MikDee
Banned
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2007
- Messages
- 4,745
(Mods, I think this should be a sticky)
Us old salts know how to coax the most speed out of our engines. Some of you beginners, newbie's, or average boat owners don't know about this trick, or tip.
Once you're running on plane cruising, gradually trim up your drive as you watch your tach, & speedometer, you will usually see them go up, then listen for your prop starting to slip, when it does, gradually trim down a bit till the prop catches, then stop right there. That should be your optimum rpm, & speed at that throttle setting. Usually you'll pick up a few hundred rpm, and a few mph, how much depends on your boat design, engine condition, weight, & power. At WOT (wide open throttle) you will get the most benefit with this. In no time, this will become 2nd nature to you, and you'll be able to dial your boat in by the sound, & feel of it.
Once you slow down, or come off plane, your boat may settle into a bow high ride, just trim down as needed to correct this.This all will become 2nd nature to you also, by noting the sound, & feel of your boat.
We are kind of lucky to be able to do this, because a V-Drive, or inboard boat, does not have this
advantage!
So, don't go looking into changing props, adding hydrofoils, or trim tabs, modding your engine, or problems with your engine, until you've maxed out your engine first using this method. Thereby getting, and providing us with a true picture of the health of your engine first.
One more note, be sure anytime you're just starting out keep your trim all the way down, for best hole shot, and quickest on plane time!
Us old salts know how to coax the most speed out of our engines. Some of you beginners, newbie's, or average boat owners don't know about this trick, or tip.
Once you're running on plane cruising, gradually trim up your drive as you watch your tach, & speedometer, you will usually see them go up, then listen for your prop starting to slip, when it does, gradually trim down a bit till the prop catches, then stop right there. That should be your optimum rpm, & speed at that throttle setting. Usually you'll pick up a few hundred rpm, and a few mph, how much depends on your boat design, engine condition, weight, & power. At WOT (wide open throttle) you will get the most benefit with this. In no time, this will become 2nd nature to you, and you'll be able to dial your boat in by the sound, & feel of it.
Once you slow down, or come off plane, your boat may settle into a bow high ride, just trim down as needed to correct this.This all will become 2nd nature to you also, by noting the sound, & feel of your boat.
We are kind of lucky to be able to do this, because a V-Drive, or inboard boat, does not have this
advantage!
So, don't go looking into changing props, adding hydrofoils, or trim tabs, modding your engine, or problems with your engine, until you've maxed out your engine first using this method. Thereby getting, and providing us with a true picture of the health of your engine first.
One more note, be sure anytime you're just starting out keep your trim all the way down, for best hole shot, and quickest on plane time!
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