Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

[Mark42]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

Today I ran with a full load, actually a few lbs over the boats listed weight capacity (including additional weight from hard top, fuel tank, etc).

Set the smart tabs back to the middle position, and the boat ran great. Easy to get on plane, easy cruising, and it never felt stern heavy. I'm going to remove the composite plastic nut and bolt that adjust the actuator position with a stainless pin and clip. This way I can change the actuator position without tools at a moments notice.

Also cut the lexan shield for the hand holds, and it did the job to prevent the water splashing on the rear passengers. The whole rear stayed dry.

So thats it. I've run light, and I've run heavy, and the Smart Tabs handled each condition well. So I'm going to keep them.

 

[pduquette]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

You order a set for the MFG yet ??? peter

 

[Mark42]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

You order a set for the MFG yet ??? peter

Hi Peter! No, the MFG won't get them, because it doesn't need them. It works great just the way it is!

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

Great post. very interesting reading.
I to have found trim tabs to be a huge benefit. Mine are not Smart tabs tho.
I had simular issues before I got mine working and all are gone now.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

Great report.How did the tabs effect top speed, and did it seem to run faster with a load or cruise on less throttle?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

Great report.How did the tabs effect top speed, and did it seem to run faster with a load or cruise on less throttle?

I haven't had nice enough water to run WOT for a top speed test. Water has always been a bit choppy. The tabs let the boat run in water conditions we normally would not have been out on, but not smooth enough for a top speed run.

Hopefully on early morning outing I have planned later this week will let me see how the top speed has been affected, if any. Also need to determine if the traditional trim pin setting needs to be changed to compensate for the tabs or not. I need some nice smooth water and some time alone to test different combination of trim pin and actuator setting. Hard to do with the family on board wanting to get to the beach.

I like the fact that its easy to change the actuator setting, and replacing the nut/bolt with a pin and clip will make that even easier. I know what the load will be, and if I can change the tabs to match load in a minute or so, that would be ideal.

Will update after some top speed runs are done. I wouldn't be surprised if the top speed was cut a mile or two, just because the tabs are creating some additional drag. Also keeping the bow down does put more hull in the water, and that is more drag. But we will see.

 

[MRS]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

Mark, excellent report I know now I need to go with the 1290x80 ss mine is 19' with tank and batteries on deck at the stearn. Thanks for the updates I was not sure if I was going to go with ajustable tabs or smart tabs but from what you put smart should work just fine. I did find a set for $159.00 new so I am going to get them.....

 

[Mark42]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

Mark, excellent report I know now I need to go with the 1290x80 ss mine is 19' with tank and batteries on deck at the stearn. Thanks for the updates I was not sure if I was going to go with ajustable tabs or smart tabs but from what you put smart should work just fine. I did find a set for $159.00 new so I am going to get them.....

Thank you! Glad the info helped you decide what to get. Hope you are happy with them.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

Mark;

I too would like to thank you for the detailed report. My guess is that you are very analytical and not easy to please which makes me appreciate your installation and testing even more.

With regard to the splash issue, it usually means that the plates are not retracting completely (too much pressure). Clever idea to add the lexan.

Again Thanks!

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

Great write-up!
I also love mine, and they do everything promissed, plus some! Best $$$ spent for my boat, HANDS-DOWN.
Not only do they make a great product, their customer service is with some of the best I have ever dealt with.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

Mark;

I too would like to thank you for the detailed report. My guess is that you are very analytical and not easy to please which makes me appreciate your installation and testing even more.

With regard to the splash issue, it usually means that the plates are not retracting completely (too much pressure). Clever idea to add the lexan.

Again Thanks!

Thanks for the splash info. I may have had them set too firm.

Great write-up!
I also love mine, and they do everything promissed, plus some! Best $$$ spent for my boat, HANDS-DOWN.
Not only do they make a great product, their customer service is with some of the best I have ever dealt with.

They were good on the phone when I called with some questions before buying. Can't complain!


BTW, yesterday we got out in some dead calm water and I ran the boat full throttle for a minute or two. Had about half a load, and the boat topped out at 35 mph. Best speed was 40 with just me in the boat, only about 6 gallons of gas, and before the hard top was installed. I think the hard top cuts about 2 mph due to wind drag, and the rest is load and drag on the water. I think it would be faster if the motor was trimmed out another hole (manual trim). Feels like too much hull was in the water on that trip.

BUT, a few minutes later the boat broke down. The throttle linkage messed up (roll pin sheared where a lever is pinned to a rod) and now I'm not sure if the throttle was opening full or not on that test. So after getting the boat fixed (hopefully this after noon) I'll try to get a new speed test. Before launching, I moved the actuators back to the center position from the more firm position when we were loaded for the previous run. This took all of 30 seconds to do when the tie down straps were removed from the transom.

I didn't get to play with motor trim, maybe next run.

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

This has been a very helpful post, and helped me decide to purchase my own Smart Tabs. Mine are the Smart Tabs II for big boats, and will be installed on my 1982 Chris Craft 25 footer.

I'll update my purchase post and let folks know how mine turn out.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Smart Tabs Delivered Today! - Update Water Test!

I'd like to hear some effects of them installed on your MFG hull.