Smart Tabs do they work?

[joewithaboat]

Re: Smart Tabs do they work?

Sounds like a win..win..for the smart tabs!

I have had foils and smart tabs...
Smart tabs win easily for what you need, best money i ever spent on a boat. Better out of hole, more top end without trimming, better handling esp in rough water. Even helped low speed wander a little.
I have the SX black version.

 

[bill 22]

Re: Smart Tabs do they work?

I am guessing 115 to 120.

I would like to continue this discussion about the horse power of the 3.0L.

I started a thread in the MerCruiser section “Old Merc. not 140hp?” There probably are other 3.0L owners out there that would like to know more as well.

Bill,

 

[73Chrysler105]

Re: Smart Tabs do they work?

I wanted to add one thing about the smart tabs and trim. Trim is a manufacturers fix to a planing problem. Imagine this when the out-drive is trimmed all the way down it is actually pushing up the rear of the boat so the full force of the prop is not pushing the boat forward but actually pushing it up out of the water as well as forward. With the trim tabs the out-drive can be trimmed to drive the force of the prop directly forward since the tabs now help to lift the boat stably.

 

[bill 22]

Re: Smart Tabs do they work?

I wanted to add one thing about the smart tabs and trim. Trim is a manufacturers fix to a planing problem. Imagine this when the out-drive is trimmed all the way down it is actually pushing up the rear of the boat so the full force of the prop is not pushing the boat forward but actually pushing it up out of the water as well as forward. With the trim tabs the out-drive can be trimmed to drive the force of the prop directly forward since the tabs now help to lift the boat stably.

Thanks for pointing this out. Once I get my smart tabs installed it will help to get me up and going to remember this!!

bill

 

[QC]

Re: Smart Tabs do they work?

Usually not ^^^^ Trim in and tabs down "generally" planes quicker regardless of the perceived benefits. It depends on weight balance and hull shape, weight on board and a bunch of other variables. The problem with propulsion is that center of gravity shifts aft when power is applied, wheeled or floating.

 

[sots]

Re: Smart Tabs do they work?

I replaced the foil on my 20ft deep V 305 V-8 IO with the Smart Tabs a couple of years ago. My boat's fairly heavy and had a fair amount of bow rise with the foil. Once I installed the Smart Tabs and removed the foil, my hole shot improved and the bow didn't rise as much. At WOT my speed increased without trimming the engine out as far which i believe improved my top end as well. Another benefit I discovered is that she turns like she's on rails at much higher speed than with the foil. Better hole shot, lower planning speed, higher top end and improved cornering...all together, the best thing I ever did.

Good to have an opinion of someone with a 20'. What version of smart tab did you use the SX or ST ? 60 lbs or 80 lbs ? I have a Bayliner 192, it has a smaller lighter engine ( 4.3 mercruiser ) than yours but it has extra weight being fresh water cooled, kicker bracket with 9.8 Nisssan and dual batteries. I don't know weather to go with the SX ( composit ) or ST ( Stainless Steel ), 60 lbs or 80 lbs acctuators.

 

[sweetchuck08]

Re: Smart Tabs do they work?

I just installed 80lb smart tabs sx on my 2007 tahoe q6 sf with 4.3 merc. Carbed. I called the manufacture and they told me i should have bought the 60lb tabs. The tabs make my boat plane almost instantly on the hole shot. I got no topend increase though. I have to try adjusting them. Nauticus told me if i don't see a 2-3mph increase after adjustment they will swap out my 80's for 60's as long as they are in new condition. Next week i'm gonna try to pull out my boat to make the adjustments. Keeping my fingers crossed. Hope this helps.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Smart Tabs do they work?

As a new guy still learning on props, would getting a vented prop help him on his hole shot ? I bought an Apollo xhs and it worked wonders on mine in conjunction with the tabs.