Another smart tabs question

[ddaigle]

I e-mailed nauticus but havent heard back from them so I thought I would throw this question out here also. I boat in the southern laguna madre where the average water depth is about 1 foot. Thats right 1 foot. I have an older model bayhawk with only a very small tunnel and a 70 hp. evin. I have remote water pickup and a highly jacked up motor, but still struggle getting on plane in the shallow water. Would smart tabs operate this shallow because they seem like just the thing to give me the little extra lift I need. The only other option is to buy a newer model tunnel boat, but smart tabs seemed a whole lot cheaper. Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Another smart tabs question

are you sure you are not dragging bottom when trying to get out of the hole? i don't know of anything that will get on plane in 12 " of water. time for an air boat. saw a combo air/ outboard on ebay a year or 2 ago, use it for flounder gigging, in the flats.

 

[QC]

Re: Another smart tabs question

Well they extend about 4 inches below the hull, but the impact on draft will be determined by where they are mounted. They will definitely help you plane at a lower speed . . .

 

[ddaigle]

Re: Another smart tabs question

The bottom is fairly soft and yes we drag bottom and the prop digs in but if you have enough power and jackplate you can do it. My friends have tunnel boats with big motors and they can actually be sitting on the bottom in the mud and blast off in about 6 inches of water. It is a very specialized situation here. I dont have the tunnel or the power so unless I buy a new 30 grand tunnel boat I am trying for any help I can get. The laguna goes for about 60 miles at these depths so you have to be able to get up on plane or walk. I am good in about 14 inches of water but every inch counts down here especially when the tide goes out and you are 20 miles from the launch.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Another smart tabs question

sure sounds like impeller heaven.

 

[ddaigle]

Re: Another smart tabs question

Impellers dont last too long. If you dont know where you are going or what you are doing you can fry an impeller and motor in a matter of minutes. I passed a boat the other day and two people were standing next to it in about 2 inches of water looking at it. They were about 75 yards from any floatable water. Sea tow had to get them out with a winch. Many people have to spend the night in the bay until the tide comes back in. But the fishing is worth it.