Would Smart Tabs help with the pounding?

[poconojoe]

Another thread sparked my interest in Smart Tabs.

I thought the pounding was normal when "hitting" wakes and just basically choppy water. But talk of Smart Tabs has sparked my interest.

I searched here and read some things, but have some questions.

2003 Bayliner 185 (18.5 ft) with sport seating (rear seating is a bench and there's a big sunpad covering the engine compartment), 4.3L Alpha 1 Gen 2, 3 blade 14" X 23 Pitch prop.

99.9% of the time it's just me and the wife. Two old farts just putting around the lake.
We only boat in fresh water.

I will try to describe the situation the best I can.
Let me know if this is normal or if I will be able to 'tame' the ride by adding Smart Tabs.

I'm very reluctant in drilling holes in my transom, so I only want to do that if the tabs can help.
It's not my mechanical ability, I'd just rather not drill holes in my boat.

So....
I get up on plane pretty easily with the bow pointing pretty high for about 5 seconds, then it planes out. I have to stand up to see over the bow. I'm probably only goosing the throttle about half.

The slowest speed that I can keep it on plane is about 23 MPH. (Not gps, the boat's speedometer)
To me, that's fine.

So, my complaints are when crossing a wake or hitting some chop, the boat comes down and slams, creating an unpleasant ride.
This happens with any speed over maybe 30 mph and these are not tremendous wakes or rolling swells.
We've had this boat for 8 years and I just thought the pounding was just part of boating, so I generally just slow down if the lake is a little choppy.

So, will Smart Tabs help smooth my ride or is it just the nature of the beast?

Thanks all!

 

[poconojoe]

Whoops!
Forgot to mention it's a bow rider.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I don't think SmartTabs will help with the slamming. They will help your bow drop more quickly and they will help you stay on plane at slower speeds, but I don't think the slamming would be affected. My boat does that, and I have SmartTabs. I think that's more a function of the hull design than anything else. Maybe adjusting your speed and angle of approach to the chop would help, but I'm sure you've experimented with that.

 

[dingbat]

Depends on what you call "slamming".

To me "slamming" happens when the boat has lost contact with the water and is "slamming" back down on the surface. Nothing you can do here but slow down.

Hitting waves is typically called "Pounding". This is caused by the "flat" surface(s) of the hull hitting the top of the waves. Typically associated a poor weight distribution (poor running angle) and or a "flat" hull designs that provide little if lift at speed.

Wouldn't trade may adjustable tabs for anything when things get sloppy. My hull was designed (continuously variable vee) for rough water use so the adjustable tabs allow a great deal of flexibility on how I use the hull to my advantage.

Normally, I run with the entire bow out of the water making contact with the boat boat making contact with the water right below my feet at the helm. In the rough, I can push the bow down and use the 45 degree deadrise at the bow to my advantage

Can't see how fixed tabs could help much given the dynamics of the situation

 

[poconojoe]

I don't think SmartTabs will help with the slamming. They will help your bow drop more quickly and they will help you stay on plane at slower speeds, but I don't think the slamming would be affected. My boat does that, and I have SmartTabs. I think that's more a function of the hull design than anything else. Maybe adjusting your speed and angle of approach to the chop would help, but I'm sure you've experimented with that.

Thanks for the reply.
I'm no speed demon and yes, I mostly just slow down and adjust my angle.

Every once in a while I like to open it up a bit.
I'll just keep those desires to super calm days.
I mostly just either idle around or get up on plane and cruise at the minimum speed to keep on plane.

From a previous conversation, I got the impression that Smart Tabs might help, but I guess not.
It's just the nature of the beast, I guess.

 

[poconojoe]

Depends on what you call "slamming".

To me "slamming" happens when the boat has lost contact with the water and is "slamming" back down on the surface. Nothing you can do here but slow down.

Hitting waves is typically called "Pounding". This is caused by the "flat" surface(s) of the hull hitting the top of the waves. Typically associated a poor weight distribution (poor running angle) and or a "flat" hull designs that provide little if lift at speed.

Wouldn't trade may adjustable tabs for anything when things get sloppy. My hull was designed (continuously variable vee) for rough water use so the adjustable tabs allow a great deal of flexibility on how I use the hull to my advantage.

Normally, I run with the entire bow out of the water making contact with the boat boat making contact with the water right below my feet at the helm. In the rough, I can push the bow down and use the 45 degree deadrise at the bow to my advantage

Can't see how fixed tabs could help much given the dynamics of the situation

Thanks for the info!
I thought there was a chance that Smart Tabs may help, but I guess not.
I guess it's just the nature of the beast.
Thanks again!

 

[dingbat]

Thanks for the info!
I thought there was a chance that Smart Tabs may help, but I guess not.
I guess it's just the nature of the beast.
Thanks again!

They can’t hurt, but the lack of adjustment brings minimal return

 

[Stinnett21]

I have smart tabs. It seems to me they did help a little with ride but don't expect miracles. An 18 foot boat is getting to be a small boat these days.

 

[robert graham]

A couple of 50 lb. sand bags up in the bow might help balance you out. Mine is an 1870 Jon boat with a C90 Yamaha and I have a wooden fishing/ casting deck up front that’s at least 150 lbs. and it helps with the ride….

 

[JimS123]

Tabs would not help you in any way. To minimize slamming (not eliminate it), always keep the drive trimmed all the way in.

