How to Raise or Lower a Boat's Motor

Whether you are taking your boat into shallow waters or trying to maximize its performance, you'll need to raise your boat's motor. There are two ways to accomplish this: You can tilt it upward, or you can raise it straight up. Most boats are equipped with a device to raise the motor one way or the other; some boats are equipped to raise the motor both ways.

Instructions

  1. Using the Power Tilt-and-Trim Switch

    • 1

      Locate the power tilt-and-trim switch. Usually the switch is on or near the throttle handle.

    • 2

      Press the top half of the switch, if the switch is a rocker-type switch, to tilt the motor upward. Press the bottom half of the switch to tilt the motor downward. As the motor tilts upward toward the surface, the bow of the boat -- its front end -- tends to rise.

    • 3

      If the switch is located on the dash, push the switch up to tilt the motor up. Push the switch down to depress the motor. As the motor is tilted downward, the bow of the boat tends to move lower than the stern -- or rear -- of the boat.

    Using the Jack Plate Switch

    • 4

      Locate the jack plate switch: It may be located near the engine controls on the remote control box, or it may be located near the engine.

    • 5

      Push the switch upward. The motor will rise straight up, rather than tilting upward. This allows you to operate in waters as shallow as your boat's hull may enter. You can maintain full control over your vessel's attitude while under acceleration.

    • 6

      Push the switch down. This lowers the motor straight down, elevator-style, so that the boat's hull can rise on to plane as the motor's full power is delivered to the water. This allows the boat to accelerate more quickly, as well.