power trim and tilt

[bigmike35]

what is it

[Poly]

expensive but worthwhile!

It is a way of raise or lowering the engine by flicking a switch at the console. With a reasonably big engine tilting it up (e.g. for launcing, beaching, shallow water etc) is hard work so this takes the effort out. Then there is trim - fine ajustments of the transom-engine angle which allow you to alter the engine trim and therefor the trim of the boat (to raise or lower the bow). This can be used to help get the boat on the plane or to help grip in sharp fast turns.

The bigger the engine the more important it becomes. The more likely you are to do things which alter the boat trim (e.g. differnet loads, weather conditions, or towing skiers) also make it more important. I guess where/how you keep the boat also influences the need - keep it in a marina might be less important than launching from a slip.

[Tim M]

Trimming out/up can also help u gain a few extra knots.....

[Simon Hawkins]

Trim.

It does what is says on the tin. Can increase performance of the boat, but too much can give you chine walk. The idea is to reduce the wetted area under the boat to give you better performance and economy.

Trim is more importantly used, in the prevailing sea conditions. If you are heading into a head sea then you will want the engine to be trimmed in to allow the hull to cut through the water. In following seas you will need to trim the engine out to lift the bow so as to prevent the boat from going into the back of the next wave. Dont think this method will resolve this problem as there are many other factors to consider when helming your boat in such condtions.

Simon