smart tabs on a deck boat

[Campylobacter]

I have a Hurricane deck boat, 19' with 140HP ob motor. I'm fairly happy with it but it takes 3500-4000 rpm and over 25 mph to plane out, and I'd like to be able to plane a little lower. I've been reading the forums and everybody raves about smart tabs, but I have a few questions:

Has anybody tried Smart tabs on a deck boat?

We have kids and swimming is one of our major activities on the lake. Are the smart tabs dangerous to swim around? We have a boarding ladder in the back and I don't want to have to stop using it.

Lastly, my boat seems to be a "tweener" in terms of what size to order. the 60 lb version is recommended for boats with up to a 140HP motor, but I feel like the deck boat is quite a bit heavier (~3,000 lbs with motor and gas, no people) than other 19' boats. Should I go up to the 80lb size?

Thanks for any input,
Jon

 

[QC]

Re: smart tabs on a deck boat

Welcme to iboats Campylobacter!!

Can you get us any pics of the stern of your boat? The Hurricane site doesn't see4m to have any good pics of that area. They will absolutely work with a deckboat, but pics would help to confirm any interference issues.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: smart tabs on a deck boat

Here is a picture of my stern (port side).

No tie downs in the pic, but they come thru the angle where the chine flattens out, so they should not be in the way. The ladder is on the starboard side, it has about 11" of clearance from the transom down by the hull.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: smart tabs on a deck boat

the ideal location is going to interfere with the boarding ladder i think. marked in red is the ideal location.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: smart tabs on a deck boat

Thanks for the reply,

I've been looking at the "SX" tabs, because of the safety issue with the kids. They look like they have rounded edges made of plastic. I do have 11" of clearance from the hull to the boarding ladder (it comes off the boat at an angle), will that be engough? I havn't been able to find out the dimensions of the SX tabs.

Any thoughts about the correct size?

Jon

 

[Maclin]

Re: smart tabs on a deck boat

I would look at putting on a combination swim platform and ladder designed for an outboard boat, that will extend the ladder out enough to not interfere with a tab. That would also give you two nice improvements to the boat.....easier to get in and out for swimming, and faster planing!

 

[new_boater]

Re: smart tabs on a deck boat

ok you guys got me thinking about my boat what kind of swim ladder would be best as i don't want people trying to step on the splash well area

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: smart tabs on a deck boat

new boater, put a plywood platform, cover with carpet, on top of your splash well, leaving room for the motor.

Campy, email John at Nautilus.com here the inventer and owner of the company, and a member of the forum. he can answer all your questions.

 

[new_boater]

Re: smart tabs on a deck boat

thanks tashasdaddy great ideal

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: smart tabs on a deck boat

Hey Campylobacter: Are you by any chance a Microbiologist?

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: smart tabs on a deck boat

Frank,

Actually, I am. I study campylobacter at NC State (Dept of Microbiology).

How 'bout you?

Jon

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: smart tabs on a deck boat

Currently work for USDA --"Meat Police". Years ago I was a microbiologist for Fleischmann Yeast in Peekskill. Maintained pure cultures, tested for Salmonella, Staph, E. coli, and thermophiles. ---primarily. Did lots of scope work too.