Is tilt/trim necessary?

[Trktrd]

I'm new to pontoons and haven't had a chance to slpash mine yet since restoring it. Everything has been repaired or replaced except the trim pump. Is there any advantage using the trim while underway? A pontoon isn't exactly a planing hull. Clearance while on the trailer isn't an issue and judging by the waterline on the toons it should float in 2 feet of water. Previous owner never used it (obviously), Just curious if it is worth fixing.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Is tilt/trim necessary?

use it all the time on my buddies pontoon, especially in shallow water with obstacles. is it necessary - probably not. is it something that is dang handy and useful - yes.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Is tilt/trim necessary?

You definitely want to get it working if you can. You can use it to raise/lower the front to compensate for heavier or lighter front loads when under way, and when you want to beach the barge you can goose the throttle then kill the motor and trim it up to glide in. Plus, it's just a matter of time until you'll need it to extricate yourself from a shallow flat or something, especially as low as the water is around here. Don't ask me how I know that...........:facepalm:

 

[MinUph]

Re: Is tilt/trim necessary?

If its there get it fixed. Comes in handy all the time. 2' of water is twice as much as I have to get out sometimes. Above comments tell it well.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Is tilt/trim necessary?

As the others said it is really nice to have, you don't say what boat/engine you have but unless it is a big hp engine tilt won't make a whole lot of difference in how the boat runs but the shallow water thing is abig one depending on where you run.

If you can fix it do because it is nice to have but certainly not necessary.

 

[newbie4life]

Re: Is tilt/trim necessary?

Our pontoon didn't come with it -- and to buy it would have been $450 thru ebay... so in parting out my old boat, I pulled off the trim pump and a cylinder. I love it. Sure it worked ok without, but no, we have no problems like dragging the skeg up the landing... ugh.. that was a bad day.

 

[Trktrd]

Re: Is tilt/trim necessary?

Looks like I'll be ordering a seal kit.

 

[emoney]

Re: Is tilt/trim necessary?

It's a lot like air conditioning in a car; not necessary to drive, but sure is nice to have. The beauty about trim, in your case, is you don't have to wait until it's fixed to launch your boat. You can always repair it as time and funds are available. Plus, it adds to the value should you choose to trade or sell your boat later on down the road.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Is tilt/trim necessary?

My boat is 40 years old and doesn't have trim. I get along fine without it.

 

[Nightfisher-]

Re: Is tilt/trim necessary?

I don't have it either, but mine is just an old 50hp Johnson and I can lift it manually if I get into trouble. I would like to have it though. If I can find one cheap or salvage I would definitely jump on it.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Is tilt/trim necessary?

Tilt/trim is about as useful as power steering. sure, you can steer the car w/o it, but once you have it, you never want to go w/o.

 

[Trktrd]

Re: Is tilt/trim necessary?

If I do get into a bind somehow, How would I manually raise the motor? I can move it a couple inches but that's it. It is an Evinrude 40 hp, 1989.