Smart Tabs recommendation

This topic was started for: ErichDahlem

I have a 1996 20' Bayliner trophy walkaround/cuddy with a 120hp. Which tabs would you recommend for this?

Re: Smart Tabs recommendation

DWJ:

No Guess Work Here. ST1290-60.

Re: Smart Tabs recommendation

If smart tabs are the one's that are not hydrolic just shock loaded remember they don't do well backing up.They will dig into the water going backwards.Not too big of a problem if you don't back up much.

Re: Smart Tabs recommendation

You would have to back up really fast for them to bother it.Why back up fast anyway?

Re: Smart Tabs recommendation

Gary is correct! This is a common mis-conception. The tabs are not deployed enough to make this a problem unless you are trying to back up fast. If they are incorrectly installed with more that the 25 degree deployment angle then this could be an issue.

Re: Smart Tabs recommendation

If you only use the tabs in inland water, small lakes and rivers and want to get on plane faster and stay on plane longer then Smart Tabs is a good way to go.

However if you go offshore or fish big water then get Helm adjustable Trim Tabs like Bennett. They just give you so much more control. Condition change every day or actually every hour. One day you will run 20 MPH in low swells and want very little trim. The next day you will run 9 MPH in big swells and want max trim to keep up on plane at low speed. Next day you will have a 25 MPH cross wind and boat will be leaning into the wind and you will want to level the boat so the deep V works right and to get a dryer ride.
Many days you will be coming in with a big following sea and want no trim at all.

Bottom line for me is with helm adjustable tabs you can adjust for best ride under any conditions. I have a 21 foot Runabout and offshore when it rough I offten adjust every time I change course.

So if all you need is to get on plane faster and stay on plane longer get the cheaper Smart Tabs, if you want full control get helm adjustable Tabs.