Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

[pokman]

Hey guys I have a 96 Four winns Horizon 170 with a 115 outbloard. When the family is in(4) and were loaded up with stuff I noticed porposing. It was a little windy but not that bad. The boat is stern heavy due to 3 batteries and items stored. So I want to go the trim/smart tab route. But not sure which ones to get-I did some searches but there is almost to much stuff out there- so I am asking you guys with semi-similiar boat what your using, how was the install and are you happy with them. Thanks

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

I have stainless steel Smart Tabs on my 17' bowrider and am very pleased with them. I just pour the coal to it and it goes right into a plane without any further adjustment required. Even better, my slow speed wander is gone.

Installation was easy. They've got videos on their website to help you get an idea of how to tackle it and what to expect.
http://www.nauticusinc.com/smart_tabs.htm

You can order them right here on iboats from the marine shop:
http://www.iboats.com/Nauticus-Smart-Tabs/dm/*******.957069383--**********.638682907--view_id.39283

 

[wink21]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

I just had my first weekend on the water with the SS Smart Tabs on an 18ft Chaparral BR. These tabs made an incredible difference to getting on a plane and reducing porpoising. Would highly recommend them.

 

[Bartine]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

Put pictures up and let me know how they work. I've got basically the same boat.

 

[pokman]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

I am just going to go the composite route with these due to $$$$. According to Nautica I should go with the 60 lb tabs-just want to make sure this is correct and that is what you guys went with. Thanks

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

I prefer trim tabs over smart tabs because I am smarter than the tabs. I can adjust as I see fit, and more important, adjust the trim laterally (raise or lower a side).
Porpoising you can control with your motor's trim.

 

[pokman]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

Ordered my smart tabs sx series. I went with the 60 lb actuator, hopefully these work-I did call nautica and they will swap the 60's with the 40's if I want. Bartine I will post some pics when I am done. Bartine- what motor do you have on your boat?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

I prefer trim tabs over smart tabs because I am smarter than the tabs. I can adjust as I see fit, and more important, adjust the trim laterally (raise or lower a side).
Porpoising you can control with your motor's trim.

The function differently and despite the similarity in looks, they will have a different affect on a boat. Smart tabs act like shock absorbers, they are always moving depending on loading and waves. Yes, you can't dynamically adjust laterally, although if you do have a boat that is always heavier on one side you can put more pressure on that smart tab using different mounting holes.

There is also the issue of cost and mounting room. Smart tabs are obviously much cheaper and take up less space/weight.

 

[nlain]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

They do everything advertised, I have the SS version, yes I would use them again for another boat, they work great.

 

[Bartine]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

Ordered my smart tabs sx series. I went with the 60 lb actuator, hopefully these work-I did call nautica and they will swap the 60's with the 40's if I want. Bartine I will post some pics when I am done. Bartine- what motor do you have on your boat?

Mines really a 1995 170 Freedom, but I believe it's the same hull as yours, just a different name. I think the Freedom name went away in 1996 and they just called them Horizons. I've got a 135 Optimax hanging on the back. On an old boat, I had Smart Tabs and I didn't like them, but I took them off when I sold the boat and kept them. I've thought about putting them on my Four Winns, but I am unsure were I would mount them on the boat because of the step in the hull and the backward angle on the sides, and the sides of the transome with the angle don't have wood backing them, its just fiberglass as far as i can tell. I also didn't want to drill holes in the back either. I've got a foil on the motor now instead, but it really didn't make much difference than without. I've got a small porpoise problem at mid throttle speeds if I give it any trim at all that I've been trying to take care of. The foil works help with this a little, but I'm still not sure of having it on the motor.

If you like the Smart Tabs on yours I might go ahead and give mine a try in the future.

 

[GMIslander]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

Smart tabs SX easy to install, compact

adjustable in many ways

took the fins off

 

[pokman]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

Barine-
What kind of speed do you get with that motor. I am thinking of putting a something bigger on next year, I would like to go 150 but of course the boat is rated up to only 140. I have heard good things about the 135 opti.

 

[tkrrox]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

how do these work with outboards...the same...i have a 18' sea ray with 135 merc on it i would like to try them on.

 

[Bartine]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

Barine-
What kind of speed do you get with that motor. I am thinking of putting a something bigger on next year, I would like to go 150 but of course the boat is rated up to only 140. I have heard good things about the 135 opti.

Right now with a 19" Laser 2 I'm getting around 48-49 mph on gps with a full tank of gas, 2 adults, 2 kids, a 100lbs golden retriever, 3 batteries and a 24volt minn kota trolling motor on the front. I mounted the motor on the center hole. I might be able to push it over 50 with a different prop and less weight, but this one is running around 8% slip with a great hole shot.

 

[nlain]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

how do these work with outboards...the same...i have a 18' sea ray with 135 merc on it i would like to try them on.

They will work great with an outboard engine, you may use a stronger cylinder with the OB than with the I/O due to weight distribution. I/O partially inside the boat and OB is all outside the boat making it more stern heavy than with the I/O.

 

[Bartine]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

Ordered my smart tabs sx series. I went with the 60 lb actuator, hopefully these work-I did call nautica and they will swap the 60's with the 40's if I want. Bartine I will post some pics when I am done. Bartine- what motor do you have on your boat?

So did you get the tabs and install them yet?

 

[riptide09]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

Smart tabs SX easy to install, compact

I am looking at the pictures of your installation. How do strap the transom to the trailer? It looks like the tabs would be in the way. That is the problem I am facing. If I install tabs, smart or trim, I would need to figure out a different way of strapping my transom to the trailer.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

Power trim tabs are the way to go in MHO. thats just Me.
I like being able to be in charge of My boats performance. Never had smart tabs, so I guess I No nothing about them.

 

[nlain]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

You may have to weld new tie down brackets to the trailer, his may connect to the outside of the tabs, mine does, I did not have to do any mods to my trailer. I have seen trailers where the tie downs were moved to the inside, others to the outside, the tie downs will work fine either way.

 

[dg512055]

Re: Trim Tabs/Smart Tabs What to get?

I put Smart Tabs SX on my boat last year. It is by far the best money spent. I agree with the adjustability of regular trim tabs, but the smart tabs are much cheaper, much easier to install, and there is no need to fiddle with them under way. One less thing to pay attention to. I will change the hole locations to match the anticipated load on any given day. They do all that is advertised, less bow rise, faster planing, and more top speed. The best part is I found is that my normal cruising speed at 3000 RPM picked up 3 to 4 mph. I can also stay on plane at a lower speed when pulling kids on a tube. All these benefits, and you don't even know they are there. I also beach on the MS river all the time and have never had any problems with them.