1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

Has has anyone installed smart tabs SX on a 1996 Mariah 180? I'm wondering if they'll fit correctly? And if anybody has any pictures of them installed?

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

I am sure someone has. They made a huge difference on my Z202. Do a search and you will find lots of conversations on smart tabs

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Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

I read at another post that on the smaller Mariah's you got to use the stainless ones the Plastics sx ones won't fit due to the radius on the upper part of the transom? I'm just looking for a yes or a no or a yes with pictures on How they mounted them.

7/27/17 update

The Smart Tabs - SX with 60lbs actuators does fit correctly on 1996 180 shabah and work as advertised on there web site. Very happy with the changes they made to the all around handling of the boat, night and day difference!

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

If I had to do it again I would have used the stainless. Here is mine on a Z202https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5bc6c4cb1f.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...433edca2f7.jpg

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Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

I have a 2001 180 Diablo. Not sure how similar of different the hull may be but the plastic SX tabs fit fine. Install looks just like the pictures shown above. If you need some measurements I'd be happy to make them. This location is more inboard than ideal but it works remarkably well. IIRC I have the 60lb spring and it is set on the second notch from the transom. Slightly softer than middle notch. There is very little bow rise and it gets up on plane quickly and will maintain plane down to about 17-18 mph with the little 3.0 liter. It also really helped with maintaining line at low speed and eliminates most of the bouncing when I trim the motor up at speed. It made no noticeable difference in top speed, not that my boat is very fast at all :)

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

yeah some measurements would be cool. like from bottom of boat to top of shock mount and from bottom of boat to top mount screw holes.

I also would like to hear from some one with same type of boat out of same mold.

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

pole trick, Look closely at this picture with the Smart tabs on my Diablo. See if your hull looks a lot like this from astern. I will try to remember to measure up from the bottom edge to where the top of the hinge for the shock is mounted and add that for you. But if it look similar it is probably nearly the same hull in your 18 as mine made a few years later.

http://www.mariahownersclub.com/foru...g-img_3810.jpg

I think there may have been room further outboard and under the ladder but I was reluctant and thought they might also be more vulnerable. I'd seen posts where several others place them the same way shown also. So I am just a copycat.

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

yes yours does look very similar, just I never seen another Mariah other then mine to look at. Just wanted to make sure they will fit before I order them. yes I would like the measurements. thanks for the info

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

I looked a the boat this morning, something you don't really see in the picture is that the more outboard area (under the ladder) has a lot of curvature as it transitions to horizontal from vertical. So doesn't seem possible to mount there and not sure there is enough room.

If I measure where the tab is located up from the bottom of the transom to the top of the shock mount I get about 10". Difficult to be precise with the tab in place but the vertical space available is about 11". That section is very flat until you reach that bending curve on the transition.

The tabs I used are the SX9510-60. Width at the mounting hinge is right about 9" and the tab only a little wider but not the 9.5" implied. Mine is about a 1" inboard from the curved change in the transom. So if you measure over from that spot about 5.5-6" and measure up at a right angle about 10-10.5" and you still have flat transom... You are OK.

Tucked in back there is a well protected area where it is unlikely anyone will use the tab as a step to climb into the boat. You might also make sure your bunk boards won't hit them when on the trailer.

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

Had same questions with my 94 z212. When you go to install it becomes self evident.

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Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

For reference.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9ddc90c3e6.jpg

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Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

Looking good Frank. How is that high 5 working for you?

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Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

Using it for ballast at the moment, great for pulling but too low for efficient cruising

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Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

Thanks the measurements and info. I going to measure it up tomorrow and if numbers look right order up a set set smart tabs sx.

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

Call them! The owner answered my call and he was very helpful.
Found good price at Hodges Marine.
Huge improvement

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Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

well I ordered the smart tabs sx with the 60lbs Actuators. To put them on took about 40 minutes. Set up in number 3 hole, haven't test any other settings. It gets on plane about half the time and the bow never gets high enough that I can't see in front of me when planning off. So far are very impressed with them. Zero ill handling effects all been positive changes. My friend said it rides like a completely different and a better boat. I Just went river running only so far. I'll add some pictures of rear end of them installed on 1996 180 Shabah. Best $125.00 I spent so far on improvements to a boat.

I been testing props for last couple of weeks trying to get 3 good props dialed in. One for serious sking and tubing or full load with cooler unknown 17 pitch stainless with lots of cup. Got one for 2 or 3 people cursing\top end 23 pitch lasar 2. Looking at testing a 4 blade mercury aluminium 20 pitch for everyday use.

