Putting trim tabs on dinghy

[MV Wanderlust]

Good Morning,

I'm hoping some of you can provide advice and/or share your experiences with putting self-leveling tabs on a small boat. Here's the scenario:

We have a 10' rigid dinghy. It resembles an inflatable RIB but it's entirely fiberglass, including the pontoons. It is a center console with a steering wheel and throttle/shift controlling a four stroke, 15 HP Mercury. The outboard already has a dolphin tail on it. With a full fuel tank, it weighs about 475 lbs.

With two of us sitting on the bench seat, the bow picks up quickly but it will only plow, even at full throttle. Once the bow comes up, if the passenger moves up to the bow, the dinghy pops up on plane nicely and the speed triples. At that point, the passenger can return to the regular seat and it will remain on plane.

There are several companies that manufacture self-leveling trim tabs. These are made by Bennett. We are wondering if installing a pair of these would allow the dinghy to get on plane without the passenger having to hop back and forth to the bow? Has anyone done this before?


Baby. Can't see the rear of the transom in this shot.


Close up of the starboard side of the transom (sanding down the bottom paint). The bracket on lower right would need to be removed but it isn't being used for anything, anyway.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks.

John