Another Smart Tabs thread

[athiker]

At the risk of making this forum Smart Tabs central, it seems like the place to get some feedback.

I have a 2000 Cobalt 206 (21') w/ a 5.7L EFI 260 hp turning either a 3 blade 21p Merc Alum Black Max or a 4 blade 20p synthetic Piranha mounted on an Merc Alpha 1 Gen II sterndrive. I've seen the weight listed at 3,100 lbs but that sounds light to me. I've never had a hole shot issue with either prop, the SE 300 Hydro foil actually helped with porpoising and idle speed bow wander, but what I'm really after is holding plane at a lower speed. I can barely hang on just a touch under 20 mph. I have small kids that like to tube/ski but at low speeds. I'd also like to putter along sightseeing on plane at slower speeds. I really need to be doing about 25 mph to cruise nicely...30 feels closer to ideal. I top out w/ either prop just shy of 50 mph GPS and 4600-4700 rpm area. I spend almost no time anywhere near WOT.

So I'm looking for feedback from anyone with Smart Tabs and a similar if not the same boat. I'm also wondering what the right model is for me as my hp is a little over the specs of some.

Finally, as you can see from the pics, I believe due to my transom shape I won't be able to mount the tabs wide as is generally suggested. How will mounting them closer to the outdrive affect the expected benefits?

Thanks in advance...quite an active site here.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Another Smart Tabs thread

I've seen tabs mounted on similar boats. I would certainly go that route over the whale-tail, you need to get that off as soon as the tabs go on.

I'm sure John will chime in here for sure to give you some mounting advice, but I see no problem mounting them as far as you can get them from the outdrive.

They will certainly help with the planing speed, and will correct the porpoising and wander better than the hydrofoil you have on there now.

Go for it!​

 

[athiker]

Re: Another Smart Tabs thread

Thanks for the quick feedback. Do you think I would need to fill the 4 drill holes from the hydrofoil or just leave them? If so, any recommendations? Any point in dabbing paint on the exposed alum if I leave them? My skeg is a bit bare anyway...boat does not sit in the water when not in use.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Another Smart Tabs thread

Some folks fill the holes with 5200.​

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Another Smart Tabs thread

Some folks fill the holes with 5200.​

...and some with JB Weld.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Another Smart Tabs thread

Jb is the way to go. Put masking tape underneath the plate and fill the holes with JB,it will settle some so add a little more.Sand it down a little and paint. No one will ever know.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Another Smart Tabs thread

At the risk of hijacking the thread, I wanted to ask a similar question about my boat. I am convinced I need to take that fin off of my boat and I like the idea of the Smart Tabs. My question is around the swim ladder. I've attempted to put a picture up, if it doesn't work I'll try again, but from what I understand is you want to try and get the tabs out as far as possible. I think my ladder will get in the way, or someone would cut themselves on them. Thoughts?
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=1AatWLlk3YsXUA

 

[athiker]

Re: Another Smart Tabs thread

dvan...I can't get your picture to work using the address in your post.

Try bringing the pic up in Shutterfly, then right click somewhere on the image, left click on properties and 'copy' the url code. Now when you come back here click on the "insert image" icon just above where you type the text of a post. It looks like a mountain w/ a sun above it. Now 'paste' the url you copied into the pop up box. It will probably dupe the "http://" part of the url so just delete one if it appears twice. I just tried it w/ my Shutterfly account and it worked fine in the preview. Sometimes if a folder is password protected that can cause problems though.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Another Smart Tabs thread

I would highly recommend removing the hydrofoil from your boat. I would also say that if you got a swim-platform with the ladder, that would make boarding from the water easier as well as the mounting of the smart tabs.​

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Another Smart Tabs thread

Studly, I think that is my "issue" if you will. My swim platform is pretty short and because of where my current ladder is mounted that I would need to put on an extended platform in order for it to work. Thanks for fixing the picture too!