[Douglas Alderman]

What is a safe R.P.M. for trimming the outdrive? Without having trim tabs on the boat and you want to keep bow higher out of water due to larger waves. Don't want to damage anything at the higher speeds. Gumble bearing or universals on sterndrive!

[WetWilly]

Hi Douglas,

As long as your trim system is functioning properly, the built in limiters will not let you up or down trim farther than what is mechanically safe when your running at speed.

As for what trim setting to use at a given speed or water condition, there isn't a right setting, too many variables like load weight, speed, wind and water conditions, etc... simply put, you should try to trim for the smoothest ride while retaining control.

Unless you're running in 3' to 4' swells, the flair of the bow on your Jubilee should keep you dry if your running level at a respectable speed for the conditions. If you trim the bow too high and/or go too fast in rough water, you can end up porpoising and pounding the hull and could possibly catch a wave or two over the bow.

As for me, I tend to trim the bow down more in rough water combined with slower speeds as the bow has the sharpest angle for parting the waves and I trim the bow up for running fast in calmer waters as the stern is much flatter and this trim setting raises most of the hull out of the water for less drag. The down side at this angle is less control as the steering becomes heavy and sometimes she wants to chine walk or leave the water when we catch a large wake or wave.

In another thread, we discussed using the trim area used to for the trailer tilt to navigate shallow waters. This is only recommended at idle speeds and for those who are very, very familiar with their stern units.

Hope this helps,
WetWilly