On the fence about adding SmartTabs

[superbenk]

My new (to me) Four Winns H200 does pretty well on plane, but I sometimes wonder if SmartTabs would help our. I had them on my last boat (1980 Century 190) & they made a huge difference with both slow speed wander & getting/staying on plane. I'm finding in the new boat that it's very hard to maintain moderately slow speed without plowing & of course, she wanders at displacement speed. The boat has a special hull with molded hook surfaces in the stern that helps with stability and planing so I don't want to mess with that dynamic, but like I said, I really miss some of the features the tabs provided on the old boat. Just hate to add holes to my immaculate new boat....

 

[lprizman]

you will not regret installing them one bit,,,,get er done son!!

 

[NYBo]

Until you install the Smart Tabs, analyze how you are handling the helm at low speed. Many boaters overcompensate when the boat wanders, which makes it worse. Only tiny movements of the wheel are needed, and sometimes no correction at all works best.

 

[crb478]

I suspect that they will help you especially staying on plane at moderate speeds. The only negative I can see with using them on my boat is that it is a little more difficult to maneuver the boat in reverse, but the performance going forward more than makes up for that.

 

[lprizman]

order them with the flip up tab option,,,easier for trailering / reversing and beaching.
let us know how you make out,,,you'll wish you had done it sooner.

 

[superbenk]

you will not regret installing them one bit,,,,get er done son!!

To be clear, I did install them on my last boat & was quick to respond to others the same way! Now I have an immaculate newish hull & I'm hesitant I have no problems keeping the boat on course even with the slight tendency to wander, so I don't have a problem with the over compensation or anything like that. I just remember how much they helped the last boat so while this boat performs exactly as it's supposed to, I know the tabs could make it just a touch better. It's just those holes in this beautiful hull & the odd shape of the stern I'm not used to that makes me question doing it.

 

[superbenk]

You can see what I mean about the stern of the hull here:

 

[Watermann]

Yeah drilling like 14 holes in a new boat tends to make one a bit queasy alright. I would say the pros outweigh the cons though. I love the Nauticus Smart Tabs and would have drilled more in my freshly restored tin if it was needed for the install. If I can do it after sweating for 13 months to rebuild my boat from the ground up, I think you can manage.

 

[lprizman]

do it and do it right,,,the waters warm,,,c'mon in!!
leave time for the set up and dry,,,no worries!!

 

[Mi duckdown]

superbenk I would play with trim/tilt before putting tabs on. YOUR last boat Means Nothing. apples and oranges

 

[Mi duckdown]

THE ONLY time I needed tabs was on inboards. an they were power bennets.??

 

[Maclin]

Super Ben, I would wait for some feedback from owners of boats that have that extended planing surface such as you have now.

 

[superbenk]

I'm in no rush. As I said, the boat performs exactly as it should so it's not a need. I know it will help performance slightly, but certainly isn't a requirement.

 

[midcarolina]

I'm in no rush. As I said, the boat performs exactly as it should so it's not a need. I know it will help performance slightly, but certainly isn't a requirement.

Sounds to me like you are happy with the boats performance........Most install tabs to correct certain performance issues, absent any of those issue's that need to be addressed i wouldnt install them.........

 

[superbenk]

Sounds to me like you are happy with the boats performance........Most install tabs to correct certain performance issues, absent any of those issue's that need to be addressed i wouldnt install them.........

That's the crux of the problem - I'm happy with the boat, but I also have experience with SmartTabs & know how much more they can do for a boat It's that stability at slow (idle) speeds & speed to plane that really appeals to me. I know I can improve what I have even though what I have works as it should.

 

[Maclin]

The extended planing surfaces in your Four Winns design takes care of several planing and stability issues :thumb:

 

[jestor68]

I would leave things well enough alone.

 

[gt2003]

If the boat is acting "right" and not taking forever to plane with the bow in the sky then leave it alone! If, like my 2007 Tahoe Q6, it porpoises all the time then it might be a good idea. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Now, if you are having problems, add them. I tell folks it's the best 125 bucks I spent on my boat!