trim tabs on 97 GP1200

[dtpoirot]

Howdy all,
I have a set of RIVA trim tabs that I am planning on installing on my otherwise stock '97 GP1200.

The existing tabs have screws in what look like the same places as the replacement tabs.

What do these screws thread into? I am not looking forward to removing everything in the aft compartment just to install the backing plates!

TIA,
- dan

[Bryan Glynn]

They go into nuts and washers. Unfortunately there is no way around having to remove your battery, waterbox, and cutting out some foam to gain access. The only thing that ticked me off, was when back in '97, they would get you to buy the $2 peice of aluminm they call a $60 mounting plate - with the promise that there would be more variations of trim tabs to choose from in the future. The mounting plate is NOT needed whatsoever for mountin of the tabs. You can just use the same bolts and washers as the stock tabs. The advantage of the plate, is that you can then remove the bolts one by one, rethread a couple to hold the plate in position, and switch tabs completely from the outside. If you are never going to switch tabs (obviosuly no one did since Riva never produced any of the other promised designs), all you need are the replacement tabs.

The best advice I can give you is - remove the battery/box and waterbox completely, then use a keyhole saw to hack out the foam. Before you put the stuff back in, rinse out the back of the hull with the ski tilted, and then collect all the bits of foam.

[dtpoirot]

Too late, I have already sunk the $60 into the "mount kit".

I was afraid that the failure mode of the factory tabs was to tear out of the hull. It looks like the backing plates would keep that from happening.

Looks like more rain tomorrow so I will just start pulling stuff.

Thanks for the help,
- dan