How to Pitch a Deskside

A boater who has not correctly pitched his engine runs the risk of blowing it, while a boater who has correctly pitched his boat’s engine can enjoy a trouble-free outing under blue skies and soft breezes. A properly pitched engine is critical to the performance of all boat engines — including those for fishing boats, speed boats and yachts. Engine pitching is attainable from the deck side, before leaving the marina, if a correct procedure is followed.

Things You'll Need

  • Throttle
  • Tachometer
  • Propeller
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn on the engine and allow the revolutions per minute to increase with the throttle wide open. The distance the propeller would advance the boat as it makes one rotation is known as the pitch. If the propeller is low-pitched, the boat will travel a short distance with each propeller rotation. If the propeller is high-pitched, the boat will travel a longer distance with each rotation. If the pitch is too high, the engine will not reach the maximum revolutions per minute. This could cause damage to the engine. Refer to the engine manual to determine the correct pitch for the engine size. Determine the pitch before embarking on each outing.

    • 2

      Determine if the engine is running smoothly by checking the tachometer. The engine should reach the maximum revolutions per minute with the throttle wideopen. This ensures that the pitch is correct. The ideal is to have the engine accelerate to top speed without hesitation. The performance of the engine can be affected by the resistance of the water. This is referred to as “slippage.” A propeller that normally causes the boat to travel 20 inches per propeller revolution may only cause the boat to travel 18 inches per revolution. Consider how current water conditions may create slippage when evaluating the pitch.

    • 3

      Decide on the effect of the pitch according to the planned activity. High pitch allows the boat to move through the water quickly. This is ideal for waterskiing and racing. A low pitch results in the boat moving through the water slowly. This is ideal for trolling or fishing. Once all of these factors have been considered, remove the ropes from the dock or deckside and steer the boat into the open water to enjoy the planned activities.