Want to get rid of the ads? Become a member by registering today.
The Mariah Owners Club

Forum Left Top

Welcome to the The Mariah Owners Club.


Trim & Speed in Heavier Chop

Boating 101

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 06-07-2009, 04:44 PM   #1

2009R19.9 is currently offline
Posts: 6
Status: Stowaway
Join Date: Feb 2009
Find me on the Map
My Model: 2009 R19.9 Merc 5.0L Alpha
Gallery Images: 4


Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send 2009R19.9:
a Private Message
 
Default Trim & Speed in Heavier Chop

I've been playing around with this concept with our new R19.9, but haven't tested it thoroughly, so would love to hear others' opinions:
When boating in heavier chop (either wind-driven or caused by a lot of boat traffic in a smaller body of water), what are your preferences for speed and sterndrive trim to avoid hull slamming?

I've been told to stay at speed (cruising speed, not top end) and steer as closely to directly into the chop to have the hull cut through the waves. Conversely, I've also heard to cut speed to reduce slamming.

One idea that makes sense to me is to trim down the drive to keep more of the bow in the water to help cut through the wave, as opposed to keeping bow high and letting the waves slam into the mid-section of the hull.

What do you guys do to help cut down on hull slamming?

Thanks in advance,
Andy
Reply With Quote
  • Old 06-08-2009, 03:34 PM   #2
     
    blockp's Avatar

    blockp is currently offline
    Posts: 248
    Status: Admiral
    Join Date: Sep 2008
    Location: Oshkosh, WI
    Find me on the Map
    My Model: 99 Jubilee 214
    Gallery Images: 8


    Thanks: 2
    Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts
    Send blockp:
    a Private Message
     
    Default Re: Trim & Speed in Heavier Chop

    There are too many variables to give one answer that fits every situation. Sometimes I plow through them, other times I drive around them, and still others I ride up and down them. All depends on direction, size, consistency, wind, and where I'm trying to get to. There is no one hard fast rule that is always the thing to do when driving on rough water.

    Do a google search on "boat driving waves tips" and you'll find a ton of articles explaining when to use which approach. Here's a couple quick hits that I found.
    One
    Two

    More often than not, my passengers appreciate my quartering the waves rather than plowing through them or riding over them. It gives you more left/right roll, but it usually ends up being a smoother and drier ride. You just have to work your throttle a bit so you don't end up surfing down one and burying the bow into the next one.
    Reply With Quote
    Old 06-11-2009, 05:24 PM   #3

    2009R19.9 is currently offline
    Posts: 6
    Status: Stowaway
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Find me on the Map
    My Model: 2009 R19.9 Merc 5.0L Alpha
    Gallery Images: 4


    Thanks: 0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Send 2009R19.9:
    a Private Message
     
    Default Re: Trim & Speed in Heavier Chop

    Thanks for the tips and the links, blockp. I'll give them a shot next time out this weekend.
    Andy
    Reply With Quote
    Reply

    Bookmarks




    Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
     
    Thread Tools


    Similar Threads
    Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
    Replacing Trim Limit and Trim Position Senders jwpilger Mercury MerCruiser 1 05-18-2009 02:50 AM
    Trimming Speed for Outdrive Douglas Alderman Original Mariah Talk 1 08-25-2008 05:18 AM
    trim dieselwiezil Original Mariah Talk 1 08-01-2008 08:27 PM
    speed and rpm jktbea Original Mariah Talk 7 05-20-2008 03:51 AM
    trim trouble aquaknot Original Mariah Talk 5 08-13-2007 12:17 PM



    Forum Right Top
    Forum Left Bottom Forum Right Bottom
     
    Right Left
    Member Login
    Forgot password?
    Forum LeftForum Right

    About the Club
    Age of the Mariah Owners Club:

    Total Members: 18,508
    Total Threads: 12,950
    Total Posts: 68,294
    Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to Mariah Owners Club on YouTube
    There are 126 users
    currently browsing forums.
    Forum LeftForum Right

    Find us on Facebook
    Forum LeftForum Right

    Club Sponsors
    Right Sponsor





    Forum LeftForum Right
    Right Right
    Right Bottom Left Right Bottom Right