Once again! Smart tabs prove their worth.

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
I haven't had the boat out for a year until last Monday. It is a 20 ft runabout with a 5.0 Ford and an OMC stringer. I took six neighbors out for play on the river. That made a total of 7 of us; three adults and four kids from 9 to 17 y/o. That was quite a load for the old Gulfstream.

Most of our play was at tubing speeds (slow) and those Smart Tabs lifted the stern and allowed me maximum speed control without the normal bow rise.

They just remain to be incredible in what they do!
 
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
940
Re: Once again! Smart tabs prove their worth.

That's good to know. I'll be getting into the tubing thing next year with the grandkids and I'm planning on installing Smart tabs before the boat goes back in the water next spring. I hope my results are as good :)
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: Once again! Smart tabs prove their worth.

That's good to know. I'll be getting into the tubing thing next year with the grandkids and I'm planning on installing Smart tabs before the boat goes back in the water next spring. I hope my results are as good :)

I guarantee it, and I don't even have a vested interest in them. They will transform your boat in many ways!.
 

JEBar

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 4, 2012
Messages
462
Re: Once again! Smart tabs prove their worth.

we are getting ready to install trim tabs on our boat and its nice to read such a good report .. ;)

Jim
 

mvn

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 25, 2007
Messages
204
Re: Once again! Smart tabs prove their worth.

You will not be disappointed!

Mark
 

TJDave

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 6, 2009
Messages
184
Re: Once again! Smart tabs prove their worth.

Good to hear that your old Gulfstream is still going strong. Mine is too, although my Niece and her hubby own it now. Still a great boat. I was out on the water with them last weekend.

The Smart Tabs worked so good on my old Gulfstream, I put them on the Reinell. Same great results.
 

superbenk

Commander
Joined
Oct 27, 2008
Messages
2,033
Re: Once again! Smart tabs prove their worth.

Love my Smart Tabs & recommend them to all my boating friends.
 

Cobalt226

Cadet
Joined
Jul 16, 2012
Messages
29
Re: Once again! Smart tabs prove their worth.

Love my Smart Tabs & recommend them to all my boating friends.

I have considered adding trim tabs to my boat but do not know enough about them. Can anyone recommend which are best and about how much would it cost to add? I have a 1999 Cobalt 226 with 7.4L Bravo One
 

Maclin

Admiral
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
Re: Once again! Smart tabs prove their worth.

A lot depends on the size of the boat and what type of boating you do and where. Smart Tabs brand are automatic, and work well on boats 25' and under usually, and require no operator input. But they are not adjustable for boating conditions that you may encounter in ocean or great lake travel. For 22' and under runabouts they work well, and most operators of boats that size and type do not want to have to think about trim tabs.

Hydraulic tabs are helm adjustable, and may have some "smarts" to go down automatically at rest or things like that, but they do require attention and the operator has to be ready to adjust them along with everyything else. On larger boats the adjustability is welcomed as those operators are used to having a lot of input required from them to pilot their boat.
 

Maclin

Admiral
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
Re: Once again! Smart tabs prove their worth.

Cobalt226, do not be shy about starting a new topic just for your boat. You will get a lot of good info and experiences related to your situation.
 

airdvr1227

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 15, 2009
Messages
1,666
Re: Once again! Smart tabs prove their worth.

First season with smart tabs on lake Erie. What an improvement in ride over last season.
 
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