Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

[gprince]

I installed a set of Smart Tabs on my 2006 208 LXI and words can't describe the difference! Anyone considering on doing this should go for it!

 

[bmwbrian007]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

What are smart tabs. I have never heard of those before?

 

[gprince]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

http://www.nauticusinc.com/smart_tabsSX.htm

Description:

The NEW SX series incoporates all of the fully automatic features of our popular SMART TABS, in addition to the rust and corrosion free benefits of molded compsite materials. Assembly can be completed in seconds and the installation in a few minutes. The only tools required are a drill with a 3/16" bit and a phillips screw driver. SMART TABS SX provide un-equaled performance and durability with no maintenance in fresh or salt water. The system can be specifically tuned to maximize the performance of any power boat, and TRACKING RIBS have been added to improve handling at higher speeds.

The patented SMART TABS are a one of the kind trim and stabilizer system that automatically adjusts to the sea conditions, without the needed for expensive electric or hydraulic hardware and switches. The system constantly reacts to the water conditions, boat speed, and balance providing a remarkable improvements on any boat.

 

[orion25]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

I installed a set of Smart Tabs on my 2006 208 LXI and words can't describe the difference! Anyone considering on doing this should go for it!

I agree, they dropped my plane speed to about 16 mph. I have a 2007 LXi 208 with the 5.0 MPI.

 

[gprince]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

The Smart Tabs have 5 settings (slots). The default is slot 3. I've tried slot 2 and 4, but feel that slot 3 offered the best ride and WOT run.

 

[gprince]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

Has anyone else installed the Nautic Smart Tabs on their Larson besides Orion25 and I? If so, please comment your results.

 

[gprince]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

Orion25 which setting did you go with? I like slot 3. I tried the slots 4 & 5, but they seemed to make a little noise and didn't really help out with performance, so I switched them back to 3 and am very happy with them. I wished I had put a set on my other boats, especially the two Four Winns that I owned, they really needed them! Both the 180 and 190 had high bow rise and both listed (leaned) to the left. I solved the leaning by placing a 50 LB sack of sand under the front right bow seat, LOL.

 

[MikeBogart]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

I've reading the reports on the Smart Tabs response to getting out of the hole. I want to know how the react to listing correction.

 

[gprince]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

Hello Mike,

On your question about listing, I believe there are two situations that can cause listing and I believe the Smart Tab can solve one of them:

1. It has been my opinion that if you're having a listing problem with the boat completely empty, then the smart tabs may work be applying more pressure to the side that is listing. Like stated in a previous post, I have had 2 FourWinns that listed and it's a pain to deal with.

2. If you are trying to correct listing created by where people seat, I believe you might be better off going with a manual tab that you can adjust one tab more then the other. However, I have noticed that the Smart tabs that I have does a great job dealing with weighted listing situations.

What kind of boat do you have?

 

[RadioguyJ]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

Will these Smart Tabs help prevent porpoising? My 208 Lxi seems to porpoise (bow slams into the water repeatidly) when I trim the drive up just a hair. Does anyone else have this problem with their 208 Lxi?

 

[gprince]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

RadioguyJ,

I have the self adjusting smart tabs and porpoising and bow rise were the two main reasons I went with them. When you first install the tabs, it's recommending that you install them in slot 3. This setting should give you 2-3 mph on WOT and stop the porpoising. If porpoising continues, the instructions say to move the tabs to slot 4. I've ran over a year on slot 3 and love them. I adjusted them to slot 4 last night and going to the lake tomorrow to see if there is any difference.

 

[RadioguyJ]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

Any chance you can post a picture of the tabs on your 208? I'd like to know how they look, and where they get installed. I am seriously considering them.....also which ones do I need? It looks like there are a few choices.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[gprince]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

Here is the best shot I have of them. If you email email John at http://www.nauticusinc.com he can tell you exactly which ones fit. Good luck and let us know if you go with them! I installed them myself and took about an hour.

 

[RadioguyJ]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

Thanks! You and I have the exact same boat, which ones did you go with? I think the variation has to do with the lb. of the actuators. It says it varies from 30 lb to 80 lb, all for the same price.

Does that price ($135) include everything?

 

[divimon2000]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

Chinewalking help? Maybe?

 

[gprince]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

I don't have my paperwork with me, but I believe he recommended the biggest he had. I've got the 5.0 MPI, so my HP was off his chart so I emailed them. To answer the 2nd question, yes, it does help with Chinewalking at WOT. This is my 5th boat (1st Larson) and I wasn't happy with it until I got the Smart Tabs. Before the tabs, I had to stand up to see over the bow and porpoising was terrible. I emailed Larson and complained as nice as I could and they recommended the Smart Tabs. If you are still under Larson Warranty, there is a great chance, hint hint, they will supply and install them if you are nice and ask for a solution. One thing I'm working on, is when I get a lot of people in the boat, I have to place the largest person behind me to keep it level. I read that if you are listing to one side all the time, increase to the next slot on the side needing more weight. Good luck ! !

 

[gprince]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

Thanks! You and I have the exact same boat, which ones did you go with? I think the variation has to do with the lb. of the actuators. It says it varies from 30 lb to 80 lb, all for the same price.

Does that price ($135) include everything?

I believe it does. I don't recall if the 3M 5200 sealant was included. But if you speak or email with John before you buy, ask him to double check the stainless Steel screws. I was short two. No problem, I bought some at the hardware store.

Couple of tips:

* Tape off the area your going to drill.

* Place tape around the drill bit to create a stopping point. You don't want to drill to deep!

* Start the drilling in reverse to eliminate any gel coat cracking.

* Use the tip of a Q-tip without the cotton to apply the 5200 inside the holes before inserting the screws.

 

[SS194]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

I've got a 2001 Larson SEI 190 w/ 4.3 Volvo Penta. I'd love to get my planing speed down, but I also have purposing problem. One thing that I don't want to loose is top speed. I can hit 50 MPH per the GPS on smooth water with two people. I don't want to loose that! All that I've read about people's results is that they absolutely love them, but no mention in top speed.

I use a boat ramp in a river that's a 40 minute boat ride down to the lake. It's usually very smooth, so I usually am at a pretty good clip. Between 30 and 40 MPH. How will smart tabs effect fuel efficiency at these speeds?

One thing I don't understand is how they can increase top speed. There's more drag in the water.

Thanks guys. I may be ordering a set for my Larson soon!

Steve

 

[gprince]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

Hello SS194, there is no drag at WOT. When at WOT, the tabs are pushed up by the water, so the tabs actually extends your hull surface. At dead stop or slower speeds, the tabs are down, thus forcing the bow down and helping to eliminate porpoising. When you speed up, the tabs are slowly pushed up out of the way until they reach full retraction. I have the 80 lbs actuators, so it takes 80 lbs of water pressure to lift mine.

 

[heathk2003]

Re: Smart Tabs on my Larson 208 LXI - WOW!

SS194, I installed the smart tab sx on my glastron gls 195 and definetely didn't lose any top speed... if anything i think i may have picked up a mph or so. One negative is that top speed now feels almost boring because the boat is now soo smooth and chinewalk free.