Bill, no attack meant, don't belive I said anything to that effect...<br />Seems to be any one person can post his thoughts and experiences, but only a few of ya get to tell us how much we don't know.<br />Smart Tabs DO NOT affect the performance of my boat in 6-8ft swells with proper operator function, don't care what anyone else says..I've seen it, done it, day-in, day-out. I'm on the water over 300 days a year, and been doin' this game for 32 years. <br />If ya don't use them consistantly, don't open the trap and tell people "They just can't work", and there won't be any problems-they work! live with it.
Thanks for the suggestion on what to post but I'll just post my opinions whether they agree with you or not. <br />Originally posted by continental kenny:<br />Bill, no attack meant, don't belive I said anything to that effect...<br />Seems to be any one person can post his thoughts and experiences, but only a few of ya get to tell us how much we don't know.<br />Smart Tabs DO NOT affect the performance of my boat in 6-8ft swells with proper operator function, don't care what anyone else says..I've seen it, done it, day-in, day-out. I'm on the water over 300 days a year, and been doin' this game for 32 years. <br />If ya don't use them consistantly, don't open the trap and tell people "They just can't work", and there won't be any problems-they work! live with it.
<br />Re-read my post and no where do I imply or say smarttabs don't work. It is about understanding the limitations of tab systems. Try this again...if the tabs are deployed they will not (normally)let the motor trim the bow as high. Advice to the contrary could be dangerous to those who don't know better. In some situations(noted earlier as following seas), "autotabs" aren't the best choice...unless you want to hang over the side and adjust them to stay retracted in conditions that could be tedious. <br /> <br />You are pulling the experience card?...6'-8' swells in Kansas with your tabs? Maybe you can clarify that experience. Not long ago you were posting as an airplane mechanic with xx yrs experience and now posting as an outboard mechanic with "over 300 days a year on the water" for 32 yrs. How much of that 32 yrs is operating tabs? With that said..In the last 48 yrs of operating boats I have several 1000 hrs running boats with various tab systems in inlets and offshore. Total time operating boats WAY exceeds 500 hrs per yr x 48 yrs.<br /> <br />Like I said earlier, there are limitations to each tab system. Not one system does it all. It's best to learn the pros and cons of each. That's the bottom line. <br /> We don't know that you are the one to "know better", but, the Answer here is to educate.<br />Also, as to what I "claim" to do....I own 1 aircraft maintenance facility in western Ks, manage another about 140 miles east, and you have NO idea what western kansas winds of 40-50MPH out here on the flat-land can do.....Big Mac, near Ogalalla, Ne. had the road on top of the Dam removed by waves with the lake level 75ft below the top of this Dam.<br />I work at a marina on Texoma as a consultant NOW, and I guide on 4 different lakes, so maybe only 290 days a year, if that will end the pi$$ing contest you have always been known to start. <br />I did not suggest what you should post, but it's not your job to tell someone "it won't work" when you have little experience with the product.<br />No experience cards pulled by me...only you, and I doubt that experience level based on previous postings of arguments by you insted of knowledge based comments that would reflect your actual use of a product. Biased is one thing, BillP is another.
<br />Chill out dude. <br /><br />Let me say this about that or that about this...there wasn't a 75' wave caused by 75mph or 150mph winds at your local dam, period. If you study wind, sea and fetch it is near impossible to have 20' waves anywhere inland USA except (big exception) the Great Lakes...and that is just before hexx freezes over and all the stars are in alignment with Disney World. There isn't a lake in Kansas that gets 8' swells that weren't man made, period. Do the math...it isn't opinion. I'm NOT talking rapids down a river or earthquakes so don't go there. But 50'waves were recorded on offshore Florida buoys in the Gulf and Atlantic during the last hurricanes. 10'-15' waves are recorded many times a year during cold fronts. We get 6'-8' breakers (not swells) dozens of times a year at our local inlet. 6' swells offshore are an everyday happening here in the winter with 2-4 in summer. That's the stuff I'm talking about with tab use and safety. OOPs, did I forget to mention this is what you learn about when the USCG tests you for merchant mariner ratings and I have three ratings? Ask for a copy of my Z card and certs if you are in doubt. <br /><br />On to your other historical data... <br />I can relate to the financials of aircraft business and understand why you have so many occupations...but aircraft biz doesn't exactly make one an expert on boat tab use...therefore, I have not posted non related info about me being a pilot and owning/rebuilding exp aircraft, or being a business owner, yada,yada,yada. As for your previouly posted doubts about my credentials...there is no bs here cuz, look up N276SP and find my name in the registered owner's history. Then find my pilot endorsement and 3rd class medical currency. Then search fl corps BESCO of Brevard Inc. and Pritchett & Dunn (aka Churchstreet Center)Inc. Wowee, Zowee, BFD! It ain't got one thing to do with knowing about tabs though. <br /><br />Now, with your extensive product knowledge and vast experience, educate (your word) us on how auto tabs work in big seas when you want the bow to stay high as possible with motor trim. Describe how those tabs let you trim the bow up highest while they are deployed from a standing start and up to around 15 mph...which I described earlier as normal operation in poor conditions at the local inlet. <br /><br />My research on your "autotabs" says you have to lean over the transom and re-adjust the tabs for slow speeds (when previously adjusted for high speed operation)if you want them to stay retracted. You are telling me I am wrong because I don't own and use that specific product...so what am I missing? Like I posted on my first simple note "get it all on the table". For now, I bow to your claimed superior intellect on this subject. <br /> Geez, more off topic airplane stuff and direct insults while giving political sidestep answers to questions. Maybe a run though our local inlet when you are down for SunNFun would help you understand another point of view concerning tab operation. You won't likely get that experience inland and I suppose that's the reason you object so strongly to opinions that differ from yours. It really is different in waters outside of Kansas. Regardless, your continued posting of airplane and personal attack stuff is off topic so why not provide constructive pro/con info about tab and fin operation instead?<br /><br />Keep an open mind that what you call "arguments" are detailed information sharing discussions to others. Maybe they are too detailed or trivial for your participation and maybe you don't agree with them...but you are free to stay out of the discussion and not be bothered. <br /><br />Boatster gave specific details/opinions about his tab use, I gave specific details/opinions about my tab and fin use. Both agree about broaching issues with tabs and the possible need to release autotabs if going in bad following seas. It's something a few prospective tab/fin buyers may want to be aware of...it's not product bashing (unless someone has a severe inferiority complex) or the "word" according to anybody. It's an opinion based on tab use, not fictional hype as you seem to understand it.<br /><br />To further continue data on fins and tabs:<br /><br />I can trim my 17'ob bow higher at displacement speeds with a Doelfin than without it. That would be higher than when trimmed with any type tab system in a fully retracted position.<br /><br />The fun part...I spent several hrs last Friday running a 10hr new 2550 Bluewater CC twin ob with cockpit adjustable tabs. The difference in bow height using max motor and tab trim was approx 2'. Fuel burn showed a big difference of 1.2 to 2.3mpg when tweaking tabs and motor at the same rpm...which was approx 3900 rpm. Motors are twin 150 x4 stroke counter rotating Yamahas.
Let's stay away from the personal attacks now, and talk business. Maybe we could even help someone here.
