Trim Indicator in Speedo LCD Window

[Bigghauss]

Fellow owners,

I have a 2014 220S. As I cycle functions through the LCD window on my speedo, one of them is Trim. Usually given in a #.# format. Can anybody at all clue me into what these numbers mean? Are the angles? If so, the angle of what? The boat in the way? The outdrive from full down/up? Where does it derive this information?

I would really like to under this more because I feel it could be highly useful to me, but I'm not entirely clear on what the data means.

Any takers on this one??

[Driller]

mine goes from 0.0 to 10.0. I stick my finger in the wind and assume that 5.0 is about half way. The trim indicator starts to show in the trailer mode at about 8.0 or a little less, so I usually don't go above 6.5 or so. Now the disclaimer. I'm no salty captain, just started driving my Cobalt routinely 2 seasons ago and I learned a lot from the guys here. I keep it simple. Plane to boat out and then adjust the trim up until the boat starts to porpoise, then back it down till it stops. I have learned to keep the boat in optimal trim you need to adjust it frequently depending on speed, waves, wind, etc.

[AsLan7]

mine goes from 0.0 to 10.0. I stick my finger in the wind and assume that 5.0 is about half way. The trim indicator starts to show in the trailer mode at about 8.0 or a little less, so I usually don't go above 6.5 or so. Now the disclaimer. I'm no salty captain, just started driving my Cobalt routinely 2 seasons ago and I learned a lot from the guys here. I keep it simple. Plane to boat out and then adjust the trim up until the boat starts to porpoise, then back it down till it stops. I have learned to keep the boat in optimal trim you need to adjust it frequently depending on speed, waves, wind, etc.

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Well said Driller.

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[Big Block Power]

The other advise I can give is while in the driveway look at your numbers and then go look at your drive you will be surprised how low the drive actually is. That way you will always have a idea where your drive is relation to the numbers.

[Bigghauss]

Thanks for the thoughts. So basically, nobody knows for sure! I'm would 'THINK' it would be the outdrive angle relative to transom. So full TRIM down would be 0.0 and TRIM up around 8.0 before Tilt kicks in???

[ajcampen]

I called mercury and it is just a reference number. 0 is all the way down. 9.9 is up. Above that you are in trailer mode. No reference to angle

[Big Block Power]

I called mercury and it is just a reference number. 0 is all the way down. 9.9 is up. Above that you are in trailer mode. No reference to angle

Correct otherwise you would have a negative number when all the way Down. Again look at your drive so you know where it is in your head when you look at the numbers. I watch my wake me than anything. I couldn't tell you half the time where I trim to the guage. It's all about feel and the ride.

[Bigghauss]

All,

I spoke with Cobalt and they have verified what you all shared above. Its just an arbitrary number related to position of the outdrive but has no reference point. I was just curious as I can see the benefit of knowing your stern drive position particularly if navigation shallower areas, anchoring, etc.

Thanks all!

[Dropped Anchor]

My Volvo outdrive has a percentage number. All the way down is 0%. I assume the mid point would be 50% but I didn't compare with my manual gauge to check.

[Bmcs22]

My Volvo also has a percentage. But don’t usually look at it. I mostly go by feel except when loading and unloading.

[jma2@fuse.net]

My 280 Volvo Penta engine schematic shows that my outdrive trim angle ranges from -5.0 degrees (full down) to +52 degrees (full tilt). My trim numbers on the Speedo LCD range from 0 to 24 in 1/10th increments, so 0 refers to -5.0 degrees trim-in and 24 refers to +52 degrees full tilt. Based on this information, I converted the trim numbers into degree-angles of my outdrive. The Volvo Penta manual provides the recommended trim angles for my duo prop:

-5.0 to 8.0 degrees = operating trim range;
8.0 to 30 degrees = beach range; and
30+ degrees = tilt.

So under normal operations, the pilot should adjust trim to achieve an angle between -5.0 to 8.0 degrees. Using my calculations for the trim read-out numbers, and watching my GPH information, I've concluded that my optimal trim operating range is around +5.0 degrees, which converts to 4.1 on my Speedo LCD read-out. When taxiing and launching I usually have the trim full-down, until the boat planes (which is real quick). After full-plane, I will adjust the trim to 4.0 and then watch GPH and adjust accordingly. For those interested, here are the other key conversions:

0.0 = -5.0 degrees;
2.1 = 0.0 degrees;
4.1 = 5.0 degrees; and
5.4 = 8.1 degrees.

Again this is on a 0 - 24 scale.

[Big Block Power]

Good info fuse!

[Alaskabound]

My experience is very similar to fuse. Big, you didn’t say,unless I missed it, whether you have Merc or Volvo and if you have duo prop. My Volvo duoprop with 280 hp trim number that is the best for me is about 3.5 on lcd window. I usually have drive all the way down when starting out but with my setup, it doesn’t make too much difference if I forget. I think that’s because the DP bites the water so well. Good luck.

Dub

[Bigghauss]

It is Volvo with DuoProp. I usually put it full down, and then a button tap up once just to provide a little bit of relieve to the pinion gear before I go anywhere. Boat seems happy with this habit and none of my previous outdrives have ever had a wear issues on the pinion or upper gear assembly.

[akorcovelos]

The trim gauge on the Cobalt is probably one of the few things that just isn't as good as other brands. My 84 Webbcraft trim gauge was dead accurate, never had to touch the adjustment. On this boat I've played with the trim sensor too many times to count and it just won't run the full range of the gauge. I settled on it being accurate to full down on the drive being full down on the gauge, but that puts the gauge at 3/4 up when I'm in trailer mode. As other have said, I don't even look at it when I'm boating, I go full down for hole shot then trim up until the props start to blow out then trim down a touch until they bite again. As you get to know the boat you can feel when it's trimmed right.

I was actually going to look into the possibility of turning the digital depth gauge into a digital trim indicator since my chart plotter shows depth, but it sounds like that won't get me any closer to 'accurate' than what I have now.