Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

[maillon]

Hello, <br /><br />I have 18 footer center console with a heavy Honda 130. Haven't tried it yet but I'd figure I need at least a hydrofoil to have decent performance. Smart tabs seem nice but will the hydrofiol do?<br /><br />Thanks for your help.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

I like the theory and what I've read about the smart tabs but the whale tail doesn't cost as much so I probably try that (hydrofoil) first, and if I wasn't happy with that, I try the tabs.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[rl29]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

Maillon: Funny you bring this topic up. I just repowered a 18 foot boat with the same honda 130 a week ago and ran into that weight issue. But anyways after sticking the motor on I couldn't get the boat to plane. Just wanted to porpoies. I was not very happy because I was afraid of something like this happening with that extra 170lbs. of weight. But anyways took it back to the dealed and he called Honda. Of coarse they would rather have you put the tabs on the boat instead of the hydrofoil on the motor. Reason being it would put all the pressure on the lower unit of the motor. So I told him to put the tabs on the boat not realizing he was going to put on what they call a step and trim tab. Which you set and are permanent. They run about $80.00. They only thing I don't like about them is that I feel they are always draging being they don't flex back up being there at a permanent setting. But being he had them on we gave them a whirl and they worked great once I got them set. But if you got $180.00 for the smart tabs I think I would go that route. I told the Wife I would really like to give them a shot but she kind of talked me out of that because these other tabs are working just fine and there $100.00 cheaper and I would also have more holes in the transom. But I feel that this is a minor adjustment. I think you'll also feel the same way with this motor. This motor is so quiet I couldn't believe it. The wife asked me a couple of times if it was running at idle. If it wasn't for the water coming out of the **** hole you wouldn't know it. And the gas mileage is unreal. I bet I'm using about 40% less gas then what I was using with my 125hp 2 stroke. Which ever way you end up going will probably work but you'll forget about it after you run that motor. It runs sweet. Enjoy!

 

[Dan180cc]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

Maillon,<br /><br /> Recently I bought a Sea-Pro 180 center console with a Johnson 140 4 stroke. I had almost the same problem the boat would porpoise at all trim levels above full down, See the thread on the Boat Problems under Sea Pro Propoising. The dealer fixed the problem by changing the prop from a 14x17 to a 14x21. The propoising stopped and it allows me to raise the trim up and plane out real nice. Im not sure exactly why this worked but it did. The only thing that changed was the hole shot is not as fast but the top end is unreal 57 mph. I to was considering trim tabs but did not want to drill the holes in the transom<br />You may want to try and get the dealer to change props, it worked for me. Dan

 

[aero320]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

If you are going to the trouble to install trim tabs go with the Bennetts. I have an 18' Triton originally with a Ficht 175 on a 6" Jackplate. Had porpoising problem originally and tried the hydrofoil. Did not work very well. Triton put what they called "wedges" on the bottom of the transom towards the outside. That took care of the porpoising problem. I later installed Bennett trim tabs and would never have another boat without them. You can adjust the boats attitude at practically any speed. Sometimes I have a 30 gallon bait tank at the rear of the boat. With the tabs adjusted properly, the boat performs as though it were riding on rails! At wot, the tabs get retracted and do not interfere. Bennett's customer service is very good also. If you plan on installing the tabs your self, it will take all day. I even took pictures of the process.

 

[maillon]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

One Last Cast,<br /><br />Thanks for your insight. If you were to go with the Smart tabs, would you go with 80 pound actuators or the 60?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />- Mike

 

[maillon]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

One last Cast,<br /><br />Another question(s),<br /><br />How much does your boat weigh?<br />Do you have a 20 or 25 inch shaft?<br /><br />My engine is 20 inches. The boat is a wide cathedral hull boat. I'm hoping I won't have too much bow rise when I hit it.<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[rl29]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

Maillon: I'm not real sure what the weight of the boat is for sure. I think the manual said 1400lbs. without motor. But its got a 20" shaft.<br />I would of went with the 80# actuators. Mine really had a hard time coming out of the hole. But I tell you what heres a web page address and you can check it out. They got a couple of write ups done by different magizines that did tests. Also they got a 1-800-# you could call and get some advice. I'm sure they'll work with you if the 80lb. actuators are to much. But remember these are adjustable. Also you can buy direct or cabela's and a bunch of other retailers carry them. But heres the address www.nauticusinc.com. I still think they'll end up on my boat before its all done. Just got to let things cool down a little so the wife will forget about the extra money being spent. But I really do like their concept. I wished thats what the dealer would of put on mine in the first place. Oh well let me know how you come out.

 

[rl29]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

Maillon: This will probably really confuse you. But I just got done poking around on honda's marine home page. Hell they offer a 2 piece hydrofoil. Part # is 06998-zw7-a00ah. So I don't know why the Rep didn't want us to try that first being they sell them. I don't get it. You might want to check with your dealer and see if they give you the same answer as I got about all the pressure on the lower unit. Thought I'd let you know.

