Smart Tabs vs. Whale Tail- My Experience

[roscoe]

The tabs on my boat are just stickers on the side of the bow.
And the fins are in the cooler on ice.

I don't see how either of these will effect the performance of the boat.
Well, unless I have a lot of fins in the boat.

 

[ondarvr]

The tabs on my boat are just stickers on the side of the bow.
And the fins are in the cooler on ice.

I don't see how either of these will effect the performance of the boat.
Well, unless I have a lot of fins in the boat.

Without the tabs on the bow it can't leave the trailer, so performance suffers.

The more fins in the cooler, the better the overall enjoyment of the experience.

So I think they are very important.

 

[roscoe]

Without the tabs on the bow it can't leave the trailer, so performance suffers.

The more fins in the cooler, the better the overall enjoyment of the experience.

So I think they are very important.

OK, but it looks like you are saying that I need tabs, before I can get fins.

 

[ondarvr]

Most people don't think fins can be on a boat with tabs, but to me tabs are almost required before getting fins, the two go together very well. Fins can slow a boat down though, size shape and number can hurt performance. Worst case you may not be able to get on plane.

 

[JoLin]

Was away from the 'puter for a few days, and surprised at the responses to my thread. I seem to have a (unintended) knack lately for sparking controversy

I never meant my post to be a blanket criticism of fins. I was merely relating MY experience on MY particular boat. Since this is my second time around with Smart Tabs I wanted people t know that I've had generally good experiences with them. As for what's 'best', I'll chose the helm-adjustable tabs I've had on my bigger boats, hands down.

Smart Tabs do often need to be 'dialed in' to perform properly. After a few runs on the Sylvan, I've concluded that at the default setting they're exerting too much downforce on my boat. I'll need to adjust them. Simple enough to do with a light tinny, cheap gas and a boat that doesn't use much of it, but that was actually one of my complaints about them when I was trying to optimize the install on my 175 hp, 21' Pro-Line. That boat was heavy, gas was over $3.00 and it took me 4 or 5 adjustments to get them right. I had to keep hauling the boat out of the water (a real chore), fool with the tabs, relaunch and try again. By the time I had them right, I could almost have justified a set of Bennetts for what I spent in Smart Tabs, fuel and effort.

My .02

 

[Stumpalump]

The fin on the cavitation plate is better than tabs on a small boat because not only does it control the bow rise but it slows the bow down when it's dropping. Pop over a wake and the bow does not slam down as hard. It feels like suspension. That's the best reason to add one but keeping the bow down at lower speeds is really nice when a freind or the admiral is driving. They can see better. Aftermarket fins are not real good because they are plastic. When made of plastic they have to be thick. Thick adds drag and those funky shapes cause them to catch or grab in turns. That's one reason why I/O guys don't always like them. The tuning trick is that you do not need anymore fin size than your application needs. A perfect boat needs none and a bow high or underpowered one needs a large one. I've never had a boat that needed that whole huge fin so I cut the sides down an inch at a time to get it right. After years of fooling with them there is only one that works like you want it and does not reduce speed or grab in turns. That is a flat plate of Aluminum. Hmmmmm. That's the same shape and material that the factory uses only you make it a little bigger to suit your taste. Here is the one I made for my current boat and the amount I trimmed or tuned it last week. It's the third version and it does exactly what I need to do now. No more, no less. Keep it on the small side. Do not be afraid to trim the plasic ones the same way. On a bigger boat or if you just want tabs then they are great but why would you drill your hull and install a $99 plastic gizmo that will only last a few seasons when for under $400 you can buy real hydrolic Bennet trim tabs. Plastic screwed into your boat are holes needing to be fixed by the next potential buyer. Bennet tabs increased the value of it plus you will love them as much as I love a simple plate on a small boat.

 

[Watermann]

I used Smart Tabs several years ago, on a 21' Pro-line I owned. I liked them. Right now I have a 16' Sylvan aluminum Fish 'n Ski. I took out the rear fishing platform and fitted a bench seat in its place, so the boat is tail heavy with 3 people seated across the back. The boat came with a whale tail when I bought it and I used it for a season. It worked but it took awhile to plane out, and I was never comfortable with the boat's handling at 25+ mph. It felt kinda 'twitchy' at speed.

I bought a pair of the composite Smart Tabs (blems) that iboats was selling for $100. a few months ago, and mounted them up before the boat went in the water. They worked great with 2 people aboard (seated forward) but I've been waiting for a 'stress test'. Day before yesterday I had a full load of 5 adult passengers and 3/4 tank of fuel. Night and day difference. The boat jumped right on plane and felt rock steady at speed. My buddy, who had been aboard the last time I ran the whale tail with that many passengers, just looked at me and said 'wow'.

My .02

No before and after story for me but the Nauticus tabs I put on my stern heavy Chief work flawlessly despite being the blemish model. :lol:

All the guys over in the SC forum that have used these tabs had similar rave reviews. I had one of those fin things and sent it to another forum member who wanted to try it out but I haven't heard back if it worked for him. I normally only see those fins on heavy under powered boats.

 

[shrew]

I love the 'I'm right, and my rants are going to get bigger until everyone agrees with me" posts.


-Everyone is entitled to an opinion.

 

[roffey]

it is fun reading some of the rants and how upset some get when they run into a difference of opinion.

 

[Fun Times]

I just knew I shouldn't of opened this oil thread tonight.:facepalm:. Sorry JoLin, but I'm thinking we're all done for now.