How To Trim Your Boat - Basics Of Boat Trim | BoatUS

This video shows you the basics of boat trim. It walks you through how to use the power trim on your outboard or sterndrive to your advantage; what it means to trim the boat up and trim it down; and how this affects the ride and efficiency. For more information, visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Magazine. BoatUS Magazine is the flagship publication of the Boat Owners Association of The United States. The award-winning publication is delivered bimonthly to more than half a million BoatUS members and focuses on boating news, boating lifestyle, destinations, how-to, maintenance, and more. Connect with us: Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/BoatUS Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoatUS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boatus/ Google+: https://plus.google.com/+boatus/posts Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/boatus/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boatus

How To Trim Your Boat - Basics Of Boat Trim | BoatUS sentiment_very_dissatisfied 48

Boat 10 years ago 595,258 views

This video shows you the basics of boat trim. It walks you through how to use the power trim on your outboard or sterndrive to your advantage; what it means to trim the boat up and trim it down; and how this affects the ride and efficiency. For more information, visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Magazine. BoatUS Magazine is the flagship publication of the Boat Owners Association of The United States. The award-winning publication is delivered bimonthly to more than half a million BoatUS members and focuses on boating news, boating lifestyle, destinations, how-to, maintenance, and more. Connect with us: Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/BoatUS Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoatUS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boatus/ Google+: https://plus.google.com/+boatus/posts Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/boatus/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boatus

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Most popular comments
for How To Trim Your Boat - Basics Of Boat Trim | BoatUS

justsomeguy
justsomeguy - 8 years ago
I'm just getting my first boat and have watched about 10 videos on trimming and yours is the best I have watched yet. Take my thumbs up!
Clinton Thomas
Clinton Thomas - 6 years ago
I am just getting into boating and this video is very informative thank you
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 6 years ago
Thanks so much, Clinton, and welcome to boating! Glad we can be part of your education. Make sure to subscribe to our channel to get notified when we post helpful new how-to, maintenance, and boat handling videos--about once a week. Plus we also have more than 100 already in our library that you might find useful.
Fishing Alabama Waters
Fishing Alabama Waters - 6 years ago
2018 and still learning from your video getting my first boat tomorrow and I had no clue what trim was so I started watching a bunch of videos that was not helpful but this one was perfect thanks! Fish On Baby!
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 6 years ago
Thanks for watching! We're glad to hear these videos were helpful for you.
drumm3r28
drumm3r28 - 6 years ago
fantastic job guys. But we got to get a new sound guy
Flyninja 99
Flyninja 99 - 6 years ago
Very basic but lots of knowledge ty man for video
R Woods
R Woods - 6 years ago
Thanks for this, I mainly use boat in the Solent ( Portsmouth UK ) and due to the southwesterly winds it can change from calm to lumpy in no time at all. I found your video very informative. Looking forward to trying the "trim down" in lumpy seas.
damirjon1
damirjon1 - 6 years ago
Thanks for this tips
Spirited Driver
Spirited Driver - 7 years ago
Yup, pretty much how i explain the operation to my customers as well.
...And in general most boats are going to be on plane at 3000RPM and up, so safe to say on the majority of boats to have the trim all the way down/in when under 3000RPM and as you increase speed and RPM the boat & engines will want more trim up/out (until porpoising).
Sal Palos
Sal Palos - 7 years ago
bought my 1st boat last month. I have 0 boating experience. I only have a 50hp motor....but your videos are invaluable and have helped me greatly to know what to expect and what to do. Ive watched several of your videos, and they were all well explained and simplified for a novice like me.

Thanks.

10. comment for How To Trim Your Boat - Basics Of Boat Trim | BoatUS

paul goodier
paul goodier - 7 years ago
Good vid.....I'm completely new so checking as many vids as pos...thx
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Thanks for watching, Paul! Check out our channel for many more helpful how-to videos. We'll be adding even more over the next few weeks.
overexposurevideo
overexposurevideo - 7 years ago
very clear video ! even helps me with the manual trimming ( don't have electric trim )
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Thanks for watching!
ColinW
ColinW - 7 years ago
Great explanation, Thanks a lot.
Bob Bob
Bob Bob - 7 years ago
very video sir.
nobody46820
nobody46820 - 7 years ago
Very clear and helpful!
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Thanks for watching!
s8peed
s8peed - 7 years ago
nice
Will Congdon
Will Congdon - 7 years ago
You wear a fanny pack like that you will get no trim
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Hi Will. While it's not the most stylish, the "fanny pack" you're referring to is actually a belt pack-style life jacket. If the wearer were to go overboard, he or she would pull the cord, which will inflate it. While the wearer must manually don the life jacket after inflation, it's lightweight and addresses many of the excuses people give for not wearing life jackets--too hot, too heavy, ruins my tan, etc. If you want to see the various options available or read up on them, our partners at West Marine have quite a few options available: https://www.westmarine.com/search?Ntt=belt+pack
TheInkinJapan
TheInkinJapan - 7 years ago
Before watching this, I would have used hedge clippers.
asudavew
asudavew - 7 years ago
Thanks. Best trim informational video I’ve found
Charles L
Charles L - 7 years ago
I agree with your video however leaving the trim where you had it then stopping and accelerating again might make for a surprise. Newbies need to know that... but good vid

