How to set trim on a pontoon boat.

[N80]

Spent some time on the boat this weekend. The motor turns out to be a 'high thrust' motor. Not sure what that means but it has a decal on it that says so.

Also, this one does not seem to cavitate in the turns. So good deal on that.

Its rated at 60 hp but has a lot more power than the old 50 hp 2 stroke Mercury. Lot quieter too.

As far as trim, its pretty hard to tell anything different except at the extremes. I think anywhere near 'flat' is fine at least on this pontoon boat.

 

[N80]

Unfortunatetly my ballast are passengers and they keep moving around!

 

[WTA]

On a ship, or any small boat the first thing you do to set trim is proper ballasting. Make sure it's level at a stop. You can usually move things around to get that. After ballasting then you can play around with the prop angle.

You will get cavitation if the angle isn't right or the prop comes out of the water and on any boat or ship you should be able to feel it. excessive speed from the prop in relation to how fast the boat is actually going will cause it too. You really just need to get a good feel for it.

Try setting trim on an aircraft carrier or battleship going over 30 knots with the fantail underwater and a roostertail over a quarter mile long. That's fun!

 

[Skyco]

Glad it did turn out to be the high thrust version....
Isn't it amazing the difference 4 stroke vs 2 stroke make in noise?
I have a Suzuki 70 on my center console, very quiet motor. I've had a couple of other small 4 strokes and currently also have a big giant 2.5 hp Yamaha 4 stroke for my square stern canoe. I'll never have another 2 stroke outboard, I'm sold on the 4 strokes

 

[Gary Fowler]

No, I think the pontoons just sit flush in the water no matter what. Now, you may be able to mount a motor big enough to raise the bow up.....I'd like to see that.

My friend has a 26 foot pontoon boat with a 250 HP engine and it not only planes out but runs over 60MPH. A few days ago, I saw one at a dealer in Hot Springs, Ar. with a 300 HP engine. The for sure do make pontoon boats capable of doing more than just putting about.

 

[Dutch445]

Well this certainly is a refreshing break from the 19* weather
and snow! let's talk about boats!!!!
lol

 

[kevin37b]

My friend has a 26 foot pontoon boat with a 250 HP engine and it not only planes out but runs over 60MPH. A few days ago, I saw one at a dealer in Hot Springs, Ar. with a 300 HP engine. The for sure do make pontoon boats capable of doing more than just putting about.

That has to be a fiberglass trihull , not aluminum logs ?

 

[Loadstar]

That has to be a fiberglass trihull , not aluminum logs ?

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DtbX_RZ3IXI
100mph aluminum logs

 

[bucktaker]

What an old post to resurrect

Being on Norris Lake in TN we see all kinds of HOT ROD pontoon boats with 300 HP outboards to Big Block I/0's They all tend to be tri-toons and they do get on plane

 

[445A]

....and don't even get me started on boat ramp etiquette

Awe come on Skyco, there are a million laughs at any boat ramp on Sunday after 3pm. The ice chests are out of beer and the boaters are full of it!:shocked::laughing: I prep my boat in the parking lot, NOT on the ramp.:thumbsup: May be time for a new thread! 445A