Smart tabs. Stainless or ABS (SX series) for 20' boat

[TJDave]

I installed the Smart Tabs SX on my previous 18' boat and the results were amazing. I had no problems with them whatsoever for 3 seasons. I replaced the 18' boat for a 20' boat with a V8 near the end of last summer. This boat would benefit greatly with a set of Smart Tabs also. I just can't decide on which model. The SX reviews are excellent for the 18' boat size, but horrible for the 19'-22' size (both say they broke off). There are no reviews for the stainless tabs.
Not sure if the bad review poster installed them correctly or not, or if it is a double post. Who knows?

Just looking for advise or experiences with one or the other on a 20' glass boat.

Thank-you for any replies
Dave

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Smart tabs. Stainless or ABS (SX series) for 20' boat

Hey Dave,

I have stainless smart tabs on my 20' deck boat and so far have no issues.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Smart tabs. Stainless or ABS (SX series) for 20' boat

Ping or PM, Tabman aka Tom on here.

He'll give you the lowdown poop on what you might need.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Smart tabs. Stainless or ABS (SX series) for 20' boat

Have no first hand experience;but I lean to the ss tabs.My feeling is with plastic you may have spontanious failure that could result from abuse or over tightenimng.The ss tabs aren't likely to fail.
Not a reflection on these tabs only the plastic construction.

 

[Ernest T]

Re: Smart tabs. Stainless or ABS (SX series) for 20' boat

I've got the SS tabs on my 21 foot boat and no problems for the first season. If you start looking around all the problems are with the plastic SX series tabs. Stay with the SS version for less headaches. They are not much more expensive anyhow.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Smart tabs. Stainless or ABS (SX series) for 20' boat

I don't have any either but I just think stainless would look better, but then again I am a chrome junky too

 

[sstaz]

Re: Smart tabs. Stainless or ABS (SX series) for 20' boat

My friend has the SX on his 20ft Trophy. He had 2 break off till Nauticus found the problem. They sent him a pair that didn't have the ribs on the bottom. Been 2 years since then with no problems.

 

[nlain]

Re: Smart tabs. Stainless or ABS (SX series) for 20' boat

I have the stainless tabs on my SeaRay 185Sport and they have been great, they are about 6 years old now. I of course have followed the tabs since getting mine, there have been a few problems with the SX tabs but I think most of those have been worked out. I do know that if something does happen all you need to do is contact John at Nauticus/jdeargo on iboats and he will work with you to correct whatever it may be. I personally like the Stainless version, just me.

 

[TJDave]

Re: Smart tabs. Stainless or ABS (SX series) for 20' boat

Update. I ordered the stainless model. They will match my stainless prop anyway.

I ordered the 80 model actuators according to the chart. It was not easy drilling holes in my last boat, although I was very happy I did. This time it might be easier, but I doubt it.

 

[TJDave]

Re: Smart tabs. Stainless or ABS (SX series) for 20' boat

Well, they are on. Will try them out on the water today. I hope they perform as well as the SX Smart tabs did on my previous boat.
I ordered the optional bracket that will allow me to retract them if I need to for any reason. The stainless versions come with some self adhesive sealant tape that you use during install. It's like a foam strip that goes between the hull and the tabs. Although the instructions did not call for it, I squirted some marine sealant in the holes as well. Here is a couple pics I took.

 

[dchris103]

Re: Smart tabs. Stainless or ABS (SX series) for 20' boat

Well, I was considering the composite smart tabs, due to the fact that I run in salt water but with the possibility of them breaking of failing, I may just go with the stainless. Very helpful thread. Thanks.

 

[nlain]

Re: Smart tabs. Stainless or ABS (SX series) for 20' boat

I have had no problem with the stainless steel, trailer boat, clean each time it is in and out of the water. If you are going to leave in the water, especially Saltwater, get the proper anti corrosion parts for the tabs.