20. comment for How To Trim Your Boat - Basics Of Boat Trim | BoatUS

Fstarocka Burns
Fstarocka Burns - 7 years ago
2.6 what, gallons / hour? thanks! great explanation!
Matt D
Matt D - 7 years ago
Thanks for the video. Great set of instructions.
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Congrats on purchasing your new boat! We have tons of great videos to help you learn, and you may also find our "New To Boating" section of our website helpful: http://www.boatus.com/newtoboating/
Matt D
Matt D - 7 years ago
I just bought my first boat and don't really have anyone to learn from. All of your videos about boating have been very helpful. Maybe I won't look like such a noob when I go to put it in the lake on Sunday. Thanks again!
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Thanks for watching.
Solidus
Solidus - 7 years ago
Does this change on a catamaran and what about if your boat has trim tabs i always just run with engines down and use trim tabs to adjust tilt
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Catamarans are a bit different, as the narrow hulls are often designed to cut through the water rather than ride on top, so trimming up is less beneficial in many cases. It really depends on the design. You certainly can control trim using the tabs the same way that an inboard-powered boat does. You just might be giving up a bit of efficiency that way. Thanks for watching.
Charman Herter
Charman Herter - 7 years ago
best video on trimming your boat
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Thanks for watching!
Rockfield Langley
Rockfield Langley - 7 years ago
good video!
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Thanks for watching!
travis ongley
travis ongley - 7 years ago
does this technique work with a 12 foot flat bottom aluminum boat, 15 horse merc?
pfcdre1
pfcdre1 - 7 years ago
thanks learned something useful
Kia Rio
Kia Rio - 7 years ago
why do you want your motors trimmed down when you start because it seams like its making it harder on the motors or does it help because they are deeper in the water keeping the props way down to keep in contact with lots of water to push against
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Hi, thanks for your inquiry. Trimming the motors down at launch helps keep the bow down and lessens the amount of time the boat takes to climb over the bow wave.
mburke1211
mburke1211 - 7 years ago
Thumbs up! Thorough explanation.
Charles Israel
Charles Israel - 7 years ago
wow! I lucked up with the right video. thanks!
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
You're welcome! We're glad it was helpful. Happy boating.

30. comment for How To Trim Your Boat - Basics Of Boat Trim | BoatUS

Jrezky
Jrezky - 7 years ago
Audio balance is off, you may want to check the levels next time.
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Sorry about that. Thanks for the suggestion!
matko990
matko990 - 7 years ago
How should the trim be set when the boat is not on plane, for example, if it's set at level with the boat at 10 knots and the stern "squats down" (large wake behind the prop), should you bring the trim up down or keep it level? Also, when on plane, can you simotaniously trim up and throttle down, since the RPM's rise on their own and you don't intend to go full speed? Thanks for the video.
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
If your boat is squatting and throwing a large wake, it’s because you’re exceeding the hull speed of the boat, and the boat is trying to climb over the bow wave. Engine trim alone won’t cause this effect. When the boat is not on plane and traveling below hull speed, neutral engine trim is the most efficient, as the thrust from the motor is in line with the boat’s motion.

