Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

[Brijoe00]

I was hopeing to get some opinions on here in regards to whether I should get smart tabs, or hydraulic trim tabs for my boat

I have a 20' cuddy 4.3L v-6 probably around 170HP. I have problems dropping out of plane below around 15-20mph, Big bow rise on take off, bow tracks back and forth when idleing at slow speeds, or when I am trolling, and if the weight is to heavy on one side you can really feel the list of the boat.

I am trying to decide whether to get the smart tabs or hydraulic tabs. Does anyone have any input? Do the smart tabs work as well as the Hydraulics? What are some pros and cons. I would appreciate any input on this.

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

smart tabs all the way. do the same job for much less money...there are so many post just like this, just scroll down the forum. you will find a wealth of info.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

Smart Tabs aren't going to help the list. If you've got the bucks, I suggest Bennetts.

I put them on my boat and couldn't be happier!

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

smart tabs all the way. do the same job for much less money...

I'd say they'd do the initial "out of the hole" job just the same, beyond that, they don't even compare.

I just installed a set of Bennetts on my 23' boat. I bought them for $100 quasi-locally and had to replace an $80 switch. I'd also use the Lenco's in a heartbeat.

For your intial on-plain problems, I'd try the smart tabs... Beyond that, you're comparing apples to oranges.

 

[QC]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

Yeah, we need to pitch in and buy some Helm Adjustable tabs for tashaspappy; then he would unnasthstan . . . All three available at your favorite Mega Mall

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

No need to compare performance. It is a matter of personal preference, comfort level, and how the boat is used. Our position is simple, if you have a "destination" boat, helm controlled tabs may be best. If you have a sport boat, Smart Tabs may be best. Then factor in the personal preference, and available dollars.

No matter what the choice may be, trim tabs are the single best performance accessory you can add to any planing hull boat.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

No need to compare performance. It is a matter of personal preference, comfort level, and how the boat is used. Our position is simple, if you have a "destination" boat, helm controlled tabs may be best. If you have a sport boat, Smart Tabs may be best. Then factor in the personal preference, and available dollars.

No matter what the choice may be, trim tabs are the single best performance accessory you can add to any planing hull boat.

This guy has class, and smarts!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

when trolling or idling, neither is going to help with load list, boat is not moving fast enough. the bow wander is helped by either. the wander is the nature of the beast of a deep v hull. if you can totally solve that problem, you'd be rich.

 

[nlain]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

I have Smart Tabs on my boat, I recommend them highly for your use. What Jdeagro said above applies, it is your choice. If you go to John's website,
http://www.nauticusinc.com/ read the materials there, they explain a lot, there are a lot of posts here that explain a lot, I will say that for me they have done everything advertised, that is all you can ask. Support is great also.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

If all you want to do is get on plane faster and at a lower speed get smart tabs. They are cheaper and do
the job very well.

If you want total control of your boat at any speed and sea condition then get helm adjustable tabs. I
installed a set of bennett trim tabs on my 1980 boat in 1981 and it is the best thing I ever installed on my
boat. My 21 foot boat plans at 18 to 20 mph without tabs. With tabs it will plane at 11 and stay on plane
to 9 mph. When offshore and the seas are large You can slow way down and stay on plane. This means
the bow is down on the water where it can cut thru the chop and swells but you can still slow down to a
safe speed and not pound your boat and crew.

My boat like most boats leans into the wind. So with out tabs the boat leans into the wind and when the
boat cuts thru the swells it throws saltwater spray up into the air off the side of the boat. The wind then
blows the spray all over the back of the boat and the whole back of the boat is wet with saltwater.
With adjustable tabs I adjust the boat level and it cuts the waves better. When level and on plane the
spray comes off the bottom of the boat not the side. The spray is not thrown up into the air but instead
it is thrown out to the side. The wind still tries to blow the spray back on to the boat but by the time it
does the boat has moved foward and the back of the boat stays dry.

With a following sea it is unsafe to have any trim at all. So you take all the trim off and ride the back side
of the swell but near the top so you can see boats comming out or rocks sticking out or the channel
buoys. Most swells travel about 20 miles per hour and it is very unsafe to go over the swell so it one hand
on the throttle and one on the wheel.

In the bay and rivers and lakes you can still adjust the boat for the best ride at any speed and for any size
chop. Better on the boat a crew. Some days you need no trim at all, your heading out and the water is
glassy not ever a ripple so you let the bow ride a little high for speed and fuel mileage. When you come
around the corner you see a 25 foot cutty cabin pulling a wake boarder at sub planning speed so you reach
down and adjust the bow down on the water for best wave cutting turn into the wave for a good crossing
angle then take the trim back off.

Some days the best speed is 10 mph for conditions and some days it is good at 17 and with adjustable tabs
you can adjust for best safe ride at any speed. Can also adjust for best fuel mileage. You get the boat on
plane with the motor trim in the center and set your speed. Then adjust trim tabs for the ride you want
and last adjust motor trim for best speed at that throttle position. You now have the speed you want the
ride you want and the best fuel mileage for that condition.

You can have fun with adjustable tabs also. When I have new people on the boat I pick the girl with the
best shape or bikini and I adjust her side down. Then I will ask her to trade sides with the fat guy to
balance the boat and of course as they trade side I again adjust her side low. At some point I ask how
much do you weigh and suggest it could be that heavy bikini top she is wearing. Has worked.
Just make sure there are no firearms around when she finds out.

 

[Brijoe00]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

To everyone who posted here I really appreciate all the input. I know there are alot of posts allready on here about tabs, but I thought I would ask anyway and get opinions as to my situation. I have purchased dome smart tabs and am going to try those out first, mainly because you cant beat the price. If in the future I find I would benefit more from hydraulic then i will look into those, however it sounds like everyone is happy with the smart tabs. It does sound fun though playing the trim tab game, but my wife is the one with the best shape and bikini, and Im the fat guy. That wouldnt work out to well, I might be sleeping in the boat for the summer after that.

One of the main reasons I went with smart tabs is the fact that John the owner of Nauticus takes time out of his day to frequent this forum and offer advice and help. I am sure you are a very busy guy, but that is huge to me, and very admirable thank you for that.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

You are Welcome. I hope that I contribute to better boating for everyone, regardless of your choices in trim tabs.

Make no mistake, I have secondary motives as well. It is important to us that our product is understood, and this is not an easy task. Any time a new product is introduced to the market, especially one with a new approach to old problems, misunderstanding occurs. This can kill a product. I believe our product has it's place in the market, and deserves to be there.

This year we all will be facing gass pricing that can impact our boating use. There are many ways to reduce fuel cost but the most effective is to use less. Take the junk you don't need out of the boat, drive a bit more concervatively, choose the correct prop, keep the bottom clean, etc.
Have fun!

 

[MWK]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

Does boat size or weight matter if deciding between Smart tabs or hydraulic tabs? I've got a 21' deck boat that I can't get on plane when pretty well loaded (9-10 people). Would one or the other work better in my case? I'm willing to give up some top speed for a quicker plane. (or is my prop the problem)?

 

[QC]

Re: Smart tabs vs Hydraulic trim tabs

Can't answer prop stuff without mo data, but both style tabs will do the job if planing is your only concern. If installed properly on your boat they should not have a negative affect on top speed.

For prop question we need specific details on engine, RPM at wide open throttle, trimmed out for the best top speed you can get, GPS speed would be nice and anything else related you might think we might like to know. Mo data = betta answer . . . Welcome aboard iboats BTW!!!