DP SM w/o trim/tilt limit - how far up?

[06dpsm]

My 2006 DP SM (on a chap sig 240) does not have a trim limit switch. So I don't know how far up it can be tilted -

I know there is a limit for full RPM, and I know there is another where you can scoot over sandbars, etc - at 1000RPM,
and yet another point beyond which it should not be operated at all.

So How do I know where these are, and don't say use the trim gage - mine has a faria with only 4 lines not much help at all.

I've heard it is 5 degrees above perpendicular for full speed? anyone confirm?

I've also heard that it is as long as the unit is within the pivot housing guide rails (this is about 1/2 on my gage) - which still leaves maybe a foot under the hull.

What about the point where the engine should not be run ? I've heard 40 degrees off perpendicular.


Also, anyone with a DP tell me if the "real trim range" is pretty small. I start to cavitate or porpoise with not much more than 1/8 trim on the gage.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: DP SM w/o trim/tilt limit - how far up?

Do you have your owner's manual? Mine talks about trim limits for the SX drive (trim range, beach range, trailer range). Yours probably gives you some ideas too.

Having said that, degree numbers wont help you much unless you want to sit there and take measurements and calculations. The easiest way, and the way I did it when I replaced my trim gauge, is to make a trial run and make notes of things:

At WOT, begin trimming up until you notice cavitating begin. Make note of where this is on your gauge. There's your trim range for WOT.

At idle speed, begin trimming up. When it gets high enough, the u-joints will start to make a loud distinguishable noise that isn't very pleasant. Make note of where this is on the trim gauge. That defines your beach range where operation under 1000 rpm is ok and where you need to be before starting the engine.

Almost everyone periodically forgets to trim down before starting the engine. Prolonged periods are not good for it, but a few seconds to determine a trim range won't hurt anything.

My SX-A has a small range that I can trim and not cavitate while at high speed. I think that's pretty normal.

 

[BILLDON]

Re: DP SM w/o trim/tilt limit - how far up?

I have a VP DP-SM drive. My manual says "Never run the engine when the drive is tilted more than 30 degrees or the drive will be damaged." My brother-in-law's boat sank a few years back in the Hudson River at a mooring slip. The cause was determined to be a damaged universal joint bellows caused by starting/running the drive in the tilted up position. The boat was a total loss. My boat doesn't have a tilt/trim gauge but it's in the water at a slip all summer with the drive down at all times. I am very cautious about determining the position of the drive before starting it. I Don't pull the boat out more than 1-2 times per season, however.

 

[Augoose]

Re: DP SM w/o trim/tilt limit - how far up?

...I know there is a limit for full RPM, and I know there is another where you can scoot over sandbars, etc - at 1000RPM, and yet another point beyond which it should not be operated at all...

Its not your drive exactly, but it will give you an idea.