How to Trim Your Outdrive While It Is Under Way

Familiarizing yourself with the trim adjustment process can make your boat rides more comfortable and cost-effective. In addition, ignoring the boat's trim can be unsafe; trimming too far up can send water over the transom, and trimming too far down can send the bow through waves. The optimum angle will be different depending on the size of the boat, the distribution of the boat's cargo and passengers and even the amount of fuel in the tank.

• 1

  Trim the outdrive all the way down before you take off to plane the boat as quickly as possible.

• 2

  Trim the outdrive out in short bursts using the lever on the throttle. This will raise the bow slightly.

• 3

  Keep the throttle steady, and continue trimming up in small increments until the boat starts slowing down. Give the trim a quick burst down to get the boat back up to its maximum speed.

• 4

  Trim the bow up slightly if you are driving into the wind or if there is rough water. This will shield you and your passengers from wave spray.