You can trim up and throttle down at the same time if you have a good feel for your boat. Most people find it a bit easier to perform these actions separately at least at first until they understand how the boat will react.
clay dennett
clay dennett - 7 years ago
will this work with outboard jet drive . my boat just started porpoising at high speed
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Clay, I'd try trimming down if your boat is porpoising, but props create lift along with thrust. Jet drives create thrust in a different way so trim may not be as effective as a weight shift.
thecosmicsnail
thecosmicsnail - 7 years ago
Did you ever see that deadhead you came very close to?
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Thanks for pointing that out. Definitely something you have to be careful of.
Don Rubie
Don Rubie - 7 years ago
Excellent and easy to understand video, thank you..
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
You're welcome, Donald. Glad it was helpful.
Barry Olech
Barry Olech - 7 years ago
I'm from Australia Queensland thanks found it very lnformative and easy to comprehend l have a relatively new boat with a new yamaha 70 hp best I've heard it explained thanks again!
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
You're welcome, Barry! Glad this was helpful.
marcus mcc
marcus mcc - 7 years ago
thanks very helpfull.!!
ADRIAN GLOVER
ADRIAN GLOVER - 7 years ago
Totally confused!, how is decreasing the engine revs making the boat "not happy" and not saving fuel?, just wondering.
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 7 years ago
Adrian, for greatest efficiency, you want the most speed possible at a given RPM. If you leave the engines trimmed in (down) all the way, the boat hull will have more area in contact with the water, increasing the drag. Yes, the lower RPM means less fuel burn, but in this case also at the cost of slower speed. You can actually trim up, let the RPM (and speed) come up on their own, and then back down the throttles to a lower RPM, and achieve the same or greater speeds, and therefore greater efficiency. I know, it sounds counter intuitive, but it’s all down to reducing the drag when you trim up. If you listen to your motor and watch your speed carefully, you should be able to find a happy combination.
Jonathan Capestany
Jonathan Capestany - 7 years ago
My Yamaha 225 saltwater series have a 4 prop blades........jesus, no wonder I always burning too much fuel. I'm eagered to test this myself. thanks for sharing
al dixon
al dixon - 8 years ago
Very well done and informative! Thank you!
Chris Preston
Chris Preston - 8 years ago
very informative thanks I am new to boats and this helped
Tee
Tee - 8 years ago
great vid, going to be a boat owner down her in midwest florida and i can really put this to use thanks alot
Andy Sneed
Andy Sneed - 8 years ago
Any body can answer, but do you trim after you have gotten plane. It makes more sense that way.
Gigi spearman
Gigi spearman - 8 years ago
Thank you!
William Lobach
William Lobach - 8 years ago
This really made it easy to understand for a newbie. I appreciate the time you took to explain the sweet spot between staying flat and the bow bouncing too much.
Connor Black
Connor Black - 8 years ago
My left ear really enjoyed the video
Paul S
Paul S - 7 years ago
I cut the cord on my headphones so I only have my right ear. I have no idea what you, or he, are talking about...
Jose Martinez
Jose Martinez - 8 years ago
great training on trim up and down thanks for great tips Robert
H Peterson
H Peterson - 8 years ago
So glad I'm a card member! This video was perfect! I'm a sailor and never used a powerboat trim but this boat explained it perfectly
Edward English
Edward English - 8 years ago
I have a 17.5 Palm Beach Bay Boat with a Yamaha 70, 2 stroke.  After rising above the bow wake I trim up and glance at the spray from my motor.  as the boat trims and flattens you can see the spray drop and flatten to the water level and the boat speed increases.  If it is trimmed down to far it will create an arc of water spray from each side of the motor. As it trims flatter that arc will flatten.  I can't say if the same thing happens with a multi engine set-up though.
Sven N
Sven N - 8 years ago
Nice video! Thanks for this.
I found out i was doing it wrong al the time. I always trim all the way down and give full throttle haha.
Does the topspeed become higher when you trim up when at full throttle?
//Sorry for my bad English.\\
Len Lester
Len Lester - 8 years ago
Sven N
Lanny Vrooman
Lanny Vrooman - 8 years ago
I have watched several of your video's and have gained some insight but I still have a several questions.   1.  When you have trim tabs in addition to the engine trim  what is the procedure for trimming the boat out of the hole and on plane?  2.  Are trim tabs up and adjust engine for out of hole (all way down) then adjust engine as you come on plane then adjust trim tabs?  3.  Once on plane is it better to adjust trim tab like your video (just to the point the boat begins to porpoise then back off to eliminate) the adjust engine for best rpm?
Sven N
Sven N - 8 years ago
Thank you for fast reply!
I'm gonna try it as soon as i'm in my boat again.
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 8 years ago
Sven - Yes, most boats can't reach top speed without the engines being trimmed up significantly. Often, it's the only way to get an outboard all the way to its Wide Open Throttle (WOT) limit.

