Trim Tabs for a boat that never had them

[luckydude]

I think OP just needs some guidance on how to do it. I'm no expert but I upgraded my tabs and had to seal the old holes and drill new ones.
All I did was fill the old holes with 5200, smear the back of the hinge with 5200 and screwed it on. I really have no way of knowing but I don't think they leak. It's less of an issue for me because I don't believe there is wood in a 2020 Grady transom. But if they do leak, I'd take them back off and seal them better.

 

[DennisG01]

I think OP just needs some guidance on how to do it. I'm no expert but I upgraded my tabs and had to seal the old holes and drill new ones.
All I did was fill the old holes with 5200, smear the back of the hinge with 5200 and screwed it on. I really have no way of knowing but I don't think they leak. It's less of an issue for me because I don't believe there is wood in a 2020 Grady transom. But if they do leak, I'd take them back off and seal them better.

Oh, sure, I get it. When someone hasn't had much experience with things there's always some apprehension. That's why looking in the installation directions is good - I did my first tab install when I was about 19 and all I had were those things printed in black on white paper And, truthfully, this is also why I was trying to shy him away of "internet only" research as it can often be wrong... and sometimes overwhelming. Sometimes it's good (often, actually) to just physically look at things. One can spend hours and hours on the computer... or maybe 30 minutes physically looking

FYI, be careful with the 5200 - the overuse of 5200 is because of....... the internet! Truth is, there are really only a few cases where 5200 is appropriate.

 

[PointedRose]

A few install tips for your transom holes:

Predrill small pilot holes using a drill guide if possible so the screws go in straight/perpendicular. Put a piece of tape on your drill bit to help you know the right depth to stop drilling. Then redrill with the right sized bit for your screws. Before doing anything else use a larger bit to countersink the holes from the outside - this helps prevent Gelcoat cracking, and provides adequate place for the sealant to do its job and create a good seal.

If you do drill through the transom for the wire, it’s best to coat the inside of the hole with epoxy, especially with a wood core. use a qtip for a small hole.

then you want to prepare your transom area for the tabs themselves. Clean with little bit of acetone and let it evaporate/dry off. Use throw away gloves when applying sealant because it gets gooey and messy, and put painters tape down for just outside the edge of where you place the tabs to control the mess. Apply generous sealant to the transom and also the screws before they go in (you might use most of a tube). When you screw in the first time, do not fully tighten and leave a little loose for 24 hours so the sealant sets up. Then go back the next day and tighten down snug - this prevents all the sealant from squeezing out initially. After it’s tight, trim the excess sealant that extruded around the tab with a utility knife, and remove the tape.( you want a full extrusion of sealant around the whole edge of the tab to know there is a good seal).

Good luck and enjoy the project

 

[luckydude]

FYI, be careful with the 5200 - the overuse of 5200 is because of....... the internet! Truth is, there are really only a few cases where 5200 is appropriate.

I think you are right, I believe I used 4200, just had a senior moment

 

[DennisG01]

I think you are right, I believe I used 4200, just had a senior moment

I think I have some of those once in awhile, too... but to be honest, I don't remember.