Smart Tabs?

[nlain]

Re: Smart Tabs?

They do everything stated and save fuel. I have them and would put them on another boat, they work great.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Smart Tabs?

I'm not sure why anyone would need them unless their floatation foam was waterlogged in the aft of their boat.

I have a 17' Deep V aluminum rated for a 90 hp with only a 50 hp motor and my boat planes fine.

What did do before there were smart tabs?

I half-way agree with Jig here--you don't typically need them on a 17' aluminum boat with a 50. Of the many boats I've owned or used, I only have tabs on one, a 21' deep V CC (trim tabs, not smart tabs) and I love them. But I have zero interest in putting them on any of my other boats--including a 19' and a 17'.

If you have power trim/tilt on a smaller boat you cover 80% of the tabs' function right there. I'd get the PTT before tabs since I have limited money for toys.

Unless your boat is a real pig (a 17' cabin for example) they are of marginal utility on smaller boats. So you have to do a cost benefits analysis. You have to look at your use and conditions (a water sports boater may fnd them more useful than a fishernman). Just like any other non-essential and relatively new gadget in boating.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Smart Tabs?

I think everybody that has tried them loved em.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Smart Tabs?

They cure baldness and ED, too...

 

[SeaSquatch]

Re: Smart Tabs?

Omg. I've got these on my boat! I need to put some power to it and see if these things still work!

I really need to get working on it, but this is the first mechanical thing I've learned about it(that wasn't obvious). I'm hoping to get it in the water by may when my family visits.

 

[Lowe170]

Re: Smart Tabs?

They cure baldness and ED, too...

Why didn't you say so earlier!? All I need them for is the baldness, of course...

 

[Charlie in TX]

Re: Smart Tabs?

I have a McKee Craft 18 (17.4 ft). It performed ok without tabs. A couple areas that needed improvement were getting on plane in shallow water and porpoising. I fish flats, if I can't get up on plane in 15-18 in of water, I will be doing a lot of idling to deeper water. The tabs made a big improvement in both areas. Before the bow would rise when trying to get on plane and drive the prop into the bottom. Now the boat almost rises out of the water staying level. Porpoising has been eliminated. An additional benefit is the boat handles choppy water better.

Nut cutting time, I like the tabs and would replace them if they broke off. They are worth the money.

 

[Frankhanhart]

Re: Smart Tabs?

Love my Smart Tabs. In addition to all the other things mentioned, they also reduce or eliminate chine-walking on the top end.

Jim

Tested them out yesterday with 2 man on board. My boat, 17' Reefrunner by Invader, has most of the weight aft. Now no more chine walking (perfect steering for trolling), quick holeshot too. A bit too much bow-down for my liking (guiding 4 persons gets me more weight in the front) so adjusted the tabs from hole nr 3 to hole nr 1 for less pressure. And we did good with 2 pike and 3 zander yesterday http://forums.iboats.com/images/icons/icon10.png
Testing will continue till I get the best set-up. Pretty confident though !
Frank

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: Smart Tabs?

I installed them and just love them! They surely made the boat handle differently at speed and of course at lower speeds. No more v hull wander and they also do help get on plane quicker with very minimal bow rise (which to me is awesome) I also installed the PR500 brackets so I could raise the out of the water for wake boarding. It was fun to show my wife how well they worked and I could raise them out of the water and show her the difference. Worth every penny for sure!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Smart Tabs?

I half-way agree with Jig here--you don't typically need them on a 17' aluminum boat with a 50. Of the many boats I've owned or used, I only have tabs on one, a 21' deep V CC (trim tabs, not smart tabs) and I love them. But I have zero interest in putting them on any of my other boats--including a 19' and a 17'.

If you have power trim/tilt on a smaller boat you cover 80% of the tabs' function right there. I'd get the PTT before tabs since I have limited money for toys.

Unless your boat is a real pig (a 17' cabin for example) they are of marginal utility on smaller boats. So you have to do a cost benefits analysis. You have to look at your use and conditions (a water sports boater may fnd them more useful than a fishernman). Just like any other non-essential and relatively new gadget in boating.

I disagree totally, yes on a light weight aluminum hull , you may think there not needed because you think your getting good performance. The key words there were think. The smart tabs would be perfect for the smaller boat. Thats what they were designed for and are even run on ribs and navy vessels. Simply put, they will make almost any boat perform better in alot of areas, the planing is just the start.

Power trim and tilt on a motor does very little compared to trim tabs of any sort, especially self adjusting tabs. The cost is what makes these great for smaller boats because they are most times under a $100 bucks for smaller boats. You probably would save that in fuel in one season by having smart tabs.

3 years on my boat and still over joyed with smart tabs.

 

[ol belly up]

Re: Smart Tabs?

OK, I just read through these posts and it sounds like the solution for my boat. 1992 Wellcraft Eclipse 196 with 4.3LX. No problems getting up on plane, but with a family of three there is always issues of weight distribution. If two sit on the passenger side then the boat leans left, and on drivers side it leans right. Will the Smart Tabs help with that problem? What kind of cost and difficulty level to install?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Smart Tabs?

they won't do much for a changing side to side weight distribution... you'd need the expensive helm controlled tabs for that

for price application and install go to Smart Tabs Trim Tabs

install is VERY easy tho.... if ur good, under an hour.

 

[QC]

Re: Smart Tabs?

Not if your passengers move around. You need helm adjustable tabs like Bennetts. I am a Smart Tab supporter, but this is one of the reasons that I prefer helm adjustable tabs. You can adjust for any weight shift, anywhere, anytime. Plus adjust for crosswinds, spray etc.

Helm adjustable tabs are considerably more money and harder to install, but please look into their operation and differences before you decide.

edit: simul posting smoke. but got distracted...

 

[JimMH]

Re: Smart Tabs?

I have a 2008 21Ft Larson plenty of power but was a little slow to plane for watersports. I put them on couple of years ago and added a four blade prop and it cut planing time in half and will stay on plane much slower for Wakeboarding. I would recommend them to anyone with the issues I was having. I also improved my fuel econonmy.