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

I thinking on putting my 23 lasar 2 back on and see if any changes to rpm or mph with tabs installed.. I was testing a unknown very old n.o.s Michigan wheel 19 pitch yesterday with the new tabs on first run with them and it was over reving at w.o.t. I normally only run mercury props....my cousin marina had this n.o.s 19 no cup 3 blade aluminum in there back room for years...told me to try it. Even my friend asked What s up with that prop...Not for my application....lol

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

Here is tabs installed:wink_thumbup:
Tried to rotate pic couldn't from my phone...?

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

We tried to tell you that :wink_thumbup: Some here were probably prepared to hunt you down if you put a foil back on.

I thought about the white version and wondered how it would look but decided black to match the motor. With the white ones it's sort of shouting at you to clean the hull now :yes_grin:

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

Sorry, it might have been someone else who was thinking about a foil on the lower unit. We send the dogs after them if they do that.

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

Defiantly not me on the whale tail! Not a fan or beliver of those..lol. :shakehead:

The tail may keep my gal from walking in to the lower unit and prop while on sand bar...lol.....after the 5th time.....I would of thought she knew it was still in same spot as last time she hit it..5min ago....lol

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

That is as clean as it gets prev owner applied anti foul bottom paint....it is all messed up from water line down.....was in wet docks during last ownership..I not cleaning that crap off just going to run it as is and enjoy it...

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

I wondered why it looked the way it did and thought how does it get like that but now I see the paint. The out drive appeared really clean so it puzzled me and I guess I've never seen bottom paint on a smaller runabout. Also have no idea what would be involved to bring it back nor would I want to attempt to remove it unless it was as simple as a pressure washer. I would just enjoy it too.

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

I removed some of the paint where tabs installed to silicone to gel coat. They scored the whole bottom up to water line gel coat with about 60 grit sand paper to get paint to adhere....there no easy or cheap fix for it. If removed the bottom paint the gel coat is all scored and would have to be sanded to get marks out then buffed out....anti foul paint is a bad idea unless really needed for how your keep your boat stored.

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

My brother and I just purchased the boat this spring with a bad motor it had water in the oil and they ran it until the bearing spun and wrecked the crank and rods. We had it rebuilt with good used crank, rods and pistons from different cracked frozen engine. The boat and drive look to be low hours and well cared for. Just they let boat fill with rain water and got in to engine and wrecked it. Do to paint bottom and bad engine we bought it for scrap price....I really happy with boat now that we installed smart tabs...hated it before had to many bad habits while driving...smart tabs so far cured them...I used to race boats and I hate bad driving boats that bounce and hop and plane hard...drive goofy. when I point a boat straight I expect it to come to nice plane and hang there no bouncin just do what good boats do..

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

Got about 25 hours of run time with smart tabs. Really like them. Been in number 3 hole. Just move to number 2 hole not tried it yet. Nose seem a little bit heavy in 3 hole so seeing what 2 hole does.

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

Picked back up the two miles an hour I lost by putting the smart tabs on by going to the number two Hole. All the improvements I gained with the smart tabs stayed. just the speed went back to where it was before the tabs. I never was worried about the loss of speed due to the great improvements driving wise from the Smart Tabs, but the boat just felt nose-heavy even at full trim, so went to number two hole and speeds back to where it should be and all improvements still there. Very happy with them.

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

I hadn't seen your post before I installed mine last Friday but I decided to try in hole 2 to start. Verry happy that the speed is still there. low speed wander is almost totally gone. I was thinking of trying number 3 but I dont think I will bother.

Re: 1996 Shabah 180 smart tabs SX
 

Been a while since last posted, water is still hard and cold in middle of WI :shakehead: getting itchy for a run in the boat....:wink_thumbup:

My observations of the smart tabs install from last year. Best $125.00 I spent on boat improvements ever!!! people that rode in the boat before and after give them a thumbs up. totally changed the boat ride!

I usually do a lot of narrow river running and use number 2 hole it seems to be best setting for that type of water and traffic and calmer days on lakes on chain.

If going out knowing the wind will be up, also when on bigger lakes, or lots of boats traffic number 3 gives best rough water ride. Maybe even number 4 if really bumpy water, but ever tried it.

The higher the number the harder they keep the nose down and more top end speed you scrub off. I am willing sacrifice little bit of speed for good ride on a rough day.

We keep the boat on trailer when not in use ,so to change holes takes only about 5 to 8 min on trailer.

4.3 2 barrel alpha drive

Number 2 or 3 hole on tabs and 20 pitch Merc aluminum 4 blade is best all around ride and handling for normal use, turns on a dime never blows out

Number 2 hole with Merc stainless 3 blade 23 pitch laser 2 prop, all vents open is best top end go fast setup (1 or 2 person and cooler of 36 beers and ice)!!! Runs good never blows out if correctly trimmed down in extreme hard corner. Light load only , prop is too big if more then 3 people in boat with full cooler!!!:D 21 or 22 pitch might be perfect here not found one to test!

53w