Big newbie question: Adjusting Trim & Need for a Stabili

justin962 · Newbie Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 19

Hello, we bought our boat a week ago, a '92 Galaxie with a 300hp cobra i/o. I just started to wakeboard today and have a few questions about enhancing my wake size & acceleration.

This boat is great shape & only has 250 hours on it.. but unfortunately our stabilizer has a 1/2 inch piece missing from the right side edge. I wasn't too worried about it until I saw the prices of a new one and figured I might as well upgrade. I know the stabilizer won't improve the wake, but is this to improve keeping the bow of the boat on the water? (Thus allowing me to adjust my trim even more?) If this is the case, can I go wrong with choosing a stabilizer? Is there a recommended model?

Which brings me to my question about the trim.. how do I know when I've gone too far down? I planned on starting 1/2 way and not messing with it until I can add weight (60% to the front, 40% to the back). Will I notice the wake increasing in size or washing out? As of right now we are doing 20mph at 3000+- rpms.

Sorry for these beginner questions.
Justin

impulse · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 807 City: Snyder,TX

On a I/O it is really easy to play with the trim and find a perfect spot for that day. If you weight it much at all you will need to adjust the trim everytime you pull a rider out of the water... It will not get on plane if you dont. Put more weight in the front and middle and you can adjust your trim way up and get a nice sharp wake.

I dont think it matters which stableizer you get. Have a great time with the new boat.. Congrats..

gmarkham1 · Addict Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 505 City: janesville

what type of stabilizer do you have? I have two right hand side pieces in the garage I beleive. Might be able to help you out!

other then that start with your trim all the way down then once you are up to speed , raise it till the boat just starts porpoising then just lower it a bit, I have found that to be about the optimal spot on my old i/o, but it is different for everyboat.

bmartin · Addict Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 794

Stabilizers are good but not sure 1/2 inch will matter, but you are right it is a cheap fix and you may be able to get a really cheap one.

It will be more efficient to start with trim all the way down and raise it up until you get a clean wake. It will be second nature in no time.

Other quick enhancements might be getting a new lower pitch prop. That will allow you to put more weight in and makes it easier to maintain speed, but will also decrease your top end speed if that matters. The best thing you can do for any boat that towes will be to get Perfect Pass - can get them starting at $695. That way anyone will be able to give you a fairly decent pull as long as they can drive straight which really opens up the doors ie. do not have to rely on your "A" list of drivers.

impulse · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 807 City: Snyder,TX

I agree with the other guys. Just put the trim all the way down and then move it up until you find your boats sweet spot for that ride. Every rider needs a different amount of trim, you will have it down before long.

justin962 · Newbie Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 19

Great advice guys, thanks a lot! I haven't searched yet, but how much is it to make the trim electronically adjustable instead of having to manually loosen the bolts & adjust. My throttle arm is able to adjust the trim and tilt. My trim is level with the boat as it sits right now, tomorrow I'll move it down a notch.

I fully agree on the Perfect Pass.. I'm just a beginner and I can already tell differences between drivers haha.

As far as a new prop goes, would I be best off with a 4 blade & lower pitch? Or could I get by with a lower pitch 3 blade?

I really appreciate the offer on the right side stabilizer, I would be more than happy to buy one from you. I am going to Cabelas and Bass Pro Shop tomorrow to browse, so I'll keep you updated.

Again, I apologize about these redundant questions.. hopefully it helps someone else, like it has me.

tmbrown · Outlaw Joined: 03 Jul 2004 Posts: 218 City: East Roseville

you lost me... by trim they're referring to the trim/tilt buttons on the throttle arm - shouldn't require any unbolting... just hit the switch so the outdrive tilts up a little bit more once you get the rider up - that's how most of us shape our wakes.

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

Do you have a full blown outboard? I've never seen an I/O with manual trim. If you don't have hydraulic trim, we're looking at a different story for weighting, propping, and so forth.

It's much more difficult to get a boat on plane without the trim fully down on the hole shot. There may be a happy medium somewhere but you'd have to play with it to see if you can still get a decent hole shot with weight and get a decent shaped wake as well.

justin962 · Newbie Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 19

Yeah, I have manual trim on an inboard/outboard. The other day I put it all the way down and it seemed to help keep the front down, but my max speed is about 32mph now. I'm not sure if the wake is improved, but I know it's kicking up a big rooster tail. I'm definately in the market for some fat sacs to put in the front so I can put the tilt back up.

Do you think hydraulic/electric trim is worth the investment? Or should I just stick with fat sacs/hydrofoil?