How To Adjust An Outboard Engine To The Transom

Getting this right can really aid a smooth ride!

Setting the position of the outboard engine to the transom has variables that need consideration. If the position is not correct, then your going to have trouble with a range of issues including:

• Trim - the ability to move the motor to a better angle whilst in the water for optimum performance

• Tilt - taking the lower unit out of the water and locking it, whilst the boat is in transit or not being used

• Low boat speed - outboard not performing well and being inefficient

• High boat speed - too many revs and not enough speed

The relationship between these variables helps to fix the outboard to the transom correctly

Let's go through them in turn:

Trim

The outboard needs to be perpendicular to the water. There are two systems for this movement, manual or hydraulic, depending on the engine size.

There are pros and cons for both. Here's two:

• With manual adjust you can only do so when stationary

• Hydraulic systems are susceptible to corrosion from the elements, so maintaining them is more involved

Essentially they do the same job though. Here is what to look out for:

Propeller too far from transom

The bow will be too far out of the water

Tilt

Is the ability to pivot the motor all the way to it's raised position. S o the lower unit is out of the water when not in use. Essentially it is a leveraged locking system that needs occasional greasing to ensure smooth lifting and lowering.
In order to check the outboard is at the correct height on the transom, you need to answer

the following questions:

• Is engine speed higher than normal?

Then the outboard needs to be adjusted lower in the water. This is done by using the brackets, which secure the outboard to the transom.

• Is boat speed too low?

In this case the drive from the propeller is inefficient. The answer is to either lower or heighten the motor on the transom, easy to identify which.

Other concerns

• Overloading your boat will result in poor engine performance

• Uneven load distribution affects boat speed and steering

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