help me understand the difference between trimming and tilting my i/o. looks the same to me.
Trimming is the term used when the drive is raised or lowered while underway. The trim allows adjustment of the bow attitude and has an effect on ease of steering as well as speed. Trim is usually limited and will only allow you to trim up to a certain "height". This prevents over-trimming and possible losing control or ventilating the prop. Tilt is just trimming up so the lower unit won't drag the ground when trailered. Mercruiser uses a "trim limit" switch on the gimbal ring to stop over-trimming. A separate switch over-rides the limit switch to provide the tilt/trailering of the drive.
Outboards use a different system and have separate trim and tilt hydraulic cylinders usually, especially on higher horsepower engines.
What brand of drive do you have?
OMC Cobra.
Trimming and Tilting appear to move the lower unit in the exact same way. Is this more of a terminology issue? I know I wouldn't trim when I wanted to beach, and likewise I wouldn't tilt when I wanted to get up on plane.
Yes, it's a terminology thing.
It feels like the trim feature engages more of a solid gear type lockup with trim. The trim function is only for a small range of motion at the lower down position. The trim feature brings the motor up past the trim settings and moves much faster and is a weaker type action. You would not use the motor in the tilt position while running.
Originally Posted By reelserious:
It feels like the trim feature engages more of a solid gear type lockup with trim. The trim function is only for a small range of motion at the lower down position. The trim feature brings the motor up past the trim settings and moves much faster and is a weaker type action. You would not use the motor in the tilt position while running.
^^^ True with outboards, not with the OMC Cobra sterndrive.
