Tahoe Q5 HELP!!

[jhp619]

I bought a 2008 Q5 about 4 weeks ago. It had some minor issues that all got fixed under warranty. I really enjoy the boat except for when there are bigger boats around. This boat can't seem to handle heavy to moderate chop or wakes from even slightly larger boats. It is frustrating. When I go out in the early morning with no other boats on the water and light chop I can easily hit 53 MPH, but when the traffic goes up then I need to slow way down to like 25MPH or I get tossed around alot. The boat also porpoises when there is heavy traffic.

Couple of questions.

Do you guys think that getting the Smart Tabs would help me during the heavier traffic times?

If I wanted to get a higher speed Prop, which one should I get (Hustler 21 or Hustler 23). This would be for cruising and maybe some tubing. I have the stock Prop now.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Hashi]

Re: Tahoe Q5 HELP!!

I have the same problem when there's a lot of traffic. I'm thinking of getting trim tabs but waiting for more input from other Tahoe owners. In the meantime, I plan to get some 50-100 lb. sand bags and throw them in each bow storage to see if that will help keep my bow down in chop.

 

[jhp619]

Re: Tahoe Q5 HELP!!

OK. I found out I have a quicksilver 23 pitch prop and was topping out at 53-54 MPH at about 4500 RPM.

I just ordered the Smart Tabs and a Hustler 21 pitch prop. Hopefully this will get me up another 300 rpm and I believe I should have a strong hole shot and higher top speed. This actually should make for better cruising also.

Anyone have any insight as to my thinking.

 

[Hashi]

Re: Tahoe Q5 HELP!!

By reducing your pitch 2", you should gain 400 rpm's (200 for each inch) but you will lose 3 - 5 mph off top end. However, you'll have faster hole shots and faster time to get on plane.

 

[jhp619]

Re: Tahoe Q5 HELP!!

OKAY.

So, I put the smart tabs on the boat last night. Took some fabricating and shimming, but they are rock solid. Let me tell you, the boat seems like it is on plane before you even start moving. Talk about a quick hole shot. That is not the only plus. The porpoising, gone. Chine walking, ,gone. This feels like a whole new boat. It is more stable and handles better. It cuts in the turns instead of sliding. The improvement in ride in moderate to heavy chop is 1000X better. I can now run all out with heavy traffic and chop without my kidneys bleeding. This boat is amazing now. I was going to trade it in on a Searay 205 sport thisweekend, but now I think I will keep it for a while.

The only down side is I lost about 3 MPH and I am on the lightest setting. I think maybe I need the 40# actuators. I got the 60 and they seem a little bit to stiff. I am not sure if I will change or not. I am afraid if I do go lighter that I will sacrifice some of the ride for speed. I might just reprop and call it good. 51 MPH is good enough and higher than tested by the boat sites, although I did see 54-55 MPH before smart tabs.

GREAT PRODUCT!!!!!!! THANX NAUTICUS!!!!!!!!

 

[geezlouise]

Re: Tahoe Q5 HELP!!

I have the Q6 Tahoe and just installed the stainless smart tabs. I too had trouble in choppy water...bouncing, rocking and porpoising. Now the boat planes out with very little bow rise. I can run 3/4 throttle in chop and enjoy it. The tabs keep the stern high and the bow low so the vee can cut through the ruff stuff. They work good after some final adjustments.