Couple of boat setup questions

[svilla]

I have a 88 18' SunBird Euro II with a 175Hp V6.<br /><br /> I am new to I/O's so here are some things that I have noticed and need to address.<br /><br />1. Is it ok to trim an I/O? I have read that you trim it all the way down and go is this correct?<br /><br />2. This boat picks the bow way up befor it gets onto plan. So much that I have to stand up to see in front of the boat. I hate this and want to fix it should I go with a set of tabs?<br /><br />3. When I encounter a boat and cross there wake my boat will porpose pretty bad. Would tabs fix this as well.<br /><br />4. What are the pro's and con's of useing a fixed tab system verse fully adjustable besides cost.

 

[DJ]

Re: Couple of boat setup questions

svilla,<br /><br />Yes you can trim an I/O. Just don't run much above an idle with it trimmed up beyond its trim range. You should have a trim guage.<br /><br />Tabs will definetely help with your porpoising. Adjustable tabs have many uses, not only trimming up and down, they can trim side to side.<br /><br />The tabs will also help with your excess bow rise.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Couple of boat setup questions

Svilla;<br /><br />Your boat is typical of any Stern loaded (Outboard or I/O0 boat. The balance is to the rear 1/3rd of the boat which creates a long and effective leverage arm from the balance point forward. This makes the boat very suseptable to bow lift either on take off or when on plain through waves. Do a search on this site for topics on Trim Tabs and Smart Tabs. You will find that you are not alone and that there are good solutions. Permanently fixed trim plates on the hull or outdrive can help the boat to plain (simply because the is additional planing surface) but they can cause the boat to run bow down once on plane as they continue to lift the stern. Bow steering can be uncomfortable at minimum, and will reduce the top end.