Hello, Im looking to install smart tabs on my Stingray, but the guides stick out behind the the boat a few inches right where I am planning on installing the tabs. Thanks
It may change the tongue weight a little, and how your tie down straps fit. But sire, you can slide the boat back to the end of the trailer bunks. The actual transom is where the speedo and I/O keyhole are, so you'll still fully supporting it.
It appears that the boat would be moved back about 8-9". Weigh the tongue before moving anything and after moving the boat back, weigh the tongue again - The tongue will lighten. Move the axle back one hole, then weight the tongue again. Try to get the tongue weight close to what it was before moving and it may mean moving the axle back another hole. It takes trial and error to make it right again.
It appears that the boat would be moved back about 8-9". Weigh the tongue before moving anything and after moving the boat back, weigh the tongue again - The tongue will lighten. Move the axle back one hole, then weight the tongue again. Try to get the tongue weight close to what it was before moving and it may mean moving the axle back another hole. It takes trial and error to make it right again.
I think it tows pretty nice now. I believe the boat is 2600lbs, which means I should be in the 260lb neighborhood on the tongue. When I try to lift up on it, I cannot even budge it, and Im somewhat a stout man. The picture is alittle deceiving, I only need to move it back maybe 5-6 inches max.
Properly installed tabs shouldn't interfere with the bunks. If any part of the tabs hang below the hull while in the neutral position they will create turbulence in the water, reducing effectiveness.
Smart tabs as the OP is going add, do hang down out of the water and water pressure forces them up against the "shock absorber". With the bunk and tab relationship on his boat, the tab cylinder will be under constant pressure if the bunk or boat position on the trailer isn't changed. Maybe Tabman will weigh in?
I would not think that you'd want SmartTabs whacking against the bunks everytime you trailer your boat. I'd be more worried about what that might do the hinge on the tabs that is screwed into the transom than the gas strut that extends the tab.
It looks like that bunk bracket is just bolted to the trailer. Can you just unbolt it an install it on the other side of that support? That would allow you to trim that bunk a bit and you wouldn't have to move the bow roller, etc.
Smart tabs as the OP is going add, do hang down out of the water and water pressure forces them up against the "shock absorber". With the bunk and tab relationship on his boat, the tab cylinder will be under constant pressure if the bunk or boat position on the trailer isn't changed. Maybe Tabman will weigh in?
It looks like that bunk bracket is just bolted to the trailer. Can you just unbolt it an install it on the other side of that support? That would allow you to trim that bunk a bit and you wouldn't have to move the bow roller, etc.
I finally got around the weighing the tongue, 345lbs. The boat is 2600lbs, but Im not sure how much the trailer weighs??? I measured how far back to move as well, 4.5". Length from hub to hitch is 206".
