Re: Smart tabs...
LubeDude - Sorry to break your streak, but my Smart Tabs are coming off soon....<br /><br />Yes, they really help in terms of planing speed, bow-rise and holeshot. And, yes, they really smoothen out the ride.<br /><br />However, there's no possibility of sideways adjustment. I'm tired of riding lopsided, whether that be due to uneven loads, winds or currents or waves from the side, propeller torque, or whatever.<br /><br />And, no, the trick of setting the two tabs at unequal settings didn't really work for me as it introduced some other handling issues (i.e. unexpected sharp turns at some intermediate speeds where one tab would come down and the other remain up, and vice versa).<br /><br />So, mine are coming off and will be replaced by some ordinary tabs and an automatic trim system by Mente Marine
(link) . <br /><br />This will be equally simple to operate, sure to work in all load & ride situations, but a lot more expensive than the Smart Tabs.<br /><br />I've concluded (exactly as Nauticus also says) that the Smart Tabs are great for some applications but not for all. Bigger boats or lopsided rides do need helm-adjustable tabs.<br /><br />When I think about it, it would actually be ideal to have a combination of both types of tabs; i.e. tabs that were helm-adjustable but still flexed some by themselves. Hey, I should patent that!
