Smart tabs results and a question

[Chopper Doc]

I just recently installed a set of Nauticus Smart Tabs on my Tahoe Q4 Sport with 3.0 Mercruiser. My results were fairly good for the most part. Low speed handling has drastically been increased now with no signs wandering. The boat does plane a bit faster and it definately enters choppy water a lot better. It does feel funny when making a high speed turn now. It feels like the back end of the boat is sliding through the turn, almost like a car trying to spin out. It is kind of unnerving. I can add some down trim and it holds better but it still doesn't feel right. I also get some prop blowout now if I don't stay on top of the trim switch. I have to gradually trim it up and allow speed to come up gradually at WOT or it will blowout and I have to throttle back untill it starts gripping again. Top speed has decreased by 3 mph. Max now with a loaf is 41 mph at 4600 rpm. I guess I can live with it but I thought I would not have lost top end. I had to adjust the struts to the lowest pressure setting after my first run and these results are the best I have gotten so far. My question is do I need to raise the tabs up and have them at less than 25 degrees or should I just be happy with what I have a leave it at that. I did have to raise the tab on the starboard side because at WOT the boat would make a left turn with hands-off of the steering wheel. I figured that side was lifting too much and causing the boat to dig in on the port side, My adjustment stopped the left pull. Anyway, now there is not much room for adjustment left on the starboard tab. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I would also like to send my thanks out to sumcat1 who sent me some installation pictures and suggestions.


Thanks,
Wes

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

You clearly have some instalation and or set up issues, you need to contact John @ nauticusinc.com or 1-800-233-0194.

He will bend over backwards to help you.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

Without other information, My first inclination is that there is too much stern lift. I am assuming that you do not have a Hydrofoil on the out drive.

Too much lift causes all of the issues you have mentioned: Less top end (should be more), torque list and steering to the left (port side), and Prop blow out.

This is easily fixed. If the actuator attachement location AT THE PLATE BRACKET is as close to the plate (down the slot) at possible (which you have indicated) then we need to exchange the actuators for a lower pressure set. No Charge for this.

Make sure that you are not mistaking the adjustment of the actuator at the plate bracket with changing the the initial angle of deployment. This adjustment is for increasing and decreasing the pressure ONLY.

Decreasing the pressure is to move the actuator closer to the plate (down the slot). To insure that you understand this I would suggest that you lossen the ball stud lock nut juast enough to slide the actuator down. Then pull up on the plate a few times to get an idea of how much force there is. Then slide the actuator up the slot and pull up on the plate. You will notice a significant difference in load.

Unfortunately, upon first glance the expectation is opposite, and adjustments are incorrect.

Please do not hesitate to call me at 800-233-0194.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

Mine did the same thing when first installed.Adjust the bottom nut on the actuator in towards the transom in half inch increments and re-test..
Too much lift will cause blow out!

 

[Chopper Doc]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

I have adjusted them all of the way in. Just like the directions said. The initial 25 degrees are just as the setup instructions directed. The boat is approximately 19.5 feet long with a 3.0 Mercruiser rated at 135 hp. I do NOT have any other trim devices installed. I ordered the set with the 60 pound actuaters from the iboats site. I felt that there was too much pressure even with the tabs adjusted all the way in. I did not know if I might need to raise the tabs to 20 degrees instead of 25. The instructions mentioned this may help.

Thanks for your help. As far as setup issues go I did it just like the directions indicated. I adjusted the tabs inward against the transom on the lower tab brackets to reduce pressure and it did help on the second run. The results of the first run had the top speed at 39 mph with the boat trying to turn left. The second run with the lowered pressure adjustments had the boat running true with a top speed of 41 mph. It still had prop blowout. The boat seems much more sensitive to weight changes now. The top speed prior to the tabs was 44mph.

Do I need smaller actuators? Is the 60 pound shocks too much?

Wes

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

You are going in the right direction, but still have too much lift, or more weight in the bow than normal. Wes, you need to call me as somthing does not seem right.

800-233-0194 until 6:00PM EST

 

[Chopper Doc]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

OK, will do. Talk to you later today. Got to get ready for work right now.

Thanks,
Wes

 

[Chopper Doc]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

I did call Nauticus today and spoke to someone on the phone. I was basically calling from work so I did get disconnected twice I think...my apologies. Trying to call from a cell phone from an active Army Airfield can be tedious at times. I didn't catch the guy's name but he was very enthusiastic about helping me so if John reads this I would like him to pay attention as he has either good folks working for him OR if it was John himself then I send my thanks. The guy on the phone seemed very knowledgable and was very willing to help me. He told me what he was going to do and advised me on what to do when I received the replacement parts. He also asked that when I tried the new configuration to please call them back and let them know how things worked out.

Damn, you just can't ask for any better than that. As far as whether things will work out better or not I can only assume that they will. If they don't then that is ok to me because most companies don't even bother to listen to their customers. Nauticus on the other hand not only listens but lends forth a helping hand. Thanks Nauticus.