To nearly eliminate the bow rise, install a Doel Fin on the outdrive. No holes to drill in the boat, but you may lose a bit of top speed. But, the fin will not affect slamming either.

 

[poconojoe]

Thanks all!
I thought I found a miracle fix, but I guess not!

I'll just keep doing what I've been doing, slow down when those conditions occur.

And yes, the drive is trimmed all the way in to keep the bow down as best as possible. I wish it would trim in more!
Thanks for that mention Jim.

Hey, maybe I could use some weight up front. This boat is definitely stern heavy with that 4.3L in there and open bow.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Trim in a bit

 

[Chris1956]

The only way to smooth the ride is to drop the bow, so the sharp edge will cut through the waves. Adjustable Trim tabs will help with this, but the overall effect is mostly based on the shape of the bow.

Smart tabs will likely not help very much, since you want the bow up or down based upon conditions, and they are not easily adjustable. For example, if you set them to push the bow down on rough days, you will plow water on nice days.

 

[poconojoe]

The only way to smooth the ride is to drop the bow, so the sharp edge will cut through the waves. Adjustable Trim tabs will help with this, but the overall effect is mostly based on the shape of the bow.

Smart tabs will likely not help very much, since you want the bow up or down based upon conditions, and they are not easily adjustable. For example, if you set them to push the bow down on rough days, you will plow water on nice days.

Ah! That makes perfect sense!
Thanks!

 

[dan02gt]

Smart Tabs will help with bow rise on hole shot and will also help with your ride in rough water by providing more stern lift to your already stern heavy boat. This will allow you to get the bow to cut through the water better. The downside is they are limited on the amount of stern lift they can provide due to the need for them to retract via the gas strut.
If you have the budget for it go with helm adjustable tabs like Bennett or Lenco. They will 100% do what you are asking. I have Bennett Bolts on my Chaparral and they help with everything from leveling the boat due to uneven loading to allowing me to plane out in the 15-16MPH range. In the chop I can use them to force the bow down harder to cut through the waves.

 

[poconojoe]

Smart Tabs will help with bow rise on hole shot and will also help with your ride in rough water by providing more stern lift to your already stern heavy boat. This will allow you to get the bow to cut through the water better. The downside is they are limited on the amount of stern lift they can provide due to the need for them to retract via the gas strut.
If you have the budget for it go with helm adjustable tabs like Bennett or Lenco. They will 100% do what you are asking. I have Bennett Bolts on my Chaparral and they help with everything from leveling the boat due to uneven loading to allowing me to plane out in the 15-16MPH range. In the chop I can use them to force the bow down harder to cut through the waves.

Thanks for the insight!
That's very helpful.

 

[JimS123]

Smart Tabs will help with bow rise on hole shot and will also help with your ride in rough water by providing more stern lift to your already stern heavy boat. This will allow you to get the bow to cut through the water better. The downside is they are limited on the amount of stern lift they can provide due to the need for them to retract via the gas strut.
If you have the budget for it go with helm adjustable tabs like Bennett or Lenco. They will 100% do what you are asking. I have Bennett Bolts on my Chaparral and they help with everything from leveling the boat due to uneven loading to allowing me to plane out in the 15-16MPH range. In the chop I can use them to force the bow down harder to cut through the waves.

No doubt a set of Bennetts is the cat's meow. My son has them as std. equipment on his $96,000 boat. Its all about how much you want to spend. Is a $500+ investment cost effective for a $2000 boat?

Over the last holiday we had relatives out on our boat on a busy day. The waves were heavy and the girls looked terrified and uncomfortable. To us it was just normal pounding on a Sunday and we weren't bothered at all.

We all have different comfort levels and expectations.

 

[poconojoe]

No doubt a set of Bennetts is the cat's meow. My son has them as std. equipment on his $96,000 boat. Its all about how much you want to spend. Is a $500+ investment cost effective for a $2000 boat?

Over the last holiday we had relatives out on our boat on a busy day. The waves were heavy and the girls looked terrified and uncomfortable. To us it was just normal pounding on a Sunday and we weren't bothered at all.

We all have different comfort levels and expectations.

Yeah, I looked up the Bennetts, they are really nice. But, as you implied, for my 18 year old boat, a bit pricey.

 

[dan02gt]

Yeah, I looked up the Bennetts, they are really nice. But, as you implied, for my 18 year old boat, a bit pricey.

Get the Bennett self leveling tabs. They run about the same price as Smart Tabs but can be upgraded to helm adjustable if desired.
You guys have a different perception of value than me. Regardless of what the boat is worth if you can make it ride better and more enjoyable for everyone onboard for $500 to me it’s worth it.
Unless your Bayliner is completely trashed it’s worth a lot more than $2000 in today’s market. That boat would bring $7-9k here.

 

[poconojoe]

Get the Bennett self leveling tabs. They run about the same price as Smart Tabs but can be upgraded to helm adjustable if desired.
You guys have a different perception of value than me. Regardless of what the boat is worth if you can make it ride better and more enjoyable for everyone onboard for $500 to me it’s worth it.
Unless your Bayliner is completely trashed it’s worth a lot more than $2000 in today’s market. That boat would bring $7-9k here.

You make sense.

And I didn't know that their self leveling ones could be upgraded to helm control. It gives you a chance to try the automatic ones and if you're not satisfied, just upgrade. Cool.

I see your point.
My 2003 Bayliner is in very nice condition. It may not be one of the top-of-the line brands, but it's been very good to me the last 8 years of ownership. It's worth more to me personally than the actual value.