50. comment for How To Trim Your Boat - Basics Of Boat Trim | BoatUS

Lowriders PerfectVision
Lowriders PerfectVision - 8 years ago
Ive never had a boat with T&T until i bought a bass boat last week & have yet to get it on the water but ,, I Learned alot just from the video......
Dylan James
Dylan James - 8 years ago
By far the best video on trimming. I've watched quite a few. Thanks.
bauer10943
bauer10943 - 8 years ago
Great video and explanation of trim excellent and very simple.
Ray Brown
Ray Brown - 8 years ago
great video I haven't had a boat for a long time so it really help me remind me things I have forgotten thanks so much
Thad Aaron
Thad Aaron - 8 years ago
What about trimming with non-electric (manual) trim adjustment?
carlrx7
carlrx7 - 8 years ago
2.6 ghp fuel flow at what rpm?
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 8 years ago
+carlrx7 Around 3800 rpm.
Mike Littau
Mike Littau - 8 years ago
excellent video. thank you.
razorsharpbt
razorsharpbt - 8 years ago
Having the outboard properly trimmed can also make the steering much easier.
OutOfTheBlue Fishing
OutOfTheBlue Fishing - 8 years ago
Is this only for outboards or same thing for stern drive engines as well?
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 8 years ago
+LadyDeeFishing Providing the boot is in good condition trimming the sterndrive unit will not rip the boot. Boots are made so that they bend and flex within the full range of the outdrive trim parameters. However boots do not last forever and should be visually checked at least a couple of times each season. If they show any signs of fatigue or cracking they should be replaced without delay.
OutOfTheBlue Fishing
OutOfTheBlue Fishing - 8 years ago
+BoatUS So the main idea is to keep the boat trimed within half trim right? If you go over then you may rip the boot on a sterndrive.
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 8 years ago
+LadyDeeFishing Same idea for sterndrives.
Peter James
Peter James - 8 years ago
Good clear tuition on the basic technique of trimming the engines
Mick Wolf
Mick Wolf - 8 years ago
now i understand, thank you for the great demo :)
Noel Johnson
Noel Johnson - 8 years ago
Great video, Helped me out understanding trim much better.
Adam Clemens
Adam Clemens - 8 years ago
perfect demonstration
drnh4444
drnh4444 - 8 years ago
This is the most helpful video to a new boat owner like myself. Thanks very much
Jason Morrison
Jason Morrison - 9 years ago
fantastic
Frank di LEO
Frank di LEO - 9 years ago
Good visual demo!!!
Jonathon Slavtcheff
Jonathon Slavtcheff - 9 years ago
Cool vid! Beautiful boat! been in love with center consoles after i  moved to the gulf
Howard Boyer
Howard Boyer - 9 years ago
Good video, but what's the deal with the fanny pack?
louis vagias
louis vagias - 8 years ago
Gay
Alinda Johnson
Alinda Johnson - 8 years ago
qvc
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 9 years ago
That's a belt-pack lifejacket, +Howard Boyer
Madtanker
Madtanker - 9 years ago
Could you do this with a hydraulic lift for lifting/trimming the motor. Im worried it will damage the hydraulics
BoatU.S.
BoatU.S. - 9 years ago
+Madtanker The hydraulic rams on an outboard or sterndrive are designed expressly for this purpose. On an outboard, there are two mechanisms: Trim and Tilt. The first trims the engine while it’s running, and the other completely raises the lower unit out of the water when it’s not in use. Both are controlled by the button on the throttle lever. If you keep trimming up, the trim ram reaches its limit of travel, and the tilt rams kick in to raise the outboard up completely.

If you are referring to a hydraulic jackplate, that moves the entire outboard up and down vertically on the transom, that usually has a separate stalk on the dash, behind the steering wheel like on a car, and has a completely different purpose.
John Carroll
John Carroll - 9 years ago
Good video, I think I got that. Went out on my Rib 4.9 meter 75 hp and had it trimmed down and it kept pulling to the right, I guess I should have had it trimmed up more.
john palma
john palma - 9 years ago
at your rate of speed you could go around the world in no time.
Carl Axon
Carl Axon - 9 years ago
Love your videos, I'm a new motorboater and you explain things in detail and in a simple understandable manner, Thankyou.
ryguy ryguy
ryguy ryguy - 7 years ago
Lol.  Motorboater
Lisa Spears
Lisa Spears - 9 years ago
Would this also apply to a 19' single engined Sea Cat?
Lisa Spears
Lisa Spears - 9 years ago
Okay, but what about cruising along. should I trim the engine to get the results you spoke of in the video? I also watched your trim tab video, which my boat has. Do trim tabs have any effect on take off for a sea cat?  Thanks
d3adl0ck3d
d3adl0ck3d - 9 years ago
Would you still apply this when wakeboarding with a sterndrive deck boat?
d3adl0ck3d
d3adl0ck3d - 9 years ago
+BoatUS YouTube Thanks
Jason Taylor
Jason Taylor - 9 years ago
well explained   one of the best trim vids
FlyingDutchmanHans
FlyingDutchmanHans - 9 years ago
Great video!
Trevor Stagi
Trevor Stagi - 9 years ago
i watched the whole thing looking for trim and not even a bikini. 
kelvin bungard
kelvin bungard - 9 years ago
One of the best videos and well explained, thank you.
Stopthegreed
Stopthegreed - 10 years ago
Thanks
Omar Khamis
Omar Khamis - 10 years ago
very useful video
nound tatin
nound tatin - 10 years ago

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