Trim Tabs -- Will these work well?

[frogseatflies]

I've got a 10' Fast Roller 310 Zodiac inflatable boat with an 8hp 4-stroke mercury. I use my boat as a way to get me to snorkeling and fishing spots.

I bought these trim-tabs on clearance at West Marine. I was just about to install them but thought I'd do some research first. I'd rather get trim tabs that really kick-butt versus what's on clearance. So does anybody know if these ones are good or if there are some that you really like?

See the trim tab image below:

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Trim Tabs -- Will these work well?

Nice foldable trim tabs, assume comes in different sizes for different size baots ? Trim tabs usually betters faster planing issues with underpowered engines. A 310 sib is rated for at least a 9.9 HP with an 8 HP bit underpowered. If your concern is drilling transom holes to find latter that trim tabs doesn't work as intended. Don't install them, go rather for a wot spin you alone, move your weight farthest bow you can, wether sitting on tubes or middle deck. Full throttle, see what happens ? If planes easily install them, if not return them back to WM...

On the market you can find clown shoe like size trim tabs that will theoretically plane near everything, but oh boy they do extend extremely long at back transom..

Happy Boating

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Trim Tabs -- Will these work well?

Not sure how old your boat is but
If your Fast Roller has the Active V Hull and the anti-drift fins you cant use the trim tabs.

Zodiac went to the Active V Hull and anti- fins to improve performance and to allow higher performance with a smaller engine.
I have a FR325 and im using a 5hp now over a 9.9hp because of these changes.
Note:
The air floor and Active V Hull must be filled with a High Pressure airpump.
Performance is just so so without the hull and floor being inflated properly

btw
Did your Fastroller come with or without the bow locker?

 

[frogseatflies]

Re: Trim Tabs -- Will these work well?

The plate on my Zodiac's transom says the max power is 10hp.
My Zodiac is a 1995.
It did not come with a bow locker (since I don't even know what that is).

I can plane by myself real easily with my 8hp. In glassy water I can plane decently fast with two people. But if the waves have some chop, I'd like to plane as fast as I do when it's glassy.

The FR325 sounds great.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Trim Tabs -- Will these work well?

If you already have a decent plane with a 8 HP with 2 up, try them out to see if planes faster with chop...

Happy Boating

 

[frogseatflies]

Re: Trim Tabs -- Will these work well?

Anyone have an opinion if these particular trim tabs (shown at the beginning of this post) will work well?
Or would these trim tabs work better?

These folding versions don't seem like they'll have a rigid fit once installed.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Trim Tabs -- Will these work well?

With under powered engine, planing fast on choppy seas will take some time compared to doing so on flat calm waters. Choppy waters drags sib along, worst with choppy and wavy sea cond. It's not a pleasent ride for passengers sitting up front. On those unconfy cond better is to maintain a fast displacement speed or what comes inmediately after, a slow plane. Seems the posted link isn't opening...

Happy Boating