[Dutch180SE]

Aloha Shawn, 5000 rpm at WOT is definitly way to much & will ruin your engine at the end.. You have to check out your prop and have to look to bring your rpm's down so you can use all your power to move and your prop is not just spin around doing nothing... I have a Shabah 180 with a 4bbl 4.3 Alpha 1 and with 4 adults in the boat (incl. me ) and 3 kids on a kitetube i plane with no sweat at all... Did you ever tried a increased size prop ?

[coolfish]

I have never tried a larger prop. I have never tried any other prop. I tried a whale tail and then removed it and put the smart tabs on. These all helped but still no good hole shot. I'm sure that I could not pull a water skier up as the boat is set up. I know a marina which will likely let me try some different props but don't know what to try. I suppose asking them would be a good start but to date they have all said that my prop is the correct one for my boat. They are the ones who recommended the hydrofoil.

Getting the boat onto plane quickly will make this boat perfect for me in every way.

Thanks
Shawn

[DougR]

Coolfish... Try a four blade prop same size and pitch that should drop your RPM's... And help with the holw "shot".

[toddandheidicarlson]

I have a 2001 Diablo 180 and installed smart tabs last weekend. Wow! What a big difference. They keep the bow down so I never lose sight of the water when starting out. Also, allows me to stay on plane at a lower speed, which is nice for tubing and cruising around the lake. Next thing is to see if they help trying to get a slalom skier out of the water. This wasn't possible before installing the smart tabs. They are a no brainer. Money well spent.

[coolfish]

What setting did you use when you installed the smart tabs. Mine are on the middle setting and they improve my ride greatly but could nto pull up a skier still. Using #60 smart tabs. Barchetta 182 with 4.3 2bbl and 3 blade 14 1/2 " aluminum prop with 19 pitch.
Shawn

[toddandheidicarlson]

I am also using the 60# actuators, and I have them set to the middle position. I have not tried pulling a skier up yet. I have a 3 blade aluminum prop on with a 19 pitch. I tried a 17 pitch, and the hole shot was better, but I thought I would invest in the smart tabs first. I'll let you know my results after I try pulling a slalom skier.

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by coolfish

What setting did you use when you installed the smart tabs. Mine are on the middle setting and they improve my ride greatly but could nto pull up a skier still. Using #60 smart tabs. Barchetta 182 with 4.3 2bbl and 3 blade 14 1/2 " aluminum prop with 19 pitch.
Shawn

When I put mine on, I had to weaken them a little as I wasn't getting as much bow rise as I wanted. It was plowing through the water.

It's hard to pull a 200 lb slalom from a deep water start unless the boat is lightly loaded, even with the tabs.

Last time I pulled my brother, we were struggling because I was dumping the throttle. I tried a smoother, more gradual acceleration and he was able to get up.

[oneilld]

I have a question on where to install my smart tabs. On the transom I have a very small area where the stern is recessed. Should I install there or further out where I have dealer installed fixed tabs.Sony 024.jpg

[wplaine]

It appears they would only fit where the existing ones are. Remember the further outboard the better. The main concern is enough height to mount the tab to the planing surface and the spring end to the same surface. But I really love mine!

[oneilld]

OK. Saturday. Smart tabs on. Set on the middle hole setting. Lots of boats on the water and so lots of chop. Hole shot better, but the porpoising is still a problem. Today I changed the setting to the stiffest setting (I have the #60s). Hole shot even better. Lots of boats, lots of chop, lots of porpoising, very frustrated! Maybe my expectations are too high and I have the wrong boat (RS-181). I need help. Do I need a new boat?