Smart Tabs - SS or Composite

[cloumar]

What is best - the SS tabs or the SX composite tabs ?

Also on aluminium boat, is it gonna hold OK - I mean with time any possible screws problem like becoming loose with time by stress and vibration ?

I don't want to have them becoming loose and having to fit bigger screws.

Thanks

Cloumar

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Smart Tabs - SS or Composite

the type of fastener you use will determine that. bolts with lock washers and nuts would solve that. the type tab would have nothing to do with that. personally i would use composite. no electrolisys problem, of different metals.

 

[cloumar]

Re: Smart Tabs - SS or Composite

Thanks Tashasdaddy,

But if I follow instruction as per Nauticus, I will have to install those tabs from 3 to 5 inches from the side edge of the boat.
So this on my boat it is a no way to install bolts and nuts as there is no way to reach it by inside from the service ports. 5 inches around from the side wall of the boat it falls into an area behind a bracing and a plate filled with foam.
This is why I was asking the question about screws if they last or become loose with time.

Cloumar

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Smart Tabs - SS or Composite

On a small aluminum boat, I probably wouldn't install them at all if I couldn't use nuts and bolts. I don't think you'd be able to seal it properly otherwise and the hull thickness isn't sufficient to hold the screws tight enough. Maybe you could fashion an aluminum bracket for the tabs that you could weld to the hull. That would be ideal. As for the composite vs. the SS. Personal preference. I like the SS ones and have never had a problem with mine. I've seen quite a few issues on here with the composite ones however.

 

[cloumar]

Re: Smart Tabs - SS or Composite

Hi Drowned Rat,

Thanks for your input, the boat is not that small I am talking here of a 17.5-feet long - 92-inches beam - 80-inches bottom of transom and 1400-lbs boat only add 400-lbs for the engine - plus batteries and electr. motor - plus fishing gear and gas 40gal.= around 2350-lbs. total

Thickness of transom wall .100''

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Smart Tabs - SS or Composite

If the transom is solid would there not be wood behind the metal?
If sealed well with 4200 i think it would be fine.

 

[cloumar]

Re: Smart Tabs - SS or Composite

Hi Gary,

At the bottom of the transom on aluminium boat there is no wood, there is wood from top to about half to 2/3 of the transom height.

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Smart Tabs - SS or Composite

then use a stainless marine toggle, and seal with 3m4200.

http://www.iboats.com/Garelick_Stai...225796962--**********.927022250--view_id.2616