How high should the trim be raised to be most fuel efficient? I have 2021 R25 outboard. I often run with trim raised four bars with 22 RPM at 8 or 9mph and 1.6 mpg. Has anyone do different with better fuel efficient?
Engine trim is important, as are trim tabs. On a planing hull, the ideal settings are to trim the engine so it's parallel to the flow of water (while the boat has an uphill angle), trim tabs fully retracted (less drag).
I've found 2-3 bars to be normal as the Ranger Tug hull rise isn't that great. The closer to wide open throttle I get, the more engine trim I usually will need. 4,5,6 bars at WOT is normal.
I've also found, that since these are light boats (synonymous with "Trailerable"), thus, the wind pushes us around. If I point the bow of the boat into 10-15 knots of wind gusts while traveling at 28mph,I will notice this at the fuel dock. I've also found that sometimes the more fuel efficient speed is to go faster, not slower. Gets the boat angle down, which picks the back end of the boat up more, to skim along the water.
This is what the stock R25-OB with the factory 3 blade will do.
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If you put on a PowerTech 5 blade prop, same boat, different prop.
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