Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

[redone4x4]

heres pics of my install today...went really quick. used the 4200 quick drying, had to drive 30 miles to get it lol. I had to move them inboard a little, but i think it will work okay. my question is on the last pic, I mounted the tabs in the "neutral" position with no load on the shock, and thats the position they are in. is that about how some of you guys had yours turn out, or is my angle too severe?

 

[smartwork]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

I installed mine last weekend and questioned my set not coming with a template (maybe the SX series doesn't). When the tabs hung naturally before attaching the top of the actuator, I measured the angle and it was close to the 25 degrees that is suggested on the instructions. So, if you allowed the tabs to hang naturally when you marked the location for the top actuator bracket, I'm guessing the tabs are at the correct angle.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

ya, the actuators were "free-hanging" when i mounted them, so it must have been right i guess. I didnt check the angle, just went by the instructions and they were mounted neutral with no pressure on them. I have until saturday before I put it in the water again.

 

[smartwork]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

Yeah, me too... probably not until Sunday (rain this week). Also in my kit, I had a different set of parts than listed in the instructions. I ended up changing all my bolts and the two snap/lock clips to stainless bolts with stainless/nylon lock nuts.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

Yeah, me too... probably not until Sunday (rain this week). Also in my kit, I had a different set of parts than listed in the instructions. I ended up changing all my bolts and the two snap/lock clips to stainless bolts with stainless/nylon lock nuts.

yep, i wasnt excited about the nylon hardware, and i only got 2 of the special pushpins instead of 6. Ill get thru this weekend, then call Nauticus and see what they recommend. I was thinking maybe they nylon bolts are supposed to give and break before anything on the transom does in the worst case, so i just used them.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

Looks good dude!! now you can give me pointers when I get mine

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

Looks good dude!! now you can give me pointers when I get mine

haha its a piece of cake man, after you get over the initial fear of drilling your boat. that took the longest for me, i think . seriously, took less than 2 hours total start to finish. choosing the right location had me thinking for a while also, but this way should work out fine.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

So whats with all the hardware problems everyone keeps talking about, should I not order the Blemished smart tabs??

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

So whats with all the hardware problems everyone keeps talking about, should I not order the Blemished smart tabs??

I dont know. Mine just came with different hardware than the instructions said, but it was all there. I had everything I needed to install, just had to figure out what went where was all. Im happy, I saw them priced $30 more than what i paid (from iboats) at the local west marine today

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

I thought that i read some where that the instructions you read (i think), they hardware has been updated since then. If they are the ones that came with them then, you got me!!!

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

So they updated the hardware and not the instructions??

 

[smartwork]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

The packaging and website both have slightly different parts listed (and used in the the instruction steps). Neither match what's actually included.

The instructions list 6 snap/lock pins. 4 for the hinge to tab joint and 2 for the actuators (one end of each actuator) with a bolt on the other end of the actuator. The web instructions showed a snap/lock pin on both ends of the actuator.

In reality, the packaging includes 2 snap/lock pins, so you can use 1 per actuator if you wish. The pins intended for the hinge/tab joint are not included, but rather replaced with 3/8 x 1.75" nylon bolts. The other two snap/lock pins (intended for the actuators per online demonstration) are replaced by 5/16 x 1" nylon bolts. No notes about any of the substitutions... you simply have to figure it out.

I replaced my bolts with stainless, but for the 1" ones on the actuators, I'm using 1.25" so the stainless/nylon lock nuts will go on far enough for the nylon to do its job.

redone - let us know if Nauticus says the nylon is supposed to be a sacrificial part. I thought I had read in other installs that people were told by Nauticus to simply upgrade to stainless. My stainless parts ended up being about $11 for bolts and lock nuts.

Oh... and my set was not a blemish set, so I'm guessing all the SX sets are like this.

 

[smartwork]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

Oh, a couple tips on the install:

1. When drilling the holes, I would position the hinge plate per the instructions, tape it to the transom, and use the hinge plate as a guide during drilling (the instructions show removing it). I think that'll provide holes that are more centered than attempting to mark them, removing the plate, and drilling the holes especially since you're needing 6 to all be centered.

2. Watch your top plates for your actuators. They are not symmetrical. They are different if you flip them upside down, so make sure you're positioning both plates the same way... and that you're installing them the same way you drilled for. I saw no mention of this anywhere in the instructions or online. You can somewhat see it in # 6 at http://www.nauticusinc.com/images/SX-INSTALL.gif

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

great work redone and btw slow down will ya

 

[BumbleBeeTuna]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

I installed mine Tuesday night. Have not been in the water to test them yet.

From my post in the sticky:

I installed the SXs last night. Moments before drilling into the transom I was sick to my stomach but once I got past the first few holes I was ok. I did notice quite a few errors in the instructions that came with the retractor plates though. In the end it was a very easy install and I will be able to test them in the water on Thursday.

I was missing the proper connections from actuator to retractor plate and Nauticus had them in the mail after 30 seconds on the phone; free of charge. Great customer service experience there as well.

 

[crb478]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

If you can push up on the tabs and they end up higher than the bottom of your boat you will be in good shape. If they are still below the bottom of your boat see if you can flip over the top mount to gain more height. If they will not at least get to level with the bottom of your boat you will always have some drag and loose some speed.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

If you can push up on the tabs and they end up higher than the bottom of your boat you will be in good shape. If they are still below the bottom of your boat see if you can flip over the top mount to gain more height. If they will not at least get to level with the bottom of your boat you will always have some drag and loose some speed.

I did push up on them after installing them, and they do move up quite a bit, looks like they will tuck even with the hull so i guess im in good shape then.

 

[22E6441]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

I'm really curious to see if you notice a big change in performance.

I'm also wondering if tabs would help my boat too....

 

[maddog2112]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

When I installed mine at the 25 degree position I never did try to push my plate up to see if it would level with the bottom of the boat. I did try to squeeze the actuator together by itself in my hands and was unable to do so. To tell you the truth, I was afraid if I pushed up on the plate that hard I might break something. How much pressure did it take to move the plate up to level with the bottom of the boat?

 

[Hitech]

Re: Pics of Smarttabs install and a question

If anything breaks when you push up on the plate by hand it's going to break in the water. Go ahead and push up on them, they won't break. I had the same fear, but figured I'd rather find out at home than on the water. Good news, they didn't break.

I believe the last number is the lbs of force (40, 60 or 80). But that is for the "shock", the force required on the plate will be less. How much less depends on which hole you have the "shock" mounted to on the plate.

And yes, they do everything they claim. I was very surprised when I first tried them out.