlieodom9107]

Get some tabs!

[@sharonbraselton4302]

buy jet oytbard eltric ytrim caroliñsa skiff ¹7 80 hp jet oytt biard

[@maryhoward3728]

Very good info, a professional.

[@naylorjr1]

Good clear explanation, thank you

[@Hazel66781]

Excellent job! Good information. Thank you!

[@tomdrummy4984]

Excellent video ! 👍

[@kerrycox6565]

Excellent description, thank you!

[@Superkeyruns]

Extremely good and helpful! Appreciated!

[@kevinnye6923]

You can tell that he actually wears that coast guard approved life jacket every time he goes out.

[@biggredd1034]

Great info. Much appreciated

[@Don-g5g5x]

I have a Honda and trim so the top of the motor is flat with the water, then fine trim from there it's a bit faster and seems pretty close

[@Nitrox4me]

After on a plane, I use my GPS speed and engine RPM. With the throttle at a fixed point, say 4200 RPM, I bump the trim to see the RPM come up slightly and the speed increase without a change in throttle position. I also watch the "wash" You want it to be just on the edge of cavitation, then trim it down a touch.

[@richqualls5157]

I agree with all your comments.

[@krisramos7453]

In my old 16.6’ aluminum with a 50 Yamaha the revs won’t get all the way up unless trim high enough. Theres a bunch of batteries and gas near the stern so the weight isn’t balanced. Because of this once you trim too high it’ll porpoise so you probably won’t over rev it. Great boat to learn on since there is no tachometer, no trim gauge, no anything. It’s all feel

[@G-Force_70]

Great segment, thank you.

[@roundsm18]

Interesting. Always had inboards. Debating building an outboard boat for screwing around with. Seems like this requires more thought.

[@ericneering6357]

Well, this might sound good but I’d like to meet you and put this into practice because I’ve been driving boats since I was 12 and it’s not true. I have Bennett trim tabs and I want them all the way down and then I want my motor at the top of its trim, and that gets me the best fuel mileage, RPMs and highest speed.

[@Ricossmft28]

I go by sound on trim all the way down I can hear my motor under more load as I trim up I get to a point where I hear the load release and my rpm’s start climbing more I usually leave it there until I stop again what I don’t know is if I keep going up more will I gain more speed or is the point I’m stopping at now the sweet spot and most ideal?

[@paulszabo8222]

Extremely helpful, thank you 👍

[@davidwelday3276]

Prospective new boater here, this info was gold! Thanks

[@KeithCunningham-hj7nd]

Great Tutorial. Thank You

[@danroseberry]

Helpful, thanks.

[@sailboatbob3969]

i always used sound. up on plane lift the engine. when it gets loud put it back down till noise goes away, found that gets the fastest speed. now you can leave it there, but if you slow down then want to go again, just going to take slighter longer to plane.

[@boatinglessons]

All of those things are true :)

[@erichemard7066]

Getting on step quicker has a lot more than just trimming the motor. Weight distribution, hull design, being under powered and let’s not get into prop pitch, cupping, 3 blade vs 4 blade. In my early years I bought an old 17’ whaler with a 75 Johnson. Would take 1000 yards to get on step, tried whale tails, trim tabs, jack plates…nothing helped. Sold the engine and repowered with a 90 merc with a 4 blade….blew the hull clean out of the water and was on step in 3 boat lengths. Learned a thing or two that day about being under powered and 4 blade props.

[@everythingbreaks247]

Great informative video.

[@robertm2172]

Great video

[@ramiromedrano1173]

Thanks!! 😂 I was riding all bad😅

[@MrLkelso]

Haven't seen any video's on how to raise the strern or skag without power! I have an older omc stern drive that i cant raise the outdrive on to move it to the shop! (Wiring issues) Any tips or tricks would be helpful!

[@williamcannon7622]

Would like to watch More boating lesson

[@janesigabaro7593]

I find it interesting how this is somehow different from what I learned about our ships in the Navy.

[@boatinglessons]

What were the lessons from the Navy?

[@ron8528]

Two different propulsion systems, and design of ship, boat, etc...

[@janesigabaro7593]

@@ron8528 yes

[@dwightaustin7577]

Great explanation

[@leroymorris6036]

great tutorial, thanks.

[@billkreitner9884]

How do trim tabs affect the use of the trim?

[@charlieodom9107]

Not much really. You still trim the exact same way. In most properly powered planing hulls, you'll want to trim till you porpoise, then add in tab to stop it. Exceptions to this are sea conditions, loading and balance, and speed. For example: if you are unbalanced, or listing, the tabs will be used to level first, then achieve proper trim, then tab down to eliminate porpoise. Another exception is in rough water, which is where tabs are most often under utilized. You still want to trim for max efficiency, then use the tabs to get a level ride, to prevent porpoise and pounding. Finally, tabs are most often severely undersized on boats, which make them far less effective at doing their job properly. High Performance boats will need a much longer chord than a cruiser or fishing boat of less performance, due to the fact that the plane (tab) needs more leverage and less drag to keep from hindering performance. The best way to understand proper use of tabs is to find a person who has a high performance boat and let them show you how they are supposed to be used. You'll find that nearly all people who use tabs on boats do it wrong.

