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Name:	4lakelivn -	Reply
Subject:	Proper Pontoon Trim
Date:	7/28/2009 10:33:51 AM

I have a 25 ft. pontoon and have a question about the proper trim position (I know this is a maintenance forum, but Lake Martin Topics does not seem like the right place either). I've been told by a long time pontoon owner that trim is not to be messed with much. Originally, I just put it in the middle and rode, then saw that by changing the position I could regulate the bow and get it to rise. If you're wondering why I would want to make it rise, the race home after Aquapalooza was one of those occactions. I was worried about taking a nose dive if the bow was too low based on the ocean like waves being thrown off by all the boats. Also, when exploring a few weeks ago, I got in a low area and the silt stopped the prop/motor. I have to raise it significantly to get out of that place.

So what is the best? Just leave it in the middle or adjust for different conditions. Thanks for any help - I'll just sit back and lurk.

Name:	Graypa -	Reply
Subject:	Proper Pontoon Trim
Date:	7/28/2009 3:16:58 PM

I usually just leave my motor trimmed level. That normally will take care of the weight on the front. It also seems to ride over the water and not push it. However my boat is only 22 foot.

Name:	Caht1 -	Reply
Subject:	Proper Pontoon Trim
Date:	7/28/2009 5:41:35 PM

I am no pontoon expert but I would think you need to adjust the trim based on speed and load. You should be able to feel the differnce as you trim the motor to feel how the toons are cutting the water. But like I said, I am no toon expert.

Name:	Maverick -	Reply
Subject:	Proper Pontoon Trim
Date:	7/28/2009 7:11:56 PM

Yes trim your pontoon to get the front toons out of the water as long as your prop will not blow out of the water when make a quick maneuver as if it does then this is a big issue.

On my tritoon I can trim the motor to full trim per the gauge and the prop is still well in the water. But I only trim to 3/4 most of the time as like that safety factor. So how I figured such out was while parked at the dock I trimmed the motor 1/4 then checked the foot to see where it was in terms of depth, then trimmed to 1/2, checked foot again, then 3/4 per the gauge then 100% per the gauge. Then once I felt I could go to 100% trim per the gauge I went out and tested the tritoons performance at 1//2, then 3/4, then full trim all while maneuvering the boat in sharp turns, etc.

I was taught year ago is you know you have trim right when you begin to trim and you see th RPM's jump, then you are trimmed out. Not true on my current tritoon, but was true on my I/O Harris pontoon, however when I did trim the Harris in such a manner the prop would blow out in turns so I just left the trim at a safe level where it would not blow out.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Proper Pontoon Trim
Date:	7/28/2009 10:52:35 PM

Anyone who has trim wants to use it based on conditions. There are other factors that will impact how your pontoon will ride and the effect on the trim. A 25ft pontoon with a 50hp motor will not see much impact from playing with trim compared to a 150 hp motor on the same pontoon. How your weight is distributed on your pontoon will have a dramatic effect on the trim no matter how it is set. I found an even distribution of passengers before heading out and then setting the trim while underway worked best.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Blowout
Date:	7/28/2009 11:03:07 PM

Maverick made a good point. Too much trim and you will have blowout especially on, I believe, right turns. What is happening is the motor is trimmed too far out and the prop leaves the water. Because there is no resistence the RPM goes way up. This can cause a damaged or blown engine. Trimming out is a way in a smaller boat to increase speed as less of the wet portion (bottom) is in the water. That is, there is less resistence in the water. However, there are limits as to how far to trim. Your size and pitch of the propeller feeds into the equation, as well.

Name:	Kizma Anuice -	Reply
Subject:	cavitation plate height
Date:	7/29/2009 7:40:41 AM

the height of the cavitation plate is as important as the trim. the problem is it is difficult to get a definitive answer as to what the correct cavitation plate height is. most riggers just mount a ob in the lowest position and this is usually wrong.

some say that the bottom of the pontoons is the correct height for the cavitation plate. other say it is the water line at the back of the pontoons.

most now agree that the best starting point is the bottom of the motor well. you can experiment by moving up or down a hole or two. when you get the correct height and the correct prop, it will be easy to get the proper trim and avoid blow out.

if anyone know a sure fire way of determining cavitation plate height, I would like to know it.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Proper Pontoon Trim
Date:	7/30/2009 11:12:50 AM

Agree. The size of the engine in relation to the size of the boat is a key factor. We have a 25 foot pontoon with an 80 hp motor (wish it were 115), so at speed I tilt the motor up as far as it will go (there is a limiter that only allows it to go so far when under load). Only when the water is really rough do we have cavitation problems. Of course the HP limitation doesn't lift the bow quite as far out of the water as I would like either, and when loaded the top speed dwindles noticeably.

Name:	4lakelivn -	Reply
Subject:	Proper Pontoon Trim - More Inf
Date:	7/30/2009 11:17:25 AM

Apparently, I left out an important piece of the puzzle. I have a 115 h.p. motor. Does that change anyone's answers? Thanks for your input.

Name:	Rooster -	Reply
Subject:	Proper Pontoon Trim - More Inf
Date:	7/30/2009 2:34:49 PM

same motor I have - When on plane, I trim just under 1/2, maybe just a little less- everything improves---speed, rpms, gas mileage, ride. When pulling a tube and swinging back and forth, I trim almost all the way down, to avoid blowouts. Coming back from Aqualapooza the other night, I was going way too slow and took a couple of waves over the bow, speeded up and solved the problem.

Name:	Mack -	Reply
Subject:	Experience Helps with Trim..
Date:	7/30/2009 7:21:08 PM

Go out at about 7:00AM when the water is glass, open it up WOT, and play with the trim, and listen to the engine. Watch your Tach upper limit, too. Get the most speed at the smoothest ride with the least engine stress.
Try again in rough water. Same exercise. Again pulling a tube. Again trolling speed. You'll figure it out. That switch is there for a reason. Experiment.

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