Re: Smart Tabs
 

Nauticus makes the smart tabs. Your probably going to want to run the SX9510-80 series. Go here SMART TABS raise your performance expectations. and look em over.
They are awesome.:yes_grin: You won't beat the performance for the buck anywhere else!
Larry

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I have the 60 series. I think the 80 may be to much for our 180 diablos. The 3.0 is the 4 cylinder, our boats probably look identical since mine is an 01 as well. If you have a prestige trailer like mine, you will need to cut the center bunks back about 3+ inches so the tabs clear when loading.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Your Diablo will be perfect for the Smart Tabs SX - 60lb actuators (SX9510-60). The 80lb arms are too stiff for your boat/motor combo. Here's a link to the correct model at Iboats.com

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Geee my badd:eek_animated::eek_animated:
Either way , Nauticus will switch out the struts if one or the other is needed.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Nauticus provided excellent customer service when i broke one of my struts. They rushed 2 replacement units complete with an extra set of pins & i was back in business the following weekend. :wink_thumbup:

Re: Smart Tabs
 

You hit that on the head Mikey!! They helped me out when my niece stepped on the tab and broke the strut rod from the mount. Plus they traded my 60lb struts for 80s when I did a V8 repower on a boat that I wasn't sure which ones to run..
A1 in my book!!

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Thanks guys,
Very helpfull info. I will be buying the smart tabs, got to them on before boating season gets here. I will let you know what I think.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I put a set of smart tabs on my 16 foot doral tri hull a few years ago.
The boat had a major problem with porpoiesing with varied loads. I was constantly playing with the trim
The customer service I recieved from the company was top notch and the tabs completely fixed the problem.
My Davanti has levelers or I'd be putting smart tabs on it.
I've had 9 adults in the Davanti and because of the seating there is always more load on the port side. I'm always playing with the levelers to compensate and it keeps you on your toes in big waves. Not that I'm complaining, this boat handles 3 foot swells with some hull pounding hits but she is pretty solid.
I'd be interested to see how smart tabs would deal with this.
Anyone have experience with this scenario?

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I dont think Smart Tabs are designed to level out off centre loads in your boat but there's nothing stopping someone from setting one side slightly stiffer than the other which might slightly help the situation. I dont suspect though that they would be an improvement on your levelers.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I have adjusted the port side down further to offset a load. Usually my wife and kids sit on that side of the boat.. and it's just me on the starboard side. I don't like anyone sitting in front of me in the Bow, and no one sits behind me because I usually have the cooler behind my seat. It seemed to work fine and leveled the boat out fairly well, but if I remember it also pulled the boat slightly to the left? but i can't remember. Hopefully the weather gets nice enough so I can test it and see lol.

Nick

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I have a 1994 Shabah Z212. I have changed from a 3 blade 21p ss to a 4 blade 22p ss and helped the handling a ton but im trying to use my trim more at low speeds. If I run 35 mph or more I can trim all the way out of the water without bouncing but under that I can just touch my trim and it starts bouncing. I am thinking about smart tabs but It sure looks like theres not enough room. I know my buddy has a 99 Z212 and it has a different transom design than mine. Does anyone have a pick of an older Z212 with them on it and info on the tabs for this particular boat. I lost a little speed with the extra blade and hate to lose more but would sacrifice a little to be able to trim at slower speeds I think it would help my fuel consumption at lower speeds to get some boat out of the water.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

We've had our 180 Shabah for going on 4 years now. It came with a hydrofoil installed on the cavitation plate from the previous owner. I'm reluctant to install smart tabs for two reasons. Looking at their design, there has to be lots of pounding force transmitted through the spring strut to it's upper mounting bracket. The upper mounting bracket is held in with two small screws drilled into the hull. Doesn't all this stress and continuous pounding cause the screws/screw holes to loosen/deform/crack? Or is this a non-issue?

Secondly, how do I plug the holes left in the cavitation plate after I've removed the hydrofoil? Thanks for any help/advice.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

It's a non-issue. I've had mine installed on the same boat as yours for 4yrs now w/out any such problems. When you drill for the screws and mount the plates you use 3m 5200 sealant. Nothing will move once that stuff is applied.

And get rid of that damned hydrofoil & install a set of Smart Tabs! Fill the holes in the cavitation plate with liquid aluminum filler so that no one knows you had a hydrofoil. :)

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I agree with Mikey .

If you pull up on the tabs after you install them, you'll realize that the force is not much at all.

You would have much more force on a hydraulic or electric tab because there's nothing to give.

It's like adding a suspension system to your boat. It really smooths out the ride.

Paul

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Another thumbs up for the Smart Tabs! I don't have them on this boat yet , but I had them on my 17' VIP for 3yrs with no issues. The only time I had a prob is when one of the kids decided to use one as a boarding step and stripped out the end link.
I was running a 19p 3 blade aluminum on that boat and the tabs improved the holeshot and cornering so much I never switched out the prop.
They are going on my Mariah as soon as the wife gives me my allowance!! :) LOL

Larry

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Question for mikeyt--Ok, I think I'm going to order some 60lb sx tabs like yours. In looking at your original photos, you installed the port side tab with the upper bracket mounted on a different surface in relation to the bottom. You later said you had to re-drill to move the bracket. What was your thinking here, and why did you originally mount it that way? Just want to know, since I don't want to make any mistakes.

Thanks,

Mark

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I just bought the 60 lb smart tabs as well. I have not installed yet , so I'm curious as well?

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Screwed up. :(

Re: Smart Tabs
 

If anybody wants the retractable upper mount, let me know. I ended up not using them and they are just laying around.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Has anyone installed smart tabs on a Shabah 250?

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Is that the slotted bracket or something different ?

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I would want adjustable electric or hydraulics tabs on a 25 footer.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Yep, PR500 or something like that. It's the upper bracket with a lever that you flip either up or down to raise or lower the tabs for beaching or for the trailer.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

can you post a picture of them ?

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Re: Smart Tabs
 

what keeps it in the UP position ? Their gif file shows it in both positions, but not how it gets to each from the other.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

It is a friction fit when they are up or down. The lever fits in the dedent. BTW , they work awesome for trolling when fishing too