Re: Smart Tabs or Bennett Self-Leveling Tabs
I guess it is time for me to hop in since the original question was looking for a recommendation between the Bennett Self Leveling Tabs and Smart Tabs. As you may suspect we feel we have the best system of this type. In addition we feel that the performance results are enhanced dramatically because Smart Tabs can be fine tuned to suite the specific boat. This may seem unnecessary when you are simply trying to get on plane quicker, however that is not the case, as we have learned over the last 14 years.
Let me tell you about a phone call I received just a few hours ago, which is quite common. A fellow called to discuss the adjustments he should make to his newly installed Smart Tabs. He was delighted that the boat no longer porpoised, and that it allowed him to run smooth and clean through moderate chop at 40 MPH, but he was not satisfied with the fact that he had lost 5 to 6 MPH at the top speed. The boat is a 20’ 210 HP I/O open bow late model boat. When he ordered the Smart Tabs the retailers application chart did not differentiate between a 210 HP I/O (6 Cyl.) and a 210 HP Outboard. He purchased the SX9510-80 which is not what he should have. Our “Smart Choice APP” (product selector) and our application charts show that his boat should use the SX9510-60.
The difference is 20 Lb load per actuator for a total of 40Lb which seems insignificant considering the boat weight is in excess of 2500 lbs. It is not insignificant as he found with the loss of top speed. We provide actuators with 7 load ratings ranging from 20Lb to 90Lb and then have five pressure adjustments on the plate for each load rating. If only two or three actuator could provide the correct balance and best possible performance we would be happy to reduce our inventory, but they cannot.
For this customer our first recommendation was simply to adjust the pressure by moving the actuator mounting from position 3 down to position 1. He regained his top speed, and retained the ride and control as well as the nearly instant time to plane (hole shot). Too much stern lift at cruising or top speed will not only reduce the maximum speed but, create bow steering, and a tendency to list to port (left) and a loss of fuel economy.
The other advantage to having these adjustment capabilities is leveling the boat port to starboard when you have a “permanent” weight / balance issue. The use of a kicker motor mounted to one side of the primary motor would be a good example. The actuator adjustment can compensate for the list by making one side stronger than the other.
Side to side control is not available from the helm, but some control is achieved automatically in a similar manner as you would experience from the suspension system in your car. If maximum port to starboard control is desired then helm controlled trim tabs are the option.
The key difference between the Bennett SLT system and the Smart Tabs system is the difference between a coil spring reaction and the nitrogen gas pneumatic technology. “Spring” tension starts out low and builds as it is compressed so that maximum resistance / lift is achieved when the plates are fully retracted and the boat is on plain. The nitrogen gas actuator achieves maximum resistance before and during the compression cycle, and is reduced to the specific load rating (ie: 60Lbs) when compression stops (Tabs Up). In other words Smart Tabs provide more lift during the “hole shot” and less once on plane.