dloftis

I've never been taught the correct way to use the drive trim. Anybody want to share their methods?

I was doing about 60 yesterday in some moderate chop. It seemed like the ride was pretty rough. I played with the trim, anywhere from full down to about halfway out, and it really didn't seem to affect the ride.

Any tips?

Thanks!

BajaBoss252

Generally speaking, you should start off with your trim all the way down until you get on plane. Once on plane trim the drive out (up) to create bow lift and gain speed. I run mine out until it starts to slip then back it back down a little. This would be the ultimate trim setting while under way. If the water gets choppy, trim your drive in a little to bring the bow down some to cut through the waves. It's also a good idea to trim in when making sharp turns so as not to encounter prop slip.

Hope this helps...

Ted

dloftis

Thanks! That's the brief summary I was looking for. Main question (which you answered) was whether to trim in or out in chop.

Thanks again!

Griff

Don't trim in/down TOO MUCH in rough water. You still want to want to stay on top of the waves. Trimming in/down too much will force the bow down too much and make the ride worse. It also helps to speed up and trim up a little to stay on top of the waves and smooths out the ride.

liquid asset

I used to have a hammer and it rode best in sloppy water all the way down because it would start bouncing if you try to trim up

dloftis

My experience so far (in 1-2' seas) is that the boat is a pretty rough ride regardless of trim setting. I've had 3 passengers plus myself every time I've been out, and nearly full (60 gals) gas.

Am I doing something wrong?

CigDaze

Hey dloftis,

The above advice is right on, but there is a limit to where you'll notice a difference or accomplish anything. When flying in flat water keep trimming up until you see speed increasing...When speed starts suffering or the prop begins ventilating, you trim back in a little, that's optimal trim for flat-out top speed. Remember that mark well. It will vary depending on loading, but not by much. When just cruising and the boat is sitting a little lower in the water than full WOT, trimming in some more will help some in keeping the prop and cavitation plate aligned with the water flow. When things start getting a little rougher still, trim down some more. This will help keep boat in the water with positive pressure on the bow(not slamming up and down). Neutral trim(almost all the way in) is your best bet.

It's generally not advisable to ride with the drive tucked all the way in because trim is now negative and is not aligned with water flow...In other words, you're plowing the bow through chop. You'll notice real quick as the boat will have a tendancy to nose in too much after breaking the crest of a wave.

There's not much more you can do in 2'ers to soften the ride...The hammer has a 21* deadrise at the transom which is conservative as far as "deep-vees" are concerned. It planes quicker, rides higher(faster), but it will inevitably be a rougher ride than traditional 24* vees.

outlaw02

I have a 20'outlaw that loves the trim. I get top end speed with trim just over half wayout. With your boat being small like mine it should react very well with the trim. When running wide open trim in, start trimming out it should feel like you hit the nos. button.

Baja_man

Nothing like re-visting an old thread.