Trim Tabs for a dink-gctid371331

[tonyiiiafl Seasoned Member Find all posts View Profile Close tonyiiiafl]

I have my new Dinghy from West Marine. It is a 10' inflatable with a high pressure floor. Got a DEAL (as always!) I went to a store that was closing and bought the West Marine HP 340. Got it for UNDER $500.00! I placed a coat of Pettit bottom paint on it and ordered my numbers from BOATNUMBERPLATE.COM.

Anyway, I also got a set of trim tabs for an inflatable. Has anyone ever installed a set before? It appears you need to drill into the transom, through the floor material, and fill the area with 5200. It appears that the tabs unfold, and the rea of the pontoons hold them in place? Just a bit confused as to how they stay in place in the open position.

Any feed back from someone on these? Are they really needed?

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All you need to do now, is buy a nice outboard....

and sell me that little junior

[tonyiiiafl Seasoned Member Find all posts View Profile Close tonyiiiafl]

Ya got me on that one buddy! I am looking for a 10 HP, and will keep you updated!

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I installed "Smart Tabs" on my WM 310 RIB. Been too long ago to remember any install details beyond it was no big deal. They work because they have a spring that allows the tab to fold up when you have the boat up on plane.

They work very well, wouldn't have a dink with a decent size motor without one. One thing though, you can't drag the boat backwards in the sand 'cause the tabs dig in.

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tonyiiiafl wrote:
Ya got me on that one buddy! I am looking for a 10 HP, and will keep you updated!

Yes, please keep me in mind. 10hp are a dime a dozen so I expect to be hearing from you soon. :beer-

[Corky42 Seasoned Member Find all posts View Profile Close Corky42]

I installed tabs from Maxi Marine on my older 9ft Boatus inflatable with rigid hull. It was a simple installation and their model has a bar from the tabs to the transom to support the tabs.

Just can't say enough about how much better the dink performs.

Pops out of the hole and planes at much lower rpm. I have an older 8HP two stoke Merc. purrs like a kitten. Keeps up with the Mother Ship at 14 knts with two people in it.

I think any trim tabs will show much improvement. You will be glad you did it.

But---as stated before, don't drag it backwards over gravel .