[Firestone]

Per the instructions as far out as you can. My pic above shows where I put them due to ladder and how my boat sits on its trailer.

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[Paul3773]

I just bought a 1997 Z219 Talari with 350 mag engine. I did the questions and it said to get the 90 lb actuators or use the 80 lbs as an alternate ...
I have no idea if this is too much or too little ...
What do you think ... ?


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[Firestone]

I have the 80 lbs on my Z202 350 MAG. I am all the way on the lowest setting. Looking at switching to the 60 lbs after some feedback from one of the club members. The middle setting was crazy scary the way it plowed into the water at WOT.

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[GaryDoug]

Originally Posted by Paul3773

I just bought a 1997 Z219 Talari with 350 mag engine. I did the questions and it said to get the 90 lb actuators or use the 80 lbs as an alternate ...
I have no idea if this is too much or too little ...
What do you think ... ?

What version did you investigate? They make both plastic and stainless ones. I installed the 80 lb stainless ones and they are working just fine on my Z202 5.7EFI. I had very little bow digging and then only in the lower outdrive trim positions. I think there are significant differences between the plastic ones and the metal ones. The plastic ones are 10" deep (and 8" wide) and the metal ones are only 8" deep (and 10" wide). Also the plastic ones have three ribs that keep the tab from flexing and the metal ones do not.
Even though I had no problems except the loss of 2 MPH at top speed, I decided to decrease the angle of attack by moving the front mounting bolt to the higher hole and got back the lost 2 MPH. Only the metal tabs sets allow that change in angle. And anyway, I was only really interested in minimizing the idle speed steering wander and, even at the lower angle, that is accomplished.

[Firestone]

Interesting GaryDoug. I have the plastic ones and it sounds like the SS are a better product. I also gained 2 Mph of top speed verse hydro foil. Never tried both off.

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[GaryDoug]

If you remember, one of the main reasons I selected the SS ones is because I have to back the boat onto the lift slings and that could break the plastic ones if they get snagged.

[Paul3773]

Originally Posted by GaryDoug

What version did you investigate? They make both plastic and stainless ones. I installed the 80 lb stainless ones and they are working just fine on my Z202 5.7EFI. I had very little bow digging and then only in the lower outdrive trim positions. I think there are significant differences between the plastic ones and the metal ones. The plastic ones are 10" deep (and 8" wide) and the metal ones are only 8" deep (and 10" wide). Also the plastic ones have three ribs that keep the tab from flexing and the metal ones do not.

Even though I had no problems except the loss of 2 MPH at top speed, I decided to decrease the angle of attack by moving the front mounting bolt to the higher hole and got back the lost 2 MPH. Only the metal tabs sets allow that change in angle. And anyway, I was only really interested in minimizing the idle speed steering wander and, even at the lower angle, that is accomplished.

Thanks for the info . It indicated using 90 lb plastic or 80 lb SS as the first alternative . I have a feeling I may have indicated my boat being heavier than it actually is ... I figured around 4000 lbs with gear, 2 people and it being a small cudy ... hmmmm .... [emoji848]

I have a feeling that maybe 80 lb SS would be ... unless the 90 plastics have some flex ...


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[Grimm]

Here is the location that I installed my 60# Smart Tabs on my 1991 MX20C. Hope to try them out this weekend.

[Scott5007]

I have a 95 Talari 180 and I just installed the SX with 60lb struts and had to install further in than I would have liked due to the hull design. I didnt drive the boat before I installed them so don't have a before and after feeling. I took it out with middle setting and seemed like i couldn't adjust the trim up far enough. To get the spray further back on boat. I set it on the next setting in toward the boat and had lots of porpoising and bow would raise up. I know all boats are different but can someone help me dial them in? Any pics of same boat install? Started on number 3 then to 2
I love this boat and only want to make it better!!

[Firestone]

Originally Posted by Scott5007

I have a 95 Talari 180 and I just installed the SX with 60lb struts and had to install further in than I would have liked due to the hull design. I didnt drive the boat before I installed them so don't have a before and after feeling. I took it out with middle setting and seemed like i couldn't adjust the trim up far enough. To get the spray further back on boat. I set it on the next setting in toward the boat and had lots of porpoising and bow would raise up. I know all boats are different but can someone help me dial them in? Any pics of same boat install? Started on number 3 then to 2
I love this boat and only want to make it better!!

Scott, Driving with the smart tabs is a bit different. Mine are also more to the center then recommend. I find I have to trim up the engine to about level on anything over 30 mph or I porpoise as well. This is perfect for me because we mainly wake board and tube. It's a bit of trial and error. The middle setting was to strong for me as well and I have adjusted my driving to level it in the 2nd setting. You should be seeing significant decrease in hull rise at starting when the engine is trimmed down. Try starting with the engine at level for comparison. Hope this helps. I have a Z202 5.7L

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