Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

[ctf58]

Smart Tabs really intrigue me. I ordered some for my last boat (16' Stratos bass boat) but they shape of the transom would not allow installation.
Now I have a 18'4" Basscat and wonder if smart tabs would be worth drilling holes in the boat. This boat flies (68 by speedo) and has more but it starts chine walking pretty good starting at 60 or so. Money is really really tight since I just bought the boat. It is going to come down to smart tabs or a boat cover. Right now I have a lightweight cover and a big tarp.
I want more holeshot and better ride
I'd like to here from some people that get up on the pad to get to the bass. Or any other people who have smart tabs!
Here is a sample picture of a BassCat up on the pad.
View attachment 106039

 

[ctf58]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

hello?? This thing turned on???:facepalm:

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess nobody here has done what you ask..... that said, nauticus is famous for great customer service... I'd suggest calling them on the phone and asking what they think.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

They make a particular smart tab for your application. There called mobster tabs. They were designed for high performance bass boats. Like smoke says, call them and see exactly what they recommend for your boat. Simply put, they work! There are plenty of threads here about smart tabs and plenty of people that have installed them, although, not many bass boats. Do a search and you will find the threads.

If you get them and install, please let us know how it turned out for you, because this question has arrised before. Good luck

 

[nlain]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

I have been a fan of Smart Tabs for quite a few years, they work as advertised. I have read several posts from bass boat people, they all like them, if you have the angled corners on the transom the Mobster Tabs are for you. Call Nauticus, tell them what you have and they will guide you to the right set of tabs. From what I have read from others they will stop the chine walk at high speeds. My boat would chine walk up near 50, tabs stopped chine walk on it, not a bass boat but just to say they work. There is some good information on the Nauticus website and when you decide which ones you want you can get them right here in the iboats store.

Link to website: http://www.nauticusinc.com/

Phone: 800-233-0194

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

I've never seen any trim tabs on a bass boat. There's really not much you can do to such a low profile hull to make it ride appreciably better.

I've got Bennett hydraulic trim tabs on my inboard outboard, and it was the best $400 I ever spent. But, it has a hull under it.

 

[ctf58]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

Happened to be at a West Marine store about a week ago and they had several Smart Tabs on the shelf. I asked the guys at the parts counter if they ever sold any for a bass boat and got 3 guys staring at me mouthing "no" and "Do not buy". One said they were worthless on anything larger than a rubber raft. They still intrigue me but for the money they want and having to drill into my hull I guess I will pass.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

I have Smart Tabs on my 20' bowrider and love them. They've made a huge improvement in holeshot and overall ride.

I can't comment on how they might work for a bass boat.

 

[nlain]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

Those guys that said no and do not buy, either installed them wrong or did not adjust them properly. I do not have them on a Bass boat but have read posts from many that do have them on Bass boats, not one of them was unhappy with them, they all liked them. Most said they do get on plane faster, they are much more stable at high speed. I would also say that they did not call Nauticus with their problems, if the had I think they would have been made happy, the folks at Nauticus want everyone to be happy and strive to make it that way.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

Happened to be at a West Marine store about a week ago and they had several Smart Tabs on the shelf. I asked the guys at the parts counter if they ever sold any for a bass boat and got 3 guys staring at me mouthing "no" and "Do not buy". One said they were worthless on anything larger than a rubber raft. They still intrigue me but for the money they want and having to drill into my hull I guess I will pass.

No offense, but You obviously haven't listened to a word that anyone of us said above. Call nauticus and ask them directly. You can go right to there site and see they have not one, but two different style "Mobster tabs" for high performance bass boats, wedge shaped and straight. The Mobster tabs are larger for more planing surface for faster bass boats. Calling them will give you the answer on wether you should install on your particular bass boat. The guys at West Marine obviously know what there talking about, NOT!!! I have had smart tabs on my 8000 pound (fully loaded) boat for about 3 years now and wouldn't trade them for any other tab on the market. I also never shop at West Marine though.

Drilling into your hull is a non issue if you seal them up like your suppose to with 5200. Transducers, speedos, motors, etc etc get drilled through the transom, so whats the issue with drilling into the transom. For one, the screws used are small. Also, no matter what type of tab you buy, you will be drilling into the transom. Atleast with smart tabs your not drilling all the way through. lol

 

[NYBo]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

Old thread.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

Old thread.

Yup, but it was the original poster that came back to the thread and opened it.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

Yup, but it was the original poster that came back to the thread and opened it.

Well, so he did! Twice!!.:redface:

 

[doublesharp]

Re: Anyone got Smart Tabs on a bass boat??

I put them on this boat and it really helped the ride. Before I installed smart tabs, if I was running a good cruising speed, say 3/4 throttle, and had to back off quickly, I'd get a lot of hop/bounce in the front end. The smart tabs stopped the porpoising and I can plane at lower rpms. They tamed the ride, solved my problem and are worth the money imho. Chine walking was never a problem but I usually cruised in the sweet spot and didn't try and wring out every last rpm.