new to boating - how do you use a maual tilt

[red_chaser]

I am new to boating. I have a '77 16ft vip. It has an outboard engine and the tilt is manual. You have to lift the motor, remove the bottom locking pin and insert in a new position to change the engine angle.

How do you use the trim? When do you need it tilted forward or back?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: new to boating - how do you use a maual tilt

You apparently don't have trim. You set the pin in the hole that gives you a happy medium between a good hole shot and good planing.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: new to boating - how do you use a maual tilt

You apparently don't have trim. You set the pin in the hole that gives you a happy medium between a good hole shot and good planing.

Yup, guess and check, and you find the sweet spot...that spot changes depending on the current situation!!

Wow, I remember my times with manual "trim" lol. When I got my first boat with the hydrolic trim, it was the best feeling...of course, now I expect cup holders and stereo's in my boats...I probably had more fun back in the day when everything I did on the boat was manual...

 

[red_chaser]

Re: new to boating - how do you use a maual tilt

When will I know when I've hit the sweet spot? What am I looking for?

 

[mjwendorf]

Re: new to boating - how do you use a maual tilt

I would start where the motor is at a 90 to the boat. Then move it up to the next one and see how it handles. The last few motors I have run like this have ran best one up from 90. If you go to far when you get on the gas the nose will go straight up and not plane out. Also some motors have what I call a shallow drive. It?s where you lift the motor up and a plate falls down and trims the motor up for running at slow speeds in shallow water.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: new to boating - how do you use a maual tilt

When will I know when I've hit the sweet spot? What am I looking for?

It changes, depends on what your doing...eg. trolling shallows, trying to get a skier up. Depends on water conditions...choppy, calm. Also depends on the boat. More time in the water and you'll start to feel your boat when it's in the sweet spot.

As said by the previous post, one or two up from perpendicular (the bottom hole) will probably get pretty close...

 

[red_chaser]

Re: new to boating - how do you use a maual tilt

It changes, depends on what your doing...eg. trolling shallows, trying to get a skier up. Depends on water conditions...choppy, calm. Also depends on the boat. More time in the water and you'll start to feel your boat when it's in the sweet spot.

As said by the previous post, one or two up from perpendicular (the bottom hole) will probably get pretty close...

What works better for trolling shallows vs getting a skier up? I imagine that tucking the motor in will help me lift the back of the boat enabeling it to plane easer. Is that correct?
So would the motor tucked in would be better for a skier? Would that also help me in getting out of a shallow spot, allowing the boat to plane faster?

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: new to boating - how do you use a maual tilt

You really just have to spend time with it. Trimmed in (down) will help with hole shot. Trimmed out (up) will help top speed. If you trim up too far, you will cavitate on take off, and the boat won't plane. If you leave it too far down, the bow will plow water and you'll lose top end. You are shooting for somewhere in the middle that corresponds with the boat setup, the conditions, and your particular use. Start neutral (90 deg) and try it out. Figuring it out on the water is much more fun than trying to figure it out at the keyboard.

 

[emilsr]

Re: new to boating - how do you use a maual tilt

We used to keep moving it out until the boat would porpoise at wide open throttle (or was difficult to get on plane), then move it back in a notch. I have no idea if this is the "right" way, but it worked for me for many years (and boats). Once it's set you shouldn't have to mess with it again.

You're looking for a compromise between holeshot and top speed....can't have both without adjustable trim on the fly. Relax, and enjoy the boat!