Smart Tabs question??

[danfrompgh]

Reading a recent post I saw many reccomendations for Smart Tabs over Hydrofoils ,pros/cons. Some Smart Tabs being offered from Iboats are listed as automatic others as electrical. Do the automatic work as well as the manufacturer states or are you best to spend the extra $$ and have the added adjustability of the electric.
I am trying to stabilize my 2000 21ft open bow bayliner during no-wake steering and get the bow down some while pulling the 2 (always 2) tubes. Getting on plane is not bad,5 sec when running hard but I am usually pulling a kid or 2 so that does'nt happen much. I know it's a matter of opinion and Thanks in advance!!

 

[180shabah]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

First Smart Tabs are not electric(there are other systems that are). Smart Tabs are fully automatic once you have properly set them up. They use a pressurized cylinder (same concept as the ones that hold the liftgate open on SUV's and mini vans) to operate the tab.

YES, they are as good as the manufacturer claims. Thier customer service is excelent, in fact one of thier bigwigs is a member here at iboat and has helped several people dial in thier Smart Tabs, he has even helped a few with some non-standard installations.

Are they as good as the electric or hydraulic trim tabs? Not really. You can't decide on the fly how you want them to behave. However, I would rather not have to deal with teaching everyone who drives my boat how to use them. With the Smart Tabs there is nothing to do, just put the boat in gear and go.

I vote, get the Smart Tabs and save yourself $400 and the agrevation of teaching others to use the regular tabs.

 

[paulrfrancisco]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

With smarttabs, you will not get any lateral adjustment... say 2 heavy people on one side of the boat... and you want to level it out...

 

[milkyway]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

I second the motion. Make sure to get the right tabs for your boat's weight.

 

[QC]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

I am a huge proponent of both systems although I favor helm adjustable (electric) for myself. However, I am starting to agree with 180shabah for the exact reasons he mentions. Either way, get some tabs!!!!! You will not be sorry . . .

 

[Don S]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

Moving to Boat Topics and Questions (Not Engine Topics)

 

[QC]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

I was just saying to myself, "hey, I know this thread was in the I/O forum" . . . oh yeah . . . there's a new Sheriff in town Imagine that, forum maintenance in the I/O section Thanks Don.

 

[nlain]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

I have Smart Tabs on my boat, they do everything advertised, I would put them on another boat if the occasion arises. It takes a few runs to get them adjusted properly, at least it did for me, once adjusted you do not bother with them anymore, you simply adjust the boat attitude with the motor/drive trim.

 

[scrobo]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

I don;t know if it is supposed to do this... but...

Every time I view this thread an ad pops up for winning a free PS3 or a similar ad. Religiously. No other forums doing it to me or threads so far.

Anyone else getting this issue?

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

Sounds like adware.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

No pop-ups here...

 

[scrobo]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

Ok.

Apparently it was adware.

It must work with keywords on the page. Only happened with this page

Damn adware.

On a side note:

I have the Smart tabs and I am going to be setting up a cable system so I can pull them UP or Down when needing adjustments. Maybe a little complicated... but it was suggested to me by other owners.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

Scrobo;

Look at the PR500 plate retractor kit. It will be less money that the pulley system. www.nauticusinc.com

 

[aerwin]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

smart tabs made an old boat that rode terible and bow rise act like a new boat, nothing but praise!!!!

 

[scrobo]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

I'm impressed by the look alone Makes the old 58 look like some high tech racer.

Man. I am easy to impress

 

[weinj1]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

I finally took the plunge and put a set of Smart Tabs on my 20 ft. Renken 200 open bow 4.3 litre Mercruiser stern drive.
My main problem before the tabs was extreme unpredicatble bow wander at low speeds. Docking was a nightmare. Also, where we boat here in Saskatchewan, there is a small channel connecting two lakes. Two boats can get by each other in the channel except if one of the boats is mine. I've gotten so many dirtly looks from the other boaters that I refused to go thru the channel anymore.
I decided that due to all the good things I heard I would try a set of Smart Tabs. Only one problem is where do I get them in Canada. I couldn't find any info on Nauticus' website so I called their 800 number and asked for the Canadian distributor. The fellow at Nauticus gave me the phone number and also asked questions about my particular application. He said for my boat I should order the 60 lb actuators. I told him all of the spec sheets indicate I would need 80 lb. He assured me 60lb would be sufficient and if it wasn't he would replace them with the 80 lb.
A few days later I had the SX-60 in my hands and ready to install. The installation did take a little longer due to the packaging/instructions not being as detailed as the aluminum tabs. However, I put them on and have been extremely impressed. There is still a little bit of low speed bow wander but it is minimal and totally predictable. Docking and going thru the channel are a breeze BUT the most unexpected improvement has been in pulling the kids around on the tubes!! Pulling the tubes always required a lot of throttle play to avoid going too fast for the tube and then the struggle to get back on plane. With the tabs, I can set the RPM at 3000 and adjust the trim to vary the speed (trim all the way down =approx 19 MPH) trimming up a bit puts the boat at about 23 MPH. AND THE BOAT STAYS ON PLANE regardless of how sharp the turns are. My wife wouldn't even consider driving the boat to pull the tubes before. Now all she has to do is set the RPM trim up a little and for the next couple of hours just steer the boat. If, durin hard cornering, the speed drops she just steers straight for a couple of seconds and the boat speeds up cause it didn't come off plane.
I was originally concerned that these Smart Tabs were just a lot of hype but they do seem to work as advertised. If I buy another boat I will be buying another set of these tabs.
As for the price of these tabs they are a lot cheaper than buying a new boat which may or may not handle any better.
Smart Tabs saved me from buying another boat!

 

[mvn]

Re: Smart Tabs question??

Not to hijack your thread but I have just installed SX9510-60 tabs on my 2005 Rinker 192 after reading all of the testimonials here on this forum. I would like to plane at lower speeds for tubing with young children (less than 22 mph), reduce porpoising, reduce wake for skiing and improve overall stability in rough conditions.

The transom design limited my installation options and I hope they are far enough apart (about 36" center to center). I looked at getting the ST version and indexing the lower mounting bracket but that still wouldn't have worked. There is a HUGE overhang 3" up from the bottom of the boat that also is sharply angled for the integral swim platform. I chose to install the upper cylinder mount on the flat next to the intermediate drive. I realize that the lateral stability won't be greatest. Installation was quick and easy and I'll be trying them out this weekend.