Installing Smart Tabs Tonight

[Q7idrvr]

Starting my Smart Tab SX installation. I had a concern about the 2010 Q7i because the transom is curved if installed "wide". Just did a test mount by assembling the lower mourning bracket and tab. The mounting bracket has a slight bend when pivot action tested 5" in from outside edge of transom as suggested, and there is an ever so slight difference in pivot action (stiffer) than if mounted 9" in from outside edge of transom. When mounted 9" in from outside edge of transom, there is no notable difference than when tested on a completely flat surface. So I will be mounting mine 9" in from outside edge of transom. Will take pics and post when done.

 

[choppywaters]

Re: Installing Smart Tabs Tonight

Just got mine vis ups tonight. Tomorrow will be installation night. Cant wait to see the improvements!

 

[Q7idrvr]

Re: Installing Smart Tabs Tonight

I started my installation last night. A slight bow does not interfere with the pivot action. However, I only installed the lower mounting bracket and tab on the port side. I did not install the top actuator bracket because I had some confusion. The instruction say that with the bottom bracket installed, after at attaching the tab, the tab should hang naturally at 25 degrees. Because the 2010 Q7i transom is angled, mine was hanging at about 43 degrees.... I think. And this is my problem. I need to call Nauticus and varify if it's acceptable to measure the angle form the boat bottom because I'm not sure if the boat bottom is a true horizontal...

 

[Husker-Q]

Re: Installing Smart Tabs Tonight

In the middle of my SX - 60 installation on Sea Ray 182 (with swim deck).

I installed the lower bracket on port side, then called Nauticus, because it appeared the lower mounting bracket was already rubbing against the tab and would bind if pushed upwards. I emailed some pics and they said I needed a different connector where the shock connects to the tab and are sending me some.

I will try to post a installation pictoral if I can figure out how to do that.

 

[Q7idrvr]

Re: Installing Smart Tabs Tonight

I have heard of that problem... But that is not what an issue for me. It's the natural hang angle after bolt the tab to mounting bracket. Need to clear up if the 25 degree angle is measure from bottom of boat.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Installing Smart Tabs Tonight

You should measure from the bottom plane of the boat.

 

[Q7idrvr]

Re: Installing Smart Tabs Tonight

You should measure from the bottom plane of the boat.

Thank you racr!!!

 

[JimMH]

Re: Installing Smart Tabs Tonight

Mounted the SX 90 on my Larson last year. Made a huge difference in plane time and ride on the top end. Boat will still run around 60 mph and now pulls me up on a one ski fine. You will like what they do.

 

[Q7idrvr]

Re: Installing Smart Tabs Tonight

Sorry for the delay on this. Test went great!!!! Tabs stopped all negative characteristics. Rough water ride is smoother and that was my biggest problemt. However, because of the angle on my transom, my tabs are not parallel to the water flow. Because of this, I am leaving a rooster tail while on plane and top speed is lower (which isn't really a problem cause I rarely go faster than 40. Another result of the tab angle is during sharp turns on plane, the prop is "blowing out" at times. It wasn't doing that at the same speed before tabs. Nauticus believes the 60 lb tabs are not retracting completely due to the tab angle pointing out. Talked to Greg about this and he volunteered to send out 40lb actuators to try. What an awesome company!!!!

 

[Q7idrvr]

Re: Installing Smart Tabs Tonight

Will post pics tomorrow.