Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

[aerwin]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

John, ive got a 79 gulfstream with an omc 800 drive, I will gladly test a set for you,

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

John, ive got a 79 gulfstream with an omc 800 drive, I will gladly test a set for you,

In your dreams aerwin! You'd have better luck getting on a list for blems.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

There is a list for blems Boomyal?
I'm glad i bought mine before that started8)8)

I would not trade mine for twice of what i paid!

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

aerwin;

In the very beginning we likely gave more product away for "testing" than we sold. Most everyone looked at the product and said it can't do all that much. Unfortunately, like everyone else, our families like to eat, and we need to sell them. Tough decision but hungry kids keep wanting more food.
It is very important to us that we keep our cost down, and that has been a hard these past few years. Stainless Steel has risen to more than double the cost of two and a half years ago. Some of that we needed to pass on through price increases, and some we took on.

Recent test (independent sources such as Larson Boats) have included fuel economy data, and the results confirmed our own tests. At average operating speeds between 2000 RPMs and 4000 RPMs showed fuel economy improvements of over 12%.

Mercury Marine market studies show that the average boat owner uses his boat 55 hours per year (engine time). Assuming the average I/O fuel consumption is approximately 6.5 Gal. Per Hr, the total fuel consumed for the year would be 357 Gallons. At a pump price of $3.50 per gallon time 357 the fuel cost for the year would be $1251.00 At a savings of 12% the savings would be $150.00

The 18 to 22 MPH speeds use the most fuel and the Smart Tabs benefits are significantly more, more than double in some cases. This speed is most common for towing wake boarders and tubes.

In short you could say that the Smart Tabs are free after one year and make money from there on.

Then on top of that you get the performance improvemnts.

For all of the Smart Tabs users - What has your experiance been?

 

[nlain]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

See my post above, first reply to Ghost Rider 2. 8)

 

[Ghost Rider 2]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

I am the original starter of this post, and think I got a great reply. I am not sure what happened with people wanting them for free. I think if a product works it is worh investing in. I have heard nothing negitive about these so I figure they are worth the money. I am ordering a set. And yes I am paying for them. If I would have been lucky enough to have got a set during the original testing that would have been great. But like the man says his kids like to eat too.

 

[aerwin]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

I know it dosn't hurt to ask now does it. LOL I am planing on buying them anyway. from what I have seen in this post, they will work for me very well. I will deffinatly report in when I get them and on the water. I like the fact that once you get them set-up, you don't have to keep adjusting them when your driving the boat, set it and forget it

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

On the fuel saving topic i did notice a difference. Most of my boating is riding or towing a tube or wakeboard.Usually cruising speeds are around 3000 to 3700 rpm..
I'm sure that being able to stay on plane at lower speeds uses less power and fuel.
I have been VERY happy with them!8)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

I installed mine originally because I had an underpowered boat that had trouble getting on plane. They were an immediate help in that regard but I bought a bigger engine so I never had a chance to fine tune them for the old motor. They are now fine tuned for the bigger and heavier motor. I am happy as a clam with the hole shot, high speed performance, rough water handling and especially the ability to maintain lower on-plane speed. You simply cannot get more handling and performance improvement for less money.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

I put a set on a 19' bayliner a few years ago. It was like a new boat!

Better hole shot.
Lower on plane speed.
Better handling.

Buy a set of smarttabs. You won't regret it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

I have a question regarding the Smart tabs.

I do a lot of boating out in the Channel Islands in California. There are many times that I am out here and it is rough. I am running slow just at planing speed and the worst thing for me would be to have my bow pushed lower. Been a few times where I almost caught my bow in a wave coming down from another.

Are they not reccomended in these situations? Sure seems like manual trim tabs would be the way to go under these circumstances.

 

[QC]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

Been a few times where I almost caught my bow in a wave coming down from another.

Sure seems like manual trim tabs would be the way to go under these circumstances.

I would call them "adjustable", but this is another big reason I prefer them to Smart Tabs. You can use trim to get the bow where you want and use the tabs at the precise position to barely keep her on plane or visa versa. It is these almost infinite combinations that make me swear by them . . .

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

QC,

What I meant were Bennet style trim tabs.

Seems to me that the Smart Tabs could be unsafe depending on where you do your boating.

 

[QC]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

I am generally using "helm adjustable" as there are quite a few manufacturers now when you add in Lenco and K-plane's etc. I was agreeing, just thought manual sounded like fixed although I knew what you meant.

I want to clarify I am NOT contradicting any of John's claims, I just prefer the ability to pull them up when I don't want them, on the fly list adjustments and other combos that are impossible with Smart Tabs. Budget is always an issue with any of these discussions, as well as the skill (or lack there of) of the operator, and the conditions expected . . . All are valid considerations.

 

[nlain]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

bruceb58, as a user of smart tabs in both the rivers and the sound I can say that you can adjust the bow height with outdrive trim to keep the bow high or low. The sound I run in can go from glass smooth to 2 to 4 chop in a hurry and I have no problem at all. I can actually stay on a slow plane with Smart Tabs in the rough water where I could not before. I feel that the tabs actually hold the stern up so you can adjust the bow where you want it to run. If I should by another boat that does not have tabs on it I would by another set of Smart Tabs and install on that boat, I like them that well.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

I just prefer the ability to pull them up when I don't want them,~~~~~~~~that are impossible with Smart Tabs.

Can do with Smart Tabs. Just order the ones you want with the ProTroller levers (part# PR500), install them backward and you can bend over the transom and lift the tabs up out of the water.

However, with them in the down position, in a following sea, I think they would tend to want to lift the bow by pressing down on the transom. (That would be good) I've ridden following seas back from Ana Cappa Island (pre tabs) and the following sea wants to lift the stern and drive the nose down (not good)

 

[QC]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

Awright, I give up. With that said, I have run both and those of you that have not used helm adjustable tabs well . . . uh . . . haven't . . .

Boomer, try to pull em up just a little while you are underway, and then put 'em down a little to double check and then pull up only the port one and oh yeah, don't leave your seat . . . I really am trying to give up, I just don't know how :% :^

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

Awright, I give up. With that said, I have run both and those of you that have not used helm adjustable tabs well . . . uh . . . haven't . . .

Boomer, try to pull em up just a little while you are underway, and then put 'em down a little to double check and then pull up only the port one and oh yeah, don't leave your seat . . . I really am trying to give up, I just don't know how :% :^

QC, I have no quarrel with your opinion. I'd love to have a set of manually adjustable tabs with GPS controlled leveling capabilities But I'm talkin' real world affordable solutions here. What is it? 500+ vs 170$? Plus, even with the fancy leveling system, you don't have the instantaneous adjustment that ya get with ST's. Also I only have two hands. One for the wheel and one for the adult beverage8) Hey! I'm grandfathered in. I lived a boating life of liquid pleasure with never an incident. Just 'cause these younger yahoo's with no common sense get into trouble, don't be judgin me.

I got a new boat for 170$, How much did you have to pay for a new boat?

 

[fraserscrane]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

my buddy installed these on his 1985 doral 17' tri hull,with a 1990 omc 70 h.p.HUGE difference in the handling.He say's It was the best money he ever spent.period..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Smart Tab, Trim Tab Do you use them?

install them backward and you can bend over the transom and lift the tabs up out of the water.

It would be impossible to pull up Smart Tabs on my boat without getting in the water. I could also not think of a more dangerous thing to do while in rough conditions.