Formula boat porpoising

BroadHopper · 08-06-2022, 09:45 AM

Formula owner since 1988. I learned a lot about porpoising and other alimonies. First off, I use the trim tabs to level the boat port and starboard. Contrary to popular belief, the Trimming the right tab button only works on the left tab and vice versa. Thus I use the right button to raise or lower the port side and the left button to affect the starboard side.

It is the outdrive trim that I use to prevent porpoising. I start out with the trim in to get up on plane. Once at speed, I would trim out until either the engine speed increases or the boat speed decreases.

Only then do I adjust the 'attitude' of the boat, it varies depending on water conditions, weight distribution, as well as weight. If it is porpoising I touch the trim level down and porpoising stops. It's not rocket science but getting 'the feel' takes experience.

08-06-2022, 09:45 AM	#39
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,667 Thanks: 3,282 Thanked 1,132 Times in 814 Posts	Outdrive vs trim tabs. Formula owner since 1988. I learned a lot about porpoising and other alimonies. First off, I use the trim tabs to level the boat port and starboard. Contrary to popular belief, the Trimming the right tab button only works on the left tab and vice versa. Thus I use the right button to raise or lower the port side and the left button to affect the starboard side. It is the outdrive trim that I use to prevent porpoising. I start out with the trim in to get up on plane. Once at speed, I would trim out until either the engine speed increases or the boat speed decreases. Only then do I adjust the 'attitude' of the boat, it varies depending on water conditions, weight distribution, as well as weight. If it is porpoising I touch the trim level down and porpoising stops. It's not rocket science but getting 'the feel' takes experience. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.