Installed Smart Tabs- love them

[handman64]

Well...installed the Smart Tabs on our 2006 Tahoe Q4 S/F and took it out for a test run on Saturday-acted like a different boat. The three main problem issues were corrected- 1. Bow rise, 2. drift a slow speeds, and (the best) 3. porpoising. The Smart Tabs corrected all three. I was a little nervous, but was completely sold after a few minutes on the water. Can't wait to use it again.

 

[Fromtoronto]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

Congrats.


Few questions. I had an outboard before, just got a new Q4. When tested and picked it up, dealer was running trim down very low compared to what I nromally did on the outboard. It makes sense since trim up is usually out of the water, so between down and halfway is about the most you;d want to move it seems while running. Did not have any issues with it though, unlike my outboard, used trim all through from bottom to top and it porpoised and with the fin it flattened, hole shot better and could tube without the bow in the air.

So my question really is , where do you run the trim range normally? As I said, I was taught much higher but dealer ran it down and to half only.... ran ok, but kept low speed ( max 3k rpm) making 30mph, because of break in period...

 

[Fromtoronto]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

Can you show an image of position where you installed? And maybe a little help with it.... used 4200 or 5200 for screws? how deep do they drill in? any issues? thanks....

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

As for adjusting your trim, start all the way down. When you are up on plane, trim up until you start to get a little porpoising, then trim down until the porpoising stops. After a few runs, you will be able to set the trim without getting to the porpoising part.

I have some pics of the install I did of the Smart Tabs on my Q7i in this thread http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2056618#post2056618

Those Smart Tabs were worth every penny.

I used the quick setting 5200 for my install. The holes were drilled through the transom, and I took extra care to ensure there was enough sealant to completely fill the holes once the screws were installed.

 

[handman64]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

Can you show an image of position where you installed? And maybe a little help with it.... used 4200 or 5200 for screws? how deep do they drill in? any issues? thanks....

I'll try to take some pictures. With the swim platform, I had to place them a little closer to the center than wanted, but didn't have any affects from this. The center of each tab is approx. 18" from the center line of the boat. I was told to make sure they were at least 10" from the center.
I had to relocate the tie-down bracket for this position (not a big deal).
I've only taken the boat out once since I've installed them- still working on trim setting. Can't say enough how much they improved the feel of the boat.

 

[Fromtoronto]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

Thanks, Having trouble understanding how they will work with ladder and the tie downs... pics always answer it all.. thanks

 

[pkdayga]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

Finally got mine installed over the weekend and took the boat out for an hour or so yesterday. Absolutely amazing...it is like riding in a different boat. There is little to no bow rise coming up on plane, smooth ride through other boat wakes, and no porpoising. The porpoising was probably one of the more noticable items for me. Usually only have the wife and kids in the boat and have to keep the motor trimmed all the way down. Yesterday, had 6 people in the boat and a full tank of gas and was able to trim the motor too far and actually blew the prop out for a second.

I will try to get some pictures this week and post them if anybody still needs to see them. And for those of you worrying about the straps or the ladder, I had the same concerns. It is not going to be an issue. The tabs our just outside of your straps and the ladder stops a few inches away from the tab.

 

[Fromtoronto]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

Anyone have pictures?

I have them in hand, not yet installed. I sent a email to the company asking about the fitting for Tahoes, no reply in 4 days .... Now sure why ....

 

[Q5inOH]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

I called the company yesterday and talked to them. As of now they do not have a way to mount the tabs on the Tahoes with the curved transoms. They did say that they were working on an adapter but it will be several months before they have it. Guess I'll work on my own shims...

If anyone has any pictures on how they did it, PLEASE post them...

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

About six post up from this one, I posted a link to a thread that had some pics of the install I did on my Q7. As you can see from the pics, the top of the actuator goes on the curved out portion of the transom, right below the swim platform. The tab goes flush with the bottom of the boat and there is a special adapter (sent from Nauticus right after I talked to John about my particular situation) that hooks to the tab. It has only one side instead of the two that came with the kit.

What other pictures do you want to see?

 

[Q5inOH]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

Apparently the Q5 and Q7 transoms are not the same. In the pictures you posted, the Q7 has a step which provides a flat mounting placefor the tabs. The Q5 does not have this step and the transom is curved both vertically and hortizontally from the top to bottom and side to side. So, with no flat place on the transom to mount the hinge for the tabs, an adapter or beveled spacer must be made to mount the tabs. Folks here with Q6's say they have installed them and was just wondering if the transoms were the same as the Q7 or Q5...

Hope this explains my problem a little better.

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

Have you talked to John at Nauticus? Don't use their e-mail contact as I'm not so sure the monitor that. Call them on the phone and ask to speak with John; although he is the one who answered both times I called. He is very knowledgeable about most all installations and may have a sure-fire fix for your situation.

 

[Q5inOH]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

I did talk to Greg at Nauticus, he said they were working on a fix but it would be late summer - fall before they produced it. I'm pondering making my own spacers but I can't decide what to use. I can make a mold to go on the transom and let the boat form the spacer curve but what do I use?

 

[brown_one]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

took the tahoe out yesterday. first time out with new smart tabs. one of the best purchases i have made for the boat. fast on plane, more stable, overall better ride. can't imagine having a boat without them.

 

[kguin]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

If someone could post pics of their install on a Tahoe 195 I/O, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[brown_one]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

here are the pics of my tabs installed on my 195

 

[boughtthewrongboat]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

My I ask where you folks are getting the smart tabs?

Thanks very much!

 

[TJDave]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

My I ask where you folks are getting the smart tabs?

Thanks very much!

I just ordered a set of Smart Tab SX factory blemishes for $99.00 today. The info is right here on this site. Can't wait to get them. I just took the hydrofoil off of my outdrive in anticipation.

 

[rusty1677]

Re: Installed Smart Tabs- love them

here are the pics of my tabs installed on my 195

Great pictures! I just purchased a 2008 tahoe 195 and want to install smart tabs for the same performance issues as everyone else. John, the head guy at Nauticus (who sells the Smart Tabs) told me that if I want to use the plastic composite SX smart tabs that the upper connector for the actuator must be in the same plane as the lower connector. John warned me to stay away from the curved part of the transom. My question is....have you had any binding or breaks with how you connected your SX tabs? If not, your location looks great and I can avoid moving them more inboard and having to move a transducer...thanks again for the great pics!!