Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

[XoDiViAoX]

Hi,

I have ordered a pair of smart tabs and installed them today, my question is that my transom seems to be all aluminum, with no plywood or wood behind it anything. Will the screws be enough to hold the tabs on there?

I've never been around boats much, so I don't know if most other transoms have wood behind them or not, but the reason is im asking is I don't want them to come lose when I'm in the river or anything.

I put attwood 7200 in the holes and on the screws before i screwed them in.

Any feedback would be helpful, gonna put it in the water on thursday and try them out, if anyone knows the answer here please let me know, thanks

 

[NYBo]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

I would use stainless steel machine screws, washers, and locknuts instead of screws.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

I would use stainless steel machine screws, washers, and locknuts instead of screws.

I would do the same but add stainless steel fender washers to spread the load.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

....personaly I would use stainless steel machine screws/washers/nuts and a sizeable backing plate to spread out the load. My major concern would be long term stress cracking of the sheet aluminum transom without additional support.

 

[XoDiViAoX]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

I used the machine screws that came with them and I can't see the back of the screws to put washers or nuts on them. There are aluminum buildups on both sides of the inside down in there so I don't know what to do. I wanted the smart tabs to stop porpoising but I'm not too confident about this installation.

 

[iconracing]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

buy longer screws

 

[XoDiViAoX]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

I used Sheet Metal Screws, that's what came with them. I just looked, and I can't see where they came threw, where they are located they are aluminum buildups on both sides made into my boat. If I could get down there I would have to take ALOT of stuff loose, like the batteries, the oiler box full of oil, and a bunch of other stuff. The instructions doesn't say anything about adding nuts to the other side, does anyone on here have these? if so, how did you install them?

 

[NYBo]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

Machine screws aren't the same thing as sheetmetal screws. Machine screws are essentially small bolts with slotted or Phillips-head tops.

Is there any way to get access to the area of the transom where the screws came through? How about a picture?

 

[XoDiViAoX]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

I installed them with Sheet Metal Screws, that's what the instructions said to do. I can't see where they came threw, the boat is built where you can't access that far down in the rear, there is a bunch of aluminum platforms they built from the factory that is in the way

Machine screws aren't the same thing as sheetmetal screws. Machine screws are essentially small bolts with slotted or Phillips-head tops.

Is there any way to get access to the area of the transom where the screws came through? How about a picture?

 

[rwidman]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

I used Sheet Metal Screws, that's what came with them. .......................... The instructions doesn't say anything about adding nuts to the other side, does anyone on here have these? if so, how did you install them?

That's because they are normally installed on fiberglass boats with either a solid or wood cored transom. The transom on a fiberglass boat may be an inch or more thick. I seriously doubt you have one inch of solid aluminum. When you drilled the holes you should have been able to tell what you were drilling through. Aluminum, then wood, foam, air, etc. From your original post, it seemed like you had only a 1/8" or so aluminum transom, that's why you got the responses suggesting bolts and backing plates.

You have the instructions, there should be a telephone number for installation help. I suggest you call them and ask them directly. If you can'r figure this out or don't have confidence in your installation, I suggest you get some experienced help.

BTW: Yes, I installed a set on a fiberglass boat, following the instructions. No problem.

 

[XoDiViAoX]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

I called them and asked, and he said that it will be fine. He said most aluminum boats doesn't have wood behind the transom, and that all the force is pushing into the boat from the smart tabs rather than pulling them away from the boat, and in 10 years of installing them he's never had any ripped off of an aluminum boat using the sheet metal screws. I guess I'll leave them on like I have them installed, they feel real sturdy, I just hope they don't eventually vibrate loose and come out.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

In the past I had a depthfinder transducers pull loose when I only sheet metal screwed it in. After I bolted it on I had no more problems.

My current tinny has the bottom of the transom enclosed like yours so I had to manufacture a special bracket for the transducer that extended above the hollow transom, so I could mount it in the wooden top portion.

THat's why I bought a Doelfin rather than a trim tab.

In your case, it sounds like they warranted your installation. If you do have a problem, make sure they will cover the cost of the repairs.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

http://www.nauticusinc.com/contact_nauticus.html

Contact them..They are without a doubt a great after the sale service orginazation..

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

I called them and asked, and he said that it will be fine. He said most aluminum boats doesn't have wood behind the transom, and that all the force is pushing into the boat from the smart tabs rather than pulling them away from the boat, and in 10 years of installing them he's never had any ripped off of an aluminum boat using the sheet metal screws. I guess I'll leave them on like I have them installed, they feel real sturdy, I just hope they don't eventually vibrate loose and come out.

Opps missed that one,while John does not frequent the forums as much anymore he is a genuine person that gives good advice...AKA he doesnt wing it to get a sale. If he says they will last they will...That is unless you beach the boat on the transom or something of that nature..

 

[XoDiViAoX]

Re: Smart Tabs on Aluminum Boat Question on INstall

I hope they hold, I'll post an update in the future if anything happens to them anytime over the next couple of months. I really hope they will last though, because I had to drill 12 holes in my transom, and I didn't want to drill any holes, I had just read these were alot better than hydrofoils and my boat porpoises too much to suit me