For the smart tab guys

[Great Dane]

In my indecision and reluctance to drill into my '66 transom.....ive decided to come to you guys........i ve pics and would like help with where to mount........an email address would be great so you can see these pics and help me out?

 

[QC]

Re: For the smart tab guys

Send me the pics and I'll post them for you:

 

[Great Dane]

Re: For the smart tab guys

Hey QC.......Ill send the pics first thing in the mornin........i gotta get a new camera cord

 

[QC]

Re: For the smart tab guys

OK one time deal, QC picture service . . .

Here's your pics:

I have no experience with a flat bottom like yours, but I would suggest that they be mounted as far out from the center-line as possible, probably right where your trailer bunks are. You should maybe go to their site and I believe they will give the same advice. Also, the template that comes with the kit gives the height recommendations. Looks reasonably straight forward to me. Good luck!!

Edit: What are those three screws just inside the starboard bunk? Those could be an issue . . .

 

[Great Dane]

Re: For the smart tab guys

Hey QC, Thanks for the help with the pics

 

[Great Dane]

Re: For the smart tab guys

Not sure about those screws, maybe an old transducer

 

[QC]

Re: For the smart tab guys

Nothing on the other side of those screws? If not maybe you can flush plug them and then there would be no issue with the tab mounting plate covering up one or two. Is your transom reasonably solid?

 

[Great Dane]

Re: For the smart tab guys

Transom is in GREAT condition, especially for a 1966.
flush plug?

 

[QC]

Re: For the smart tab guys

flush plug?

Yeah, a simple way is to use a countersunk hole and a stainless flat head screw of the same size as the screws now. Use a sealer to make them water tight and then you can mount over it. You could also do some actual gelcoat type plug, but that is probably overkill.

Looking at the full size picture, you may not have to do anything. Have you made a template from the supplied template template (cut out from install booklet, I was trying to use template three times in a sentence. Actually, I guess that was four times). Anyway, you should hold that up there and see if the mounting plate would interfere with those screws before you do anything. I have drilled three transoms for tabs, one twice :% You definitely don't want to be careless, but the biggest thing is to get over it and go for it. I've even cut-out a transom of a brand new hull for the first drive install. Yes, scary, but when you watch a professional rigger, they just mark it, check it twice and ram her home . . . Do you have a neighbor or friend that can verify your location as a back-up set of eyes?

 

[Great Dane]

Re: For the smart tab guys

I have cut the template.......i wasnt so much worried about the right side as i was the left ........i dont want to have to move my transducer, but i guess i may have to...my problem is fear of making a mistake

 

[QC]

Re: For the smart tab guys

I don't think you need to move the transducer. Any further outboard and the tab will stick out over the hull radius, right where the transducer is now. The only possible problem might be turbulence off of the tab messing up the speedo, but the transducer should see clean water IMHO as the tab won't mess it up until just aft of the transducer. I could easily be wrong, but it sure looks like you could place the tab right next to it . . .

 

[Great Dane]

Re: For the smart tab guys

how much clearance is needed from the motor to the tab, enuff that they dont touch, or are there other variables. I would really like to put it on the inside of the transducer......toward the motor

 

[QC]

Re: For the smart tab guys

Yes, inside, but as far out as possible, but inside the transducer. Hopefully NautiJohn will chime in as, again, I have no experience with a flat bottom.

 

[Great Dane]

Re: For the smart tab guys

Bump.....dont want this to get lost in the weekend shuffle

 

[QC]

Re: For the smart tab guys

BTW, if I wasn't clear, you shouldn't be thinking about how close to the motor. Your thoughts should be how FAR you can get it away from the motor. Not because the motor and the tabs don't like each other, but they are better at what they do when placed further out than in . . .

If you look at your transom, the transducer on the port side is just where the hull starts to curve upward. You wouldn't want the tabs to be mounted so that they stick out past that point anyway, was my point. I Just looked at the site and there is one flat bottom install, but it is an inflatable. Still looks like as far outboard as possible without hitting anything to me.

Install pics

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: For the smart tab guys

I answered this in an e-mail today, (out of the office on Friday) and suggested that you should move the port transducer and start their with the install. Since the bottom is rounded on the out sides and flat in the center it would be best to angle the plates a bit upward on the outboard side to create some additional port starboard stability.