07 35 EX drive trim question
 

I just got a 07 35EX with 496ho and on my performance report from fountain it says don't trim drives past 5.5. other boats I have trimmed out to 9 at WOT. Is this because of prop slip after 5.5 or will it hurt the drives to go beyond 5.5?

Stepped hull does not need a lot of positive trim to get lift, the step in an Executioner should aerate the hull enough to achieve top speed. Give it more trim than Reggie recommends and your'e wasting power trying to push the bow upwards instead of forwards. (I think that's what the owner's manual says) Makes sense if you think about it.


Have a play around on a nice weather day and see if the books are right?

RR

Love the 35 Ex. :):)

Over trimming puts extra strain on gimble bearings. If you have the right props on the boat and have a gps speedometer, you will see at cruise and WOT that over trimming will actually cost you speed. My 29 is a single engine setup, single large step running a bravo1 4 blade prop. I usually cruise around 3600rpm. I trim the boat to 3 on the indicator. Any more trim and I slowly start to loose speed. At WOT I usually run between 4-5. It depends on conditions. I always confirm where the boat wants to be trimmed using my gps speeds.

Is this your first stepped hull boat?

Follow the performance report you cant go wrong, i own the same boat 5.5 is all you need 79mph on gps

Yes this is my first stepped hull.

I'm also running stock 32 Maximus props.

Remember, steps were introduced to give the boat a better angle of attack, and provide lift. You don't need to overtrim to provide leverage to lift the hull out of the water; like you did on former straight bottom boats. Follow the warnings to a Tee, especially regarding trim settings when turning. You need to keep the transom planted in the water, and keep the boat flat.

Next time you are out with no one around you, set your throttles at 3500RPM exactly at while at your "5.5" or ideal trim setting per the Fountain factory report. Then move the trim up and then down 1/2 tick at a time, while watching your GPS speedometer decimals. You will find that the most efficient setting based on where you are going the fastest; is likely the 5.5; or close to it. I would also recommend you knowing exactly where "neutral" is on your trim setting for the drives on tabs, as this is likely where you want to be for rougher water. Remember you specific trim settings can adjust over time, as the cables can and do stretch, and your actuators can move fore and aft on the drive trim when drives are serviced. It's important to know all of these specifics.

This is a good video to watch and consistently refresh yourself with:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8Qzsf6aZpk

I also highly recommend the Tres Martin Performance Drive School:
http://www.performanceboatschool.com/

Last, remember that your boat was tested and the performance report written on a flat river, likely on a nice day, with NOTHING in the boat, minimal fuel, and likely only a driver. Your regular load of gear, coolers, parts, tools, passengers, luggage, lines, spare fluids, additional stereo, etc. etc. etc. etc. is different than the original "Pamlico pass".

32 Maxes on an EX with 496 Mags? What are your R,s at speed? I had a 99 single step, same hull, with fresh and strong 500's that ran labbed 28 Bravo 4 blades at 5400. You need to look at, or have someone, your set up.

Step bottom boats do not need to be trimmed to the moon, let the Reggie Report be your guide. In have owned two of these boats and believe me they know where of they speak!

The newer exes have lower gears to spin larger props. Spinning 32s but not a 1.5 ratio.

Some of the EX's were done with the 1.87 gears rather than the 1.50's and did run the 32's. They were 32 Bravo set ups.

My comment was in reference to the 32 Maximus props. Very unlikely that the 496's would be able to spin up a set of 32 Maximus props to the proper rpm range, even with the different gear ratio.