Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

[QC]

Installed these on a friend's Chaparral 236 SSi over the weekend. Took about an hour and a half. This is the first set of Smart Tabs for me, but I have done three other sets of trim tabs. I am not squeamish about drilling transoms. If you are, it will just take you the extra time that you will stare at it <br /><br />

<br /><br />

<br /><br />NautiJohn was helpful with selection which began back on this thread.<br /><br /> Selection thread<br /><br />I wanted to go out wider, but the radius into that humongous molded in swimstep made it tough. Considering the asymmetrical bracketry I was worried about getting too close to that radius on the starboard side. I didn't want to completely straddle the strake which had an impact on my decision as well. This pic shows the radius and the strake a little better:<br /><br />

<br /><br />I think they will be perfect for this guy and this boat. He is definitely a turnkey and go kinda guy, so the passive nature of these tabs should work well for him. The boat just has a slight tendency to porpoise at high speeds with a load. Probably won't test it though for a few more weeks. I'll post an update then.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

Nice job QC. How is you friend liking the Chaparral? Be sure to tell I said it suuuuurrrre looks good. <br /><br />Why dont you have him post a pic, just to show her off a bit.

 

[QC]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

RP,

He's not much of a poster although he has joined and has one or two posts. Here is a pic of her first trip out about 11 months ago:

He loves the boat. She is very roomy, comfortable and behaves vey well. It is the 320 5.7 Volvo which pushes her to 53 MPH GPS, empty.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

Uh huh.....Gonna give that 6.2 a run for the money huh???? <br /><br />Nice lookin boat. Even if I am a little partial.

 

[QC]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

Originally posted by Reel Poor:<br /> Uh huh.....Gonna give that 6.2 a run for the money huh????

I still have him by around 2 MPH . . . Poor guy, I always find a way . . .

 

[bayman]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

Thanks for posting the info and the pics.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

Q C <br />Nice pictures and thanks for the post. Let us know how he likes the change in performance with the Smart Tabs. He should pick up a few MPH if they are adjsuted correctly.

 

[QC]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

Quick update:<br /><br />The tabs are working very well at lower speeds. Excellent low speed planing and very stable compared to without. Lost a few MPH on the top end, but I expect we'll get that with adjustments. Have only run her in the middle setting on both ends of the actuator. Water was waaaaay too cold to make changes last trip, the massive swim step pretty much requires a full dunking to adjust in the water. Maybe if it was my boat, but he'll have to wait if it is up to me, which with him, all mechanical things are <br /><br />Will try all the way toward the plate on the pressure adjustment next week. We will be pulling her out once between days on this trip, so I can change settings if I need to make any other adjustments. Will post final results then.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

Have you made the adjustments to the tabs yet? I lost a couple of MPH after the smart tab install. The boat handles better overall, but as I let some of the pressure off, the porpoising started to come back.

 

[QC]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

Still seems to be losing a few MPH, but we aren't done yet. I have tried to get the actuators set at the lowest pressure setting, but I can't get one of them all of the way in, so I have left both of them slightly out from the lowest possible setting. I talked with Smart Tabs today and they are sending me some different rod ends. The rod end is hitting the screw that attaches the bottom angle bracket to the trim plate. They hadn't heard of the contact before, yet believe that the installation looks fine. We'll see. This boat barely porpoised, so it was pretty well setup for top speed as is.<br /><br />Still playing, so I really didn't want to post anything until I had worked the whole deal. I also want to try the highest angle setting although that should have no affect on the top speed issue. She is staying nice and flat at low speeds and may actually be plowing just a little, so I think up a little will be a decent compromise. We take her out again on Memorial Weekend. Will report after that trip.

 

[magster65]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

I'm curious too.

 

[QC]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

Had good results over Memorial Weekend with these. They are now set on lowest pressure I can get them and highest initial position. I still can't get to the absolute lowest pressure position and the different rod ends actually make this worse. Anyway, he wasn't carrying his GPS, but RPM was back up to where it needed to be. Very stable and comfortable. Not plowing anymore either. I am going to do a back to back with the actuators off next trip (July 2nd). This will confirm the top speed question once and for all . . .

 

[bullshiper]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

Originally posted by QC:<br /> Installed these on a friend's Chaparral 236 SSi over the weekend. Took about an hour and a half. This is the first set of Smart Tabs for me, but I have done three other sets of trim tabs. I am not squeamish about drilling transoms. If you are, it will just take you the extra time that you will stare at it <br /><br />

<br /><br />

<br /><br />NautiJohn was helpful with selection which began back on this thread.<br /><br /> Selection thread<br /><br />I wanted to go out wider, but the radius into that humongous molded in swimstep made it tough. Considering the asymmetrical bracketry I was worried about getting too close to that radius on the starboard side. I didn't want to completely straddle the strake which had an impact on my decision as well. This pic shows the radius and the strake a little better:<br /><br />

<br /><br />I think they will be perfect for this guy and this boat. He is definitely a turnkey and go kinda guy, so the passive nature of these tabs should work well for him. The boat just has a slight tendency to porpoise at high speeds with a load. Probably won't test it though for a few more weeks. I'll post an update then.

 

[bullshiper]

Re: Smart Tabs for 236 SSi

I have a 236 sunesta with a merc 5.0 bravo three that is just a dog to plane with anyone on it do you this the smart tabs will help