 

[maillon]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

One last cast,<br /><br />Thanks for the info. I too saw the hydrofoil on the honda website. I also called nauticous.com about what actuators i should go with. The recommended the 60 pounders. I hope its not too little. Thanks for the info on your boat. My boat is 1400 pounds as well. I bought my engine used from Canada so I only have limited support. I was originally looking for a 90-115. My boat definately does not need this amount of horse power (130). But I could not pass up the deal.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />- Mike

 

[rl29]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

Maillon: But its nice to have the extra horses when you need them. I figured I was going backwards going to the 90 and the 115 and 130 where the same weight. So for the extra $500. for the extra 15 hp. why not. So you enjoy the extra ponies and have a safe and happy 4th.

 

[maillon]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

Hello All,<br /><br />Just thought I'd give you an update on my boat and results I've had with my BF130<br /><br />For the first time I put the boat in the water (17 ft Mckee craft @ 1500 pounds with a used Honda BF130) I was worried about the weight on the transom and decided to install the smart tabs with out even testing the boat first. <br /><br />After being a little scared about hanging 500 pounds on my 27 year old boat I am happy to say that all is fine. <br /><br />The smart tabs are wonderful. I have very little bow rise when I take off and when the boat settles down from comming off the throttle. <br /><br />Thanks to all for your help.

 

[rl29]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

Maillon: Glad to hear that worked for you. I'm sure enjoying mine. Just think how it'll come up out of the hole once you get the 17" pitch prop on it. I started out with the 15" being with the porpoiesing and all. But was running about 6100 RPM's. After installing the tabs went up to the 17" and turning about 5600 to 5700 RPM now. And she runs sweet and thats where she is going to stay. But what kind of speed are you getting out of the 19"? Just thinking I might have to get the dealer to let me try the 19". Just kidding with the 17" on I can run about 50mph. Thats fast enough. Enjoy!

 

[maillon]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

One Last Cast.<br /><br />A special thanks to you for your insight.<br /><br />I do have a one small problem. when I trim the motor up and at high speeds, water starts to shoot up the spill over into the transom. I think I need to raise the engine a couple of notches on the engine bolts. I have a feeling the water is not hitting the cavitation plates correctly. Once I get the engine set up right and the right prop, I think I can get around 47.<br /><br />Keep in touch....

 

[rl29]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

Maillon: Not real sure why it would be doing that. Is it coming off the tabs hitting something to bring it back in over the transom? I'm sure you'll get it figured out. Good luck! Oh ya by the way does your motor make a wierd howling noise at about 3000 RPM's. Its not real loud but mine will make this wierd noise at about 3000 rpm, give or take a couple hundred rpm's. But like I said before its not real loud. Plus maybe most people might not hear it because they're far enough away from the motor. I'm only arms length. Just checking.

 

[maillon]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

No, I can't say that it does. The boat is a family boat and I just completed my 1 week vacation with it. My brothers now have it for their vacations. Will let you know if there are any problems.

 

[ZEE]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

This is an old topic, but my 2 cents worth: Bennett 18" wide trim tabs on my Scout 202 and a 4-blade prop have made a world of difference in the waters of the chesapeake bay. I reccomend them for all boats. They allow setting optimal attitude regardless of loading or chop. Note; Do Not Take Off WOT if they in in the full "bow down" position - you might swamp the boat. You need to set them for every condition. They are great. Don't skimp - Buy Bennetts or equal!

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

Zee;<br /><br />Bennett make a very reliable product, and I also recommend them on boats that are 24' and up. One reason you are getting the radical bow down on a WOT take off is that the tabs are a bit large for the boat and you can not bring them up quick enough. Smart Tabs come up automatically as soon as the water pressure exceeds the actuator load, and properply sized this occurs as the boat goes on plane. The other thing is that with either Bennett or Smart Tabs, you do not need to go WOT to get on plane easily.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

One Last Cast;<br /><br />The fixed (Step and Trim) trim tab will cost you more money in the long run. If you adjust it with enough down agle to help the boat on plane, then the extra stern lift while cruising will push the bow down and require more throttle to maintain the speed. The "drag" is is a combination of the plates in the back and the extra hull in the water ( bow down attitude.) Then you try to raise the bow with the trim on the motor and you are using the propeller to do something in addition to propelling ( that is not efficient). The most efficient possition for the prop is perpendicular to the surface of the water, not trimmmed up to raise the bow because the fixed trim tabs or hydrofoil is driving the bow down. In short you are going to spend more money for fuel, still not get the best results.

 

[ZEE]

Re: Smart tabs or Hydrofoil?

Nautijohn, I couldn't agree more. I chose the 18" tabs over the 12" because the Honda is heavier than 2-strokes and because I have a baitwell that can add a lot of transom weight. My reference to going WOT was a warning to anyone unfamiliar with any size tabs - all boat must be "trimmed out" for optimal ride and sea condition! I'm not familiar with the smart tabs - they may be simpler to use, but I like the control I have with the Bennetts, and to date, they have been utterly reliable.