I believe the fix that the Nauticus representative suggested has recommended will indeed solve my problem. I am not sure my boat will go any faster than before but I do think it will maintain. Even though the tabs as currently installed do cut down on max top speed they have definately increased the enjoyability of handling the boat. The 'ride' of the boat is much easier especially at idle and low speeds. Don't laugh when I write this but the low speed handling issues being corrected make the boat much easier to trailer. I am sure some of the 'old cats' out there can't appreciate this but I sure do. Anyway, I look forward to installing the lower pressure struts and giving them a try. Once everything is up and running I will try and post some pics of my installation. Oh yea, just so John knows, the day after I ordered the set for my boat I ordered a set for my friends boat as well. His boat is a 22' Sea Ray with a 4.3. When he gets it up and running I'll let you guys know how his setup has done. He has his installed but not tested it yet. His has the 80 pound struts as mine had the 60 pound struts. We both got the blemished tabs. Personally the tabs don't look blemished to me, they just look like standard 'mill' grade steel that has not been polished up. Fortunately for me as an aircraft mechanic I see this type of steel regularly and I know how to polish it to a mirror finish. The steel these tabs are made out of is an excellent grade of steel. If you don't belive me just try to drill a hole in it

When I get the tabs at optimum performance I plan on polishing them up. It may take a while as hunting season is approaching but if wanted I can share pics of my results.

Thanks all,
Wes

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

Ok mind letting us in on how to polish those guy's up? That would make a nice compliment to a shiny new prop that was just put on.......8)

 

[Chopper Doc]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

Polishing the things up are as easy as getting a cloth buffing wheel for your drill and a lot of tender love and care with your favorite metal polishing compounds. I would suggest starting out with a course jewelers rouge then work my way up with that to medium then fine. After you have done that I would suggest hand buffing the rest of it with a liquid polishing compound. I have not tried using an automotive buffing compound myself but I'd think it would be a worthy experiment. I may get some tommorow--who knows. Supposed to rain tomorrow and I am gonna take my wife to the jewelry store in Pensacola. So I may not have time to work on it any.

As for my original thread. I received a new set of actuators in the mail Friday. I installed them and set up the system just as the guy on the phone said. Made the first run and had a minor speed increase. Still had some prop blowout in the turns. I lowered the pressure setting down and got a touch more increase of speed and it seemed to remedy the prop blowout. Max speed now is 43.5 gps with the engine running at 4650 rpm. Not bad, not bad at all. I was running 44 wot before but I am completely satisfied with this setup as now the boat has much better handling charecteristics. I attribute the very minor loss of speed due to drag. My boat has a wimpy engine compared to most in its class. So long as the prop doesn't blow out and I can break the 41 mph limit that it came from the factory I am cool. I put on an aftermarket Apollo SS prop and it greatly helped the boat. Now with the smart tabs not only does it accelerate better it handles a hell of a lot better too. Thanks John DeAgro. You now have another happy customer who is more than willing to endorse your product. My last question for John is Do you wan't me to send you the old actuators back? Let me know as I don't mind either way.

Thanks a lot,
Wes

 

[rondi]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

Did they send out the wrong 60lb (maybe 80's by mistake?) actuators or did you go with even lighter ones?

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

Please send the origional set back to us. We will test them and then report what we found.

Thanks for you cooperation.

 

[Chopper Doc]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

I am sure they sent the right size. My boat just has tight quarters under the swim deck. I think it is just a combination of being midway out from center and the fact that I have the smaller 3.0 mercruiser which only makes 135 hp. That is a moderate power rating for a 19 1/2 foot boat. John sent me some replacement actuators that are 40 pounds. They seem to work well.

John: I am gonna return those old actuators to you. Will mail them out Friday if I have time. Been busy so far this week and it's just gettin started! Thank goodness for the boat taking me out into the middle of the lake where noone can find me

Wes

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

Everyone needs a lake to hide in!

Glad it is working out.

John

 

[goosebeary]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

Mine did the same thing when first installed.Adjust the bottom nut on the actuator in towards the transom in half inch increments and re-test..
Too much lift will cause blow out!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

....a shiny new prop that was just put on.......8)

ain't gonna help you one bit TG. Get your pink slip ready! 8)

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

....a shiny new prop that was just put on.......8)

ain't gonna help you one bit TG. Get your pink slip ready! 8)

...................................

 

[goosebeary]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

Hey, Gary H in NC, I have the same Starcraft 1901 Medalist, and want to try out the Smart Tabs, What size actuators are you running the 60 or 80 pounders?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

Hi goosebeary, I first tried the 80 pound they were too much so John sent me the 60 pound.....works great!
Got any boat pics?8)

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Smart tabs results and a question

Hi goosebeary, I first tried the 80 pound they were too much so John sent me the 60 pound.....works great!

Ditto on the 60 lb'rs. I have a medium weight, hand laid glass 20 ft'r with a 302 and I/O. I started with the 80 lb'rs a found them to be too much.