My new SX Smart Tab coupling

[Bayliner175xt]

Hi people, just a quick msg to show my new 316 SS couplings and pins on my SX Smart tabs fitted to 2003 Bayliner 175 XT,
Everything went together well and the don't bind when being lifted above the hull line. haven't had a chance to try them yet but next weekend freezing cold (Australian winter) or not I'll be testing them.
They took about 1 hr each on a CNC machining centre to make

Just made a great product better.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: My new SX Smart Tab coupling

Nice work! Looks really good.
Maybe the makers of Smart Tabs would be interested in that idea..

 

[SeanMcl]

Re: My new SX Smart Tab coupling

Remind me again why you needed these. I must have missed the first thread.

 

[Enigma]

Re: My new SX Smart Tab coupling

From my recent experience the weak point on the sx tabs are the hinge pins on the bottom plate, mine came out on the starboard tab and the water pressure has pulled the tab off leaving me with actuator minus the coupling ie, the bit you have machined. It appears that over time the pins become slightly loose I saved my port tab by getting in the water and pushing one of the pins back in by hand, bear in mind they had to be hammered home when fitted...
A solution might be to drill the pin and put a small clip through it so it can not come out.
I am not having a go at smart tabs as they have had a huge positive impact on my boat living up to the hype but I think some minor design changes would be beneficial.
I can only hope that smart tabs customer service lives up to their reputation for us overseas customers... I will contact them this week.

 

[Bayliner175xt]

Re: My new SX Smart Tab coupling

Remind me again why you needed these. I must have missed the first thread.

I have read a number of people on iboats having trouble with the plastic threaded couplings.
I took one look and saw the problem, Plastic is not worth anything in regards
to tensile strength.
The problem was the compression/rebound action on the plastic threaded couplings.

As a Fitter and Turner (By trade) I thought fix it now before i have any problems.

It cost me nothing but a little time.
I have actually drawn a full 3D solid model to make them out of 6061 alloy with a few modifications for an experiment.

For such a good product why didn't they make and alternate set from another material (6061).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6061_aluminium_alloy

I'm not knocking a great product, I just made it a little better.

 

[marlinpruett]

Re: My new SX Smart Tab coupling

my solution to this problem. Not as neat as yours but effective. 5/16 pin from Lowes, short piece of braid fishing line.