Smart Tabs trend

[tygh]

I am noticing a trend on here where people are putting smaller smart tabs on their boats than what is recommended by Nauticus. I am in the market for tabs and currently have a 17' CC with a 50hp motor......which tabs should I use??? <br /><br />Confused in San Diego

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

Tygh;<br /><br />This is a good question! Hopefully I can answer it with some additional clarity.<br /><br />We attempt to "guide" you to the Trim Plate size and Actuator pressure that suites your boat best. We do this by categorizing the boat length (size) with the plate size (larger boats = larger plate size) and then attempt to categorize the (weight balance of the boat by referencing the HP of the motor ( the HP also leads us to the potential speed of the boat). <br /><br />Keep in mind that boat balance is the key to improved performance.<br /><br />Within each kit size the pressure can be "tuned" to suit the boat, and in most cases this works well. However, if the actuators are too stiff (provide too much lift) we can simply exchange actuators to the next lower pressure. For example exchanging 80 LB actuators for 60 Lb. actuators (ST1290-80 to ST1290-60)<br /><br />The tendency for most boat owners who feel they have too much bow rise and are too heavily stern loaded, is to option toward the high side. In some cases a boat that may call for the ST1290-80 is better balanced than it appears and only needs ST1290-60.<br /><br />As we have all found out there are no two boat alike, it is almost like finger prints. <br /><br />In the case of I/O's Vs. Outboards lies the majority of variance. A 150 HP outboard on the transom of a 18' boat is often more out of balance than the I/O at 190 HP (4.3 V6) in a 18' boat. Therefore the OB would take more pressure (ST1290-80) than the I/O (ST1290-60). <br /><br />Why? The boat balance is better in the I/O. Since all of the weight of the OB is directly on the transom, and some of the weight of the I/O is forward, the I/O need less compensation ( lift).<br /><br />It is my personal "rule of thumb" to use the ST1290-60 on I/O's with 4 or 6 cyl. motors.<br /><br />The good news is that all of the actuators are interchangeable, and we do not charge for this.<br /><br />I hope this helps. <br /><br />Tell me what your boat is and the HP and I will make the recommendation.

 

[ramster]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

While we're on the subject, I'll ask the same question. I have an 04 Glastron 195 SX W/a 5.0 V-8<br />The boat weighs around 2700lbs, and is 18'7". It is a great performing boat, with little bow rise and is quick planing, but as the load increases, such as pulling a skier with four people on board, bow rise is naturally more pronounced. With the V-8 would I be correct going to the 80 lber's?

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

Ramster;<br /><br />Yes, Use the ST1290-80. Let us know how you like them!

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

While we are on the subject, I put smart tabs on my 18' bowrider and i'm a believer. I'm looking at buying this now... And laugh if you must but i'm serious I think I'm going to need all the stability I can handle in it and was curious if you have a solution for this... its 10 ft long and has a 33 hp on it. I've already told the wife that any future boat will have smart tabs on it as an automatic cost of buying a boat. so anyway do you have a size in mind?<br />

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[tygh]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

Jim,<br />Thanks for the excellent and insightful reply. The boat in question is a Triumph 170cc with a Yamaha 50hp 4-stroke.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

Tygh;<br /><br />They were equiping this boat with a 70 HP two stroke back about four years ago. Use the ST980-40 and I think you will be pleased. Handling especailly in turns will be improved bit time! Obviously planing will be easy.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

Wimperdink;<br /><br />If you have room use the ST980-30 (9" Wide x 8" deep) if not use the ST780-30 (7" wide x 8" deep).

 

[budlin00]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

John,<br /><br />How about a 16' Galaxie boat with a 110 hp Johnson. Same size boat, larger engine, do the tabs need to be bigger?

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

BudLin00;<br /><br />Use the ST1290-60 - Keep in mind that they are adjustable to the individual boat, therefor each model will cover a broad range of boats. The plates are 12" x 9".

 

[txswinner]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

Nautijohn, You speak of adjustment, you are not referring to the strength of the actuator but position of the glides on the plates, right or wrong.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

When changing the position of the actuator on the plate bracket you increase or decrease the effctive pressure, because you are changing the leverage that the plate has to compress the actuator. The answer is that you are in fact changing the actuator pressure.

 

[tygh]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

Ok, I need an updated recommendation on the tabs. Changed the motor to a 75hp 4-stroke on the 170cc Triumph. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

Tygh;<br /><br />Use the ST1290-60 for best results. Call if you have any questions.

 

[spanpitts57]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

if i install these smart tabs, will there be a significant change in fuel consumption on a 14' vee hull runabout with a '57 35hp evinrude? significant being more than 15% or so.. <br />Thanks,<br />Mike

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

Fuel consumption is tricky at best, but let me attempt an answer. Trim tabs including Smart Tabs allow you to alter the design of the hull to make it more efficient, even as the conditions change. Smart Tabs are an active system and do this automatically and constantly. The changing conditions would be speed, load, balance, water, wind etc. <br /><br />For example, let's say you are trying to pull tubes at the threshold of the minimum plane speed, and the boat falls off plane, then you accellerate back to plane and so on. There are two issues here, one is that the boat is pushing water or barely riding on top, and two the speed is far below the optimum cruise speed which may be more like 32 MPH not 20 MPH.<br /><br />Trim tabs lift the stern and create a significantly better attitude and runing position at the 20 mph level or less. This will not reduce the fuel consumption to the same as the 32 MPH speed, but it can be 20% better (or more) than the 20 MPH speed without the tabs. <br /><br />The advantage that Smart Tabs provide over other systems is that they are constantly working to optimize the boat efficiency.<br /><br />Will you get more than 15% better fuel economy? It depends on your boat, You, and the conditions. Will it be noticable better? It has to be.<br /><br />Let's see what others have to say!<br /><br />And by the way,if you install Smart Tabs you should be able to increase the pitch of the prop (depending on the RPM range before) which will improve fuel efficiency as well. (less RPMs per mile.)

 

[JamNJ1955]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

John,<br /><br />I have a 2004 Bayliner 185, with a 4.3L Merc. What tabs would work best on my boat? Are there any local distributors in NJ? Or mail order for this area?<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />John

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

JamNJ1955;<br />Use ST1290-60 (not -80)!<br />Iboats here sells Smart Tabs, and most of the major retailer except Boater World also sell Smart Tabs.

 

[JamNJ1955]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

John,<br /><br />I looked up the product ST1290-60 and it says up to 150 HP, I have 190 HP, should I disreguard that and get the -60?<br /><br />Thanks<br />John

 

[dutch135]

Re: Smart Tabs trend

JamNJ,<br />My 205hp, 4.3LX on my 18' Crownline is similar to your boat, probably heavier, and I had to do the exchange form the 80 to 60 lb actuators.. which I just recieved in the mail from John n Co... <br />the 80's seemed to heavy, and I will post results with the 60's either friday of monday , depending on when I get to try them again.. <br />Listen to the guy, they're his babies!