Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

[carljh]

Hi there,<br /><br />After reading favourable articles about Smart Tabs on iboats forums I want<br />to give them a go.<br /><br />My boat is an Osprey manufactured in Zimbabwe. Size is:<br />LENGTH 4'57M (15'0")<br />BREADTH 1,83M (6'0')<br />DRY WEIGHT 250 KG<br /><br />Engine is a Yamaha 115HP 2 stroke which I believe weighs 370 pounds dry.<br />I have a battery at the stern of the boat alongside 2 x 5 Gallon fuel<br />tanks and another battery in the bow.<br /><br />The propeller is a Quicksilver Laser 2 - 22" pitch and 13" diameter. The<br />WOT speed is 47 MPH. It gets on the plane pretty quickly but the back end <br />sits well in the hole. There are normally between 2 and 4 people in the boat.<br /><br />The boat is back heavy and there isn't a lot I can do to move things around inside <br />the boat to improve this.<br /><br />

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<br /><br />My local dealer suggests ST-1290-60 Smart Tabs. <br />I am in the UK and the boat is in Zimbabwe so going back to the dealer to <br />change the actuators is not so easy.<br />While I am not disputing my dealers recommendation can anyone who has fitted Smart Tabs offer any opinion on the size suggested based on their experiences?<br /><br />Carl

 

[stevens]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

Look at the sizing chart on www.nauticusinc.com. I think your dealer recommendation is right. Perhaps NautiJohn will chime in here.<br /><br />I think some common mistakes to make are to either choose too small plates or too strong actuators. With the 12x9 plates, you should be just fine.<br /><br />With all the actuators you have a lot of flexibility in adjusting the pressure setting up or down, so a 60 lbs actuator would cover a wide span. You may need to tweak it little before you find the right setting for your boat & load.<br /><br />Also, both Nauticus and the dealers are flexible when it comes to actuator exchanges, and they are so light that they may easily be sent by post.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

Call john at Nauticus and see what he recommends. I have the 1290-60's on my ~2400lb bowrider with a small block v8 sterndrive, and I run my tabs at the lightest setting.<br /><br />I would install them again in a heartbeat. Love the way they make the boat handle and she jumps on plane now.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

Where you have the 8" line drawn, is where you will want to install them, if those turn buckles are in the way when you trailer, move them. You want them as far out as you can get them. Follow the directions exactly, and make sure you install them the 1/2" up from the bottom like they say.<br /><br />Whats your WOT RPM fully trimmed?

 

[carljh]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

WOT is 5400

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

Naturally your holeshot is lacking with a top rpm of only 5400 rpm. Thats understandable.<br /><br />John is traveling to Amsterdam to the METS show. I'm sure he'll answer as soon as he gets to a computer. Just dont think he's ignoring you. He's not.

 

[stevens]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

Dhadley - are you saying he is overpropped and therefore lugging his engine?<br /><br />In any case, NautiJohn has said that one may often be able to go up some in pitch after installing the tabs. Maybe then this will sort itself out?

 

[carljh]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

According to my manual the FOT operating range is 4500 - 5500 RPM and it soon gets there, its just that I want to get out of the hole quicker and plane at lower speeds.

 

[stevens]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

And that is exactly what the Smart Tabs will help you achieve!<br /><br />Please let us know how this works out for you.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

Yep, the tabs will really help that. But with a top rpm of only 5400 your holeshot wont be as good compared to a set up that allows the motor to turn 5800. With todays fuel the motor will live longer if its set up at 5800 rather than 5400, no matter what rpm you run at normally.

 

[carljh]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

Well I found out today that my hull is angled at the transom. It isn't an area I have paid much attention to until now and as I only get out to Zimbabwe 3 times a year I think I can be forgiven. It looks like I will have to try the MT1175-60 Mobster Tabs but I will have to get the mounting dimensions for them off John as I only have 8.5" of flat surface to mount them on.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

You will need to move the tiedowns. The hinge in 10" and the plate extends about 2" beyond that.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

Get them move the tie and you will never look back.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

Originally posted by ngwagwa:<br /> WOT is 5400

Ill bet if he gets them that this number will go up. Mine did.

 

[carljh]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

John,<br /><br />What depth are the hinges please.<br /><br />Carl

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

The hinge is 1.5" open (flat) and 10" long. Each side is 5/8" wide from the center pin.

 

[marker]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

ARE THESE SMART TABS JUST GOOD FOR GETTING ON PLANE OR WILL THEY ALLOW YOU TO ADJUST YOUR PORT OR STARBOARD LIST

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs - any opinions ?

Marker; When set (adjusted) with both actuators at the same tension (lift pressure) the compensation for port to starboard lists would be similar to the suspension system on your car. Since they are active 100% of the time they work to keep the boat in the best attitude. If you have excessive weight shifts some of the correction would be made automatically.<br /><br />If you have a permanent list such as that which would occur with a kicker motor on one side, a torque list from the prop, or some other reason, the Smart Tabs can be adjusted to compensate for this list by increasing the pressure on the one side and reducing it on the other.

 

[jwalk]

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