SmartTabs, again

wgander

Cadet
Joined
Mar 26, 2004
Messages
28
How versatile are SmartTabs, since they're not readily adjustable?<br />I've been happy using a hydrofoil: gets me on plane and keeps me there at the slower wakeboarding speeds my grandchildren like. I also do a lot of slow cruising at less than plane speed, and often add just enough power to get the bow to come up a bit to avoid water over the bow when crossing wakes. On smooth water at higher speeds, I trim up to stay on plane, so the bow doesn't dig in. Some of my crew are fat bodies - when they change seats, the boat lists.<br />Would SmartTabs work under these different conditions?
 

RatFish

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 29, 2003
Messages
647
Re: SmartTabs, again

Smart Tabs are constantly "automatically" adjusting. Sounds to me like they would work well in your situation.
 

Catchem

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2004
Messages
196
Re: SmartTabs, again

Hey Quantum you know he is.Hang in there Bill the answers to your Questions are on the way.
 

reference123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 18, 2004
Messages
118
Re: SmartTabs, again

Bill, most or our time is spent pulling kids on a 3 person tube. Prior to using the smart tabs the bow would be pretty high and it was difficult to maintain a constant speed as the boat would plane around 20 and jump up to 25.<br /><br />After installing the smart tabs, bow rise is almost gone. It is almost like there is not a "hole" anymore. Pulling the tube went from a chore to really easy. I can easily maintain a speed as low as 15 with no problem.<br /><br />Also, our 3 year old did not like going out in our boat (an 18 foot stern drive) due to the porpoising and chine walking. The first time out after installing the smart tabs was a very different experience. She did not want to leave the lake even after spending more than twice as long on the lake than ever before. <br /><br />The boats ride now compares to that of much larger boats in regards to how smooth it is.<br /><br />The smart tabs have been the best performance accessory we have invested in to date.
 

Tufan

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 6, 2003
Messages
202
Re: SmartTabs, again

you dont belive in it, stay with the hydrofoil man! keep your money in your pocket.
 

rnsi

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 11, 2004
Messages
104
Re: SmartTabs, again

Had a hydrofoil for a couple of years. Since I got my smart tabs, I'll never use another foil again.
 

Capt. T

Seaman
Joined
May 21, 2003
Messages
62
Re: SmartTabs, again

Bill,<br /><br />If you do a search of the forums for Smart Tabs / SmartTabs you will find more information than you will want to read or print out. <br /><br />I was all set to put them on my boat (see sig) until the engine blew upon me this spring. I am completely convinced that they are a much better solution than hydrofoils, particularly for I/O drives. I will not own a runabout or bowrider without them.
 

BillP

Captain
Joined
Aug 10, 2002
Messages
3,290
Re: SmartTabs, again

Don't rely on tabs to trim your bow up...they don't. As you already know, trimming the motor with a foil can lower the transom and raise the bow at lower speeds. If you want instant and variable trimming in combination with using your motor trim go for cockpit adjustable tabs.
 

Jdeagro

iboats.com Partner
Joined
Jul 30, 2003
Messages
1,682
Re: SmartTabs, again

GhostRider;<br /><br />Why don't you believe it - Ever Tried them?
 

LubeDude

Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
6,945
Re: SmartTabs, again

Never heard "ONE" negative report on the Smart Tabs after people tried them, that must mean something!<br /><br />Smart Tabs, ya gotta love em!
 

Catchem

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2004
Messages
196
Re: SmartTabs, again

Ghostrider23,you know something about smart tabs that we don't?like Lubedude says never heard of any negative reports on them.I have a foil on my 20'but come this spring it will be gone and smart tabs will be on.I have done a lot of reading up on this topic and have yet to find one negative remark.If you have facts to the negative side I for one would love to know what it is before I purchase some.
 

Snowdrggn

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 16, 2004
Messages
173
Re: SmartTabs, again

I hate my smart tabs!! After installing them I don't get to look straight up when I hit the throttle on my inflatable any more.<br /><br /> Just kidding, I love them!<br />This was the only bad thing I could think of though.........
 

Philip Stone

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 30, 2004
Messages
32
Re: SmartTabs, again

I had a Doel Fin hydro foil and it was a joke. Packaging said it would reduce rooster tails. Never had a rooster tail then I put the fin on and I did! And it did little for my trim. Tabs on the other hand work great.
 

JasonB

Lieutenant
Joined
Feb 10, 2003
Messages
1,455
Re: SmartTabs, again

I like both the foil and the tabs on differnt boats. On my 15; tri-hull witha n 85hp, the foil is a necessity. Tabs would probably work better, but I can't justify the price since I had the foil before I knew about the tabs.<br /><br />On the other hand, the foil made my 19', deep V, v8 powered bowrider a nightmare to run. I pulled it off after the first trip out. Installed SmartTabs a year later and love them.
 

Jdeagro

iboats.com Partner
Joined
Jul 30, 2003
Messages
1,682
Re: SmartTabs, again

If anyone would like to read our booklet on "Understanding Boat Balance & Performance" it is now posted on our website. Under links!<br /><br />You comments would be appreciated.
 

ae708

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 17, 2002
Messages
591
Re: SmartTabs, again

nautiJohn.. how come I don't see "links" on your website? Am I blind or what?
 

Jdeagro

iboats.com Partner
Joined
Jul 30, 2003
Messages
1,682
Re: SmartTabs, again

ae708;<br />Here is the url <br /><br /> http://nauticusinc.com/menu_1024.html <br /><br /><br />when you get this page up look to the left hand colunm near the bottom under the word "links" and it will say understanding boat balance and performance. click on this link. If you do not have a recent addition of acrobat reader there is an icon that will take you directly to the adobe site where you can down load the latest edition fro free. You will then be able to print out the booklet in color. It is about 15 pages.
 

ae708

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 17, 2002
Messages
591
Re: SmartTabs, again

Ok thanks.. I see it there but didn't see it on whatever other page I was on before... thanks again.
 
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