Tilting out- How far can you go?

[KCLOST]

I'm in the process of really dialing in my boat and motor 1988 371V Ranger with a 175 merc...<br /><br />Anyway, I've moved the motor up some, played around with different props and such... But I'm kind of dumb when it comes to the tilt/trim system in general... I'll take a look at my manual and hopefully learn something new, but I thought I'd ask you also...<br /><br />Is there a tilt limiter on my system (when the boat is running). And if so, where is it and how does it work... And how much does it normally allow the motor to tilt out (in degrees I guess). Or are the two smaller cylinders only allowed to extend while cruising? I've always been a little nervous about tilting out too far, and I'm really concerned about the chance that my thumb will accidently hit the tilt switch on the throttle lever while running wide open, without knowing. Will a limiter, stop that from happening? <br />I have a tilt/trim guage that shows me how near the red I'm getting, but I've never gotten it close yet due to previous chine walking that occured. I believe I have resolved that after raising the motor....<br /><br />But my boat has no rooster tail at all! I would think it should after tilting out to a certain degree, but I have yet to see any sign of one yet... I'm just wondering how far out that motor should be able to go (generally) with my set-up.<br /><br />Thanks for any input on the tilt/trim system...

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Tilting out- How far can you go?

Yes, there is a limit, the two small cylinders will lift the engine only so far, I think the other cylinder only will activate if the engine is not in gear.<br /><br />Get up on plane at WOT and put your thumb on the trim button and leave it there untill one of three things happens.<br /><br />1. It will bottom out and you will have a roostertail (maybe) and the prop will not blow out.<br /><br />2. It will reach a point where you will loose bite and you will see an increase in RPM without an increase in speed, at that point you will have to trim back down a bit untill it hooks up again.<br /><br />3. You will have chine walk, which like you said, you probably fixwd with the raising of your engine. If it chine walks, you will have to raise your engine another hole.<br /><br />Like you always say, watch your water preasure.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Tilting out- How far can you go?

Thanks lube,<br /><br />I read my manual last night and it does have a limiter (which is good). I guess it will only go up to 20 degrees when running over 2000 rpms...<br /><br />I'll try out your scenario's....