[@ranger178]

with outboards almost everyone raises the motor out of water at marina to prevent corrosion and algae plus drain oil back in engine away from cylinders

[@TheTallRaver]

Great info!👍👍

[@boatinglessons]

Thank you!😊

[@seanfoley9055]

Hi, great videos I have a 2020 150 Yamaha 150xca and it bleeds down at the dock and underway and I have to keep adjusting the trim up as it bleeds down,my dealer says this is normal and that is why you need to put the engine rest bar down so it will not bleed down over night,i do not believe this is normal ,and they tell me that Yamaha will not warranty this, what is your input,thankyou

[@sandracrawn623]

I'm interested in but he said it needed new tabs from what I recollect that helps you steer the boat and maneuver the boat correct? Where are they located on a boat

[@phillipmckinnon6883]

Good info!

[@billkreitner9884]

On a small, 16 ‘ fairly flat bottomed flats boat when should I use the trim tabs as opposed to the trim on the engine?

[@sharonbraselton4302]

wróñg oñly big baits oñly

[@CTRadventures]

So this is a dumb question. I just bought my first outboard, a 88 ranger bass boat v393. When I trim down all the way and I can plane at approx 12-15 mph. Now when I am going slow like 4-8 or so mph the nose is up , seems to be normal, makes it a little more difficult to see while sitting driving but heck, for all I know it's normal.

[@armandde1]

The last thing you mentioned was to trim your motor all the way down to be ready for next time, but I've been always told to raise the lower unit out of the water each time you're done boating. Which is it?

[@lincolnnyquist3839]

if you leave it in the water it is fine to leave it down but if youre taking it out out of the water with a trailer you always need to trim it all the way up

[@silvajay6443]

also depends on water. I wouldn't leave anything down in salt water

[@CMacUF]

This guy is great

[@eduardocapmany1778]

Hi there ! Thanks for your technical guidance and savoir-affaire in boating issues. I have an Angler 22 with 2 x 250 HP VX series YAMAHA outbards. Quick question : Why is it so, that when I run the boat at mid power and press the trim button down, it clearly accelarates better...? I assume an electrical issue has to do, and if where shall I look to, in order to guarantee unstable electrical power to the spark plugs I pressume...?¡¡?

[@coolbreeze6329]

The other thing that happens too when you trim up too high you start to lose your steering that higher speeds

[@mikeb8688]

Really appreciate the info. thank you for sharing… how about mercury active trim is this something that is trustworthy? Again thank you for the info

[@wyldbill100]

....and for GOD'S SAKE....TRIM the motor fully up BEFORE taking the boat out of the water at the ramp! A skeg strike can be very costly!

[@dougdavis8986]

I don't think God cares

[@stevenmazzarella2399]

Does this apply to my 14 ft flat bottom john boat wth a 9.9 evinrude?

[@meseahunt]

So what’s the rules/tips for pontoons?

[@FTsingos]

Stupid question....how do trim tabs affect engine trim? I'm too dumb to think it out logically, but what little logic I have says that since trim tabs help keep the bow down, trimming engine up is less important, but you will still benefit from a slight engine trim.

[@wardevan33]

i love how he talks abt trim while showing footage of a v drive in operation

[@Dnman218]

Should you trim back down when you’re slowing down?

[@noelyeo4557]

Will a long shaft motor get you on the plane quicker than I short shaft motor in a 15 foot boat

[@sharonbraselton4302]

buy jet iutbarx

[@ranger178]

you try to have the cavitation plate come out even with bottom of boat long shaft is for taller transom boats

[@AnomalyTKRad777]

Great video,.... question. Does this also apply to a 30 foot 11,000 lb Bayliner Flybridge with a 7.4 sterndrive? I always use my trimtabs but this may be a new tweek. Not sure if the size and weight make a difference. You mention a 25 ft or greater pontoon boat will be different so thats why I was wondering about comparing to my boat. I can get on plane around 26/27 MPH. At about 1.25 MPG I am always looking at saving gas.

[@boatinglessons]

Thanks Thomas. Yes it applies to every boat in general, although the amount of improvement will vary. Your tabs help bring the bow down (getting on plane easier) and the drive trim lifts the bow once you are already on plane. Typically you would reduce your tab setting to (or close to ) zero before adjusting the drive trim up

[@sharonbraselton4302]

yes ñew 30 foot bayliñer fly brudg has 2 64 kw batery oaçk

[@paulharris5950]

Good info but would have benefited from visual show

[@emmanuelmeyermeyer1083]

I agree. Let's see some live action on the water.

[@shainewinter8264]

😂 "all rise" ok, let's watch the rest of the video 😅

[@tomulator]

What about tiller controlled outboards where you can’t make on the fly trim adjustments? Do you just leave the trim vertical or down and deal with it?

[@Redneckeverything]

Nice tutorial! Please though stop mixing up cavitation with ventilation, we need to stop this confusion at every opportunity before it spreads even more and ruin discussions all over the world 😊

[@knighthawk3559]

Wonder how many times he's been to court for dodgy boat repairs! 😂

[@skipmars7979]

A boat has "broken surface tension" 2:05 as long as it's in the water, even sitting still.

[@KingShadStarSeed9]

I thought you trim up to get on up on plan easier

[@thekehoeshow..]

I trim based off my GPS speed.

[@ericneering6357]

If you get cavitation, you went too far go down just a little bit

[@joshawageorge2122]

This guy doesn't even discuss about hydrofoils ,wholeshot or pushing weight .while pushing weight the trim may have to lifted a bit for compensation or the boat will plow and twist once the bow touches a swell this action actually causes the boat to twist and tends to roll

[@jasoncarter411]

Don’t forget to trim up before that trailer pulls you out of the water…

[@EASchmidtE]

Never put the boat in geat with the engine in the trailer position.