Boating Basics - A few Questions & Advice

[marcoalza]

Hi, My first post to iBoats which I have been reading for some time now since purchasing my Q4 SF.
Can the experienced out there please give me some advice.
I have learnt a great deal by reading previous posts but need help on trim.

Can you explain in laymans terms how to trim and what to watch for?
What is the goal of trimming?
The person who sold me the boat said to keep it down at all times?
What to do in different conditions?

The only thing I know at the moment is to raise it when close to the beach!

I will appreciate your help.

Thanks......

 

[mandopickr]

Re: Boating Basics - A few Questions & Advice

I have a q6, but the operation of the trim is the same. I trim down when I start off. As I plane off, I start trimming up. As you trim up, the boat will rise. This reduces the amount of boat in the water, which reduces drag.

I trim up and watch the speed and the rpms. Speed will rise at a given rpm as you trim up, but as some point speed will fall. Back off of the trim slightly at this point. This is the most efficient setting for that rpm, and the current water conditions.

If your boat starts to porpoise, then trim back down slightly. Typically if the water gets rough, you'll have to trim back so that more of the hull will be in the water.

This is an oversimplification, but others will add more.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Boating Basics - A few Questions & Advice

Thanks for the basics. I look forward to others adding their advice.

 

[mccownk]

Re: Boating Basics - A few Questions & Advice

Hi there, mandopicker pretty much nailed it. The only comment I could add is, instead of watching the speed and rpm, you can trim by ear. Trim up until the rpm's start to take off and the prop starts to cavitate. Trim back down a little at this point and also watch for the boat to start to porpoise. Trim down to eliminate the porpoising. If you haven't read about smart tabs in this forum, check it out. You will get better performance and help reduce porpoising and slow speed wander. Enjoy!

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Boating Basics - A few Questions & Advice

Thanks for all your responses.

I am really looking forward to getting out soon and putting all the advice to good practice.

Great Forum, thanks again.

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: Boating Basics - A few Questions & Advice

One of the best things I would suggest is a boaters saftey course for a new boater, it sounds like you could use some help with the basics. We all were there once and iBoats has been a great help for me, but the course I took helped a bunch. Safe boating.