Motor Trimmed DOWN

D.W. Verts · May 17, 2021, 05:51:23 PM

I see this virtually every time I'm on the water. If you own a boat, while fishing leave your motor trimmed/tilted down enough that at least the lower unit is submerged. By doing this you provide yourself with some "steerage"- the boat will stay straight. While I don't generally suggest it, this is doubly (triply?) important if you're fishing with the wind.

You can then even turn the motor to port or starboard in serious wind conditions to help the boat "track" the way you want it to.

I don't know if folks are worried about scuffing up the lower parts of their engines, or what. I sure don't worry about it. But I've seen a dozen boats with their engines tilted up all the way this season . It looks kinda funny when there's a 250 horsepower brute of an engine, and it's almost setting on the back deck of a boat.

There you go.

Dale

Mike Cork · May 17, 2021, 06:00:24 PM

Never thought about putting this out as a tip but I make sure to use the motor to help me. I've even spent my time eating a sandwich, driving my partner nuts.

He was fishing on the front deck and I'd turn the big motor back and forth... He couldn't figure out his control issues until I started laughing too hard and got caught...

Capt. BassinLou · May 17, 2021, 06:03:51 PM

I always keep my motor trimmed down when I'm fishing unless I'm drafting too shallow then I raise it up, but only to clear the bottom. Never understood why other boaters raise their outboards all the way up either.

coldfront · May 17, 2021, 06:04:56 PM

evil, evil...boll weevil...
you are a bad man Mike Cork.

Smallie_Stalker · May 17, 2021, 06:05:42 PM

Quote from: Mike Cork on May 17, 2021, 06:00:24 PM
Never thought about putting this out as a tip but I make sure to use the motor to help me. I've even spent my time eating a sandwich, driving my partner nuts.

He was fishing on the front deck and I'd turn the big motor back and forth... He couldn't figure out his control issues until I started laughing too hard and got caught...

Now that's just mean right there.

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Mike Cork · May 17, 2021, 06:08:22 PM

Yes I'm mean, especially when he won't stop to eat with me... It's like I'm in a penalty box LOL

Captsteve · May 18, 2021, 04:50:30 AM

Quote from: Mike Cork on May 17, 2021, 06:08:22 PM
Yes I'm mean, especially when he won't stop to eat with me... It's like I'm in a penalty box LOL

Lol

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BassmanRudy · May 18, 2021, 06:19:26 AM

I keep mine trimmed up most times because of damn shallow water and stumps. BUT with my lightweight boat it's better to leave it down enough to help with steering like mentioned above.

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Oldfart9999 · May 18, 2021, 06:29:59 AM

Great tip Dale!!! Something we don't think about but that can help us.
Rodney

Basstagger · August 07, 2021, 08:38:17 PM

This brought back memories of fishing with my Father-in-Law. That windy day he taught me this, I thought he was a genius. Miss the old guy- lost him two years ago.

Terry G · August 07, 2021, 08:52:17 PM

I keep my motor down as I fish rice fields and it gets shallow quick.
When it starts to drag bottom I raise it and have enough water for the TM to turn to get me to deeper water.
For me a safety option as a falling tide can leave you high and dry

zippyduck · August 07, 2021, 09:05:40 PM

I trim my motor up when fishing rivers around here for the rocks that are as big as volkswagens. I have cracked a lower unit on them before.
Also when I am in the thickest of weeds when getting blown around is impossible. Yes I love the thick, thick stuff for bigguns.

coldfront · August 08, 2021, 03:57:18 AM

Quote from: Terry G on August 07, 2021, 08:52:17 PM
I keep my motor down as I fish rice fields and it gets shallow quick.
When it starts to drag bottom I raise it and have enough water for the TM to turn to get me to deeper water.
For me a safety option as a falling tide can leave you high and dry

something else: in rivers/current. I will trim up to reduce drag and get more out of my TM. but in that situation, the current is keeping boat relatively straight. still, a bit of skeg in the water helps steering there too.

Donald Garner · August 08, 2021, 08:50:15 AM

Depends on where I'm fishing. Stillhouse lake I'll trim my motor up on the Stratos due to the submerged standing timber. I leave the prop just under the surface. I fish pretty shallow most of the time. Another thing with the Yamaha on my Stratos there's that small hole on the lower unit that feeds the speedometer. It can get clogged real easy with trash. Belton Lake I keep the engine trimmed down and yep it helps with the tracking.

When I fish out of my G3 with the 25hp Yamaha I keep that engine trimmed down all the time.

ohiobass · February 17, 2022, 01:01:00 PM

motor trimmed down, and turned the correct way will help in a drift up on Great Lakes for sure! Keeps the boat drifting sideways. along with using the TM, it works great!