Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

[Eight Oh]

I just bought a 08 key west 186 dc w/115 4 st. Is it worth my while to put tabs on this boat or not ( Smart or Hyd). Most of the use will be in the NJ bays with some off shore ( close to shore) The boat will be used for both fishing and water sking.
Thanks

 

[rndn]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

Tabs will benefit almost any boat. As far as smart tabs or hydraulic, it's preference. If you want to be able to control the amount of downforce or be able to adjust the left or right tilt because of an uneven weight then go with hydraulics.

 

[rndn]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

There are many posts on this topic, simply do a search under Trim Tabs or Smart tabs or both. You will have more to read than you want. Regardless of your choice, trim tabs are the single best thing you can add to your boat. They will improve nearly every aspect of your boat performance, from fuel economy to top speed and everything in between.

 

[QC]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

What he said ^^^^

 

[Wassachu]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

I purchased Bennett M120 Sport Tabs for my 22 ft boat. They really made a difference. I needed them to level my boat out because I have a kicker, two batteries and me on one side of the boat and my wife on the other. She's too small to match the weight. Bennett customer service is great. The actuators were too long for my boat, they sent me parts to make them shorter at no charge. The pump had to be located further forward then the length of tubing, they sent me longer tubing at no charge. I purchased the optional indicator so I could tell what position the trim tabs were in. They sent me the parts to match my shorter actuators, no charge if I returned the parts I replaced. They were easy to install, directions were really good and the directions are also on their web site.
I'd do it again in a minute if I had to.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

Eight, On my 150HP outboard powered 21 DC, the front is heavy enough where trim tabs would provide little or no benefit. She pops up on plane quickly and I actually would like to carry the bow more for better cruising speed.

Now on my 19' SeaRay I/O, trim tabs were very useful. That boat was tail heavy, and would squat and fall off plane immediately upon cutting power. when I had it in the ocean, I usually ran tabs full down, throttle cut back as much as possible and still stay on plane.

IMHO - I think the choice to install tabs or not depends on the benefit gained, vs the cost.

 

[Jarhead44]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

I think i'm sold on the smart tabs for my 19 Smokercraft. I have a 150 Opti on the back and the stern digs in quite a bit at slower speeds. My dealer suggested a foil but i like the tabs better. But I am a little nervous about drilling into the transom

 

[blouderback]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

From the research I did on this subject, I think adjustable tabs would do you better than Smart Tabs, based on your coastal use. In rough water, going in and out of inlets and such, you want to be able to control the attitude of your boat manually. Smart Tabs will "automatically" keep the bow down, and this may not be want you want in this kind of water.

If you said you were going to use the boat in calmer lakes and rivers, then I would go with Smart Tabs.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

Real nice boat you've got there Jarhead44.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

Blouderback;

You have a slight misconception about the Smart Tabs. They automatically Adjust to the conditions, NOT "automatically keep the bow down". That would cause serious handling issues. Your trim on the motor will continue to allow bow angle adjustments. They constantly adjust to the water conditions and pressure, trying to maintain proper balance.

I am not attempting to start a debate just trying to explain how they work, and that isn't easy. Until you use them you don't understand the benefits of an active system, and then trying to explain it is a whole new problem.

 

[blouderback]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

Thanks for clarifying, John. I just think that it would be better to manually adjust the tabs to keep the bow UP in rough conditions, rather than trimming the drive up. I'd rather have my prop down and grabbing as much water as possible when those 4 footers come at me...

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

If you're willing to pony up $500-$800 then you can consider the hydraulic or electric trim tabs. That's if you do the install yourself.
If that's above budget, just consider the smart tabs.


This is always an ongoing debate: smart vs adjustable - I'd say that assuming both are within budget, try and get a ride on a boat with one form of tabs vs the other. It's likely that the manually adjustable (Lenco / Bennett) tabs will be more noticeable, simply because you can change their position.

I knew I liked the adjustable tabs. I wasn't willing to spend the bucks associated with them, so I waited and found a used set. I ended up replacing the switch ($80) and everything else tested fine. I think I spent about $250 considering everything - sealant, stainless screws, new wiring harness, and switch. On my boat, they complete eliminate purposing and give me the ability to retrim the boat side-to-side adjusting for load... They're also another item to maintain and another thing that might fail..

 

[Bamboo]

Re: Trim Tabs Or Smart tabs

I also have a Key West 186dc and want to put some smart tabs on it, but the swim platform might be a problem. I contacted John a while ago and he suggested I use ST1290 tabs and contact him to discuss the options before I buy/install. Unfortunately, I had to put the tabs on hold until May (severed a tendon and won't be able to use boat until then). Attached is a pic of my transom. Not sure exactly what the best solution is, but I'm looking forward to getting the smart tabs installed.