How to Fix Trim Tabs

Handling, wake size and speed are all improved when using trim tabs.

Trim tabs are mounted to the rear hull of your boat and used to make the boat plane more quickly and efficiently at lower speeds. Trim tabs counteract tilting when riding with more than two passengers or heavy cargo. Over time, the trim plates can bend or break, due to the amount of force exerted by the water and the weight of your boat. This creates an uneven wake and will tilt the axis of your boat. When that happens, you need to replace them.

Things You'll Need

• Power drill
• Phillips screwdriver attachment
• 5/16-inch wrench

Instructions

1. Remove the old trim tabs from the hull of your boat. Unscrew the sheet metal screws from the transom bracket and the trim plate hinge. Use a power drill with a Phillips screwdriver attachment to loosen and remove the screws. Pull the old trim plate from the boat.

2. Attach the new trim tabs to your boat. Insert the sheet metal screws back into the transom. Align the transom plate so the holes on the boat line up correctly. Tighten the screws by turning them clockwise to secure the transom plate to the boat.

3. Attach the trim plate to the hinge located at the bottom of the rear of the boat. Align the holes of the hinge with the holes on the lower end of boat. Reinsert the 3/8-inch machine screws back into the hinge. Secure the screws using a power drill and a Phillips screwdriver attachment.

4. Insert the ball stud into the transom bracket and place a 5/16-inch locking nut on the other side. Tighten the nut to the transom bracket using a 5/16 wrench. Insert the lower ball stud into the trim plate bracket. Insert a 5/16-inch locking nut onto the ball stud and tighten to secure it into place.

References

• Nauticus Inc: Smart Tabs: Installation and Owner Manual