Re: Smart Tabs
 

Finally got mine installed. Really helps out on keeping on plane at a lower speed money well spent.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I thought I'd post up to mention that these can be installed outboard of the step in the transom, at least on a 1996 180 Shabah. I read through the entire thread and didn't see anyone who had done it. The instructions say 5" from the outside of the boat. I have mine 6.25". I only had to trim the corners of the brackets to do this. I also chose to add new tie down mounts to the trailer as they were just barely interfering with the standard tie down mounts. No interference with the ladder or the bunks of the trailer.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...psmkfnlt4b.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...pstpazxrgj.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...psn7ole9pb.jpg

Re: Smart Tabs
 

But can they fully retract so as to be nearly level with the bottom? Did you use the supplied angle guide to make sure the angle is correct when fully extended?

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Yes, they have enough travel to go beyond level with the bottom. The kit I installed was SX9510-60. There was no angle guide. The instructions are to let the tab sit on the stops and then mount the upper bracket so that it stays in that position at fully extended. I did it exactly like that without issue after trimming the brackets. I trimmed both the inside corner of the lower bracket and the upper corner of the upper bracket to keep it out of the radius on the transom. I had it on the water yesterday and it improved in all the areas expected. I did lose maybe 2mph top speed but the water was also rough. When I get a chance to run in calm water I may find I haven't lost any speed. If the tabs were unable to fully retract, I would expect to have problems at top speed. That didn't happen.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

New boat owner here I have a 1995 202 350 mag motor alpha drive and it porpoises awful and been reading through here and can’t decide if this is my fix. And if I order should I get 60 or 80 springs. Just seen it’s about a 50/50 on the 202. Also I have good hole shot just can’t trim it up at all without hop.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

The 60# actuators should work just fine for your boat. Just dont stick one of those dammed fins on your outdrive.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I have the same boat and run the 80# tabs. With the 350 motor I don't think you would have problems with either size. I personally think the 60# are a tad weak for that size of boat but just my opinion. Also, a couple of considerations I haven't seen discussed much are the plane speed and turning ability. I've watched my boat while boarding or skiing from behind and the turns really put the pressure on the tabs. The smaller springs may not stabilize as well in turns and I can run on plane at about 12 or 13 mph which is great for little ones learning to wakeboard or ski.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

What setting do you run your 80 at and have you seen a improvement in fuel mileage and is there a reason that my boat wants to hop real bad even in calm water??

Re: Smart Tabs
 

To be honest I wouldn't know where to begin on the fuel mileage. I've had these tabs on for a couple of years and I'm pulling skiiers and wakeboarders constantly at varying speeds so for me it would be almost impossible to measure. I've accepted the fact that I fill up the tank every weekend:) I run my actuators in the middle position (#3). I've thought about moving it but it seems to work well. I would start in the middle and then increase or decrease pressure once you've done your first sea trial.

As for the porpoising, there are a couple things you might consider. Without passengers in the front of the boat it could cause the boat to run lighter thus requiring less trim. Also, have you checked the accuracy of your trim gauge? How far are you trimming your outdrive? When running over 35mph I trim the outdrive to just above the first line (from the full down position) of the gauge. Anything past that and I notice the porpoising. Trim gauge accuracy can vary widely so you may want to check to make sure you're not trimming it out too far.

Either way, in my opinion the Smart Tabs should help your holeshot, plane speed and porpoising issues but it's still limited by how you distribute the weight in the boat and the position of your outdrive trim.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Never checked trim gauge accuracy and honestly haven’t paid attention to trim gauge. So guess I’ll go with the 80 and hope for the best. And most of the time it’s just my two boys up front ages 11 and 6 and 30lb anchor all the front has up there