smart tab comments for John

[ddaigle]

Hey John, have had my smart tabs about 6 months now, and they have exceeded all my expectations. My boat takes off like a rocket, no bow rise whatever and handles great. Due to space considerations I had to mount them closer to the motor than you recommend, but this has had an unexpected benefit. At speed the smart tabs put up a 6inch wall of water right at my prop. This, coupled with my CMC trim and tilt has allowed me to raise my motor and trim my prop higher than the bottom of my boat and not lose bite. Are you aware of this benefit? For shallow water it is phenomenal, I ran across a 2 inch deep flat the other day by accident, I hit the trim till I had a huge rooster tail and never slowed down. Just thought you and others might be interested in this unexpected benefit.

 

[steelespike]

Re: smart tab comments for John

Very interesting How is the speed compared to before tabs?
Refresh my memory;what is your rig?
Have you increased and decreased tension to see results?
Just how close to the prop are the tabs?

 

[ddaigle]

Re: smart tab comments for John

Speed is better because I have raised the motor so much. Boat is a 1989 17ft bayhawk with 70hp evin. Tab edges are about 16inches from motor and are mounted flat as my boat is basicly flat in the back. If I had known of this effect I would have put them even closer and gotten an even better effect.

 

[Hashi]

Re: smart tab comments for John

How's it on turns, though? Seems to me you would be losing some control by putting them closer towards the center.

 

[ddaigle]

Re: smart tab comments for John

I use this boat for evrything from pulling tubes and skis to trolling offshore in the gulf of mexico to fishing the shallow flats of the laguna madre. When I go offshore I loosen the tabs up when I pull things or fish shallow I stiffen them up. Turns have never been a problem with or with out tabs. I just got back from fishing in about a foot of water and I wish I had put them closer to the motor as I am missing a lot of the water they push up. But I am going to raise my motor about 2 more inches. The propshaft is about even with the bottom now

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: smart tab comments for John

watch you water pick up.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: smart tab comments for John

Just wanted to keep this threat alive for I'm still reluctant to put those on my boat just because of not being able to mount them anywhere but close to the center taking away from their full potential of side to side performance. I already have them so I'm probably going to put them on mainly because I plan to pull some youngsters around on a tube and would like to come up on plane without scaring the kids by having to go fast, performance loss in the steering dept. is ok just so I can stay on plane in slow turns.

 

[QC]

Re: smart tab comments for John

They are awesome for pulling young tubers. The difference between before and after will simply blow you away, even after getting your hopes up . . .

 

[ddaigle]

Re: smart tab comments for John

I dont think you will notice any difference turning but you will definitely see an improvement in planing time and speed. If I didnt have to drill more holes I would move mine right next to the motor for the added water flow. I have a Bobs machine transom water pickup thatI have modified with a screen to keep grass out. as long as the back of my boat is in the water i have no water pickup problems.

 

[magster65]

Re: smart tab comments for John

Hey look! They made their way to Victoria finally.
Sorry if I'm posting the link wrong... I know there's a rule about it...

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: smart tab comments for John

Running a business is not always fun. On those days when the frustrations are high, hours longer than I'd like, and "Murphy" thinks he is my new best friend it al seems worth it when I read these kind of comments. Thanks to you all!!! Have a great boating season.

 

[magster65]

Re: smart tab comments for John

Oops, sorry... is this ok... 'paynesmarine.com' ?

These guys are the biggest wholesaler in Victoria and they have 'Smart tabs' advertised on their homepage. Until now I think 'Bennett' hydraulic tabs were the only game in town.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: smart tab comments for John

Hi Magster65;

They are a great group and started with Smart Tabs earlier this year. Let them know you heard about them on the net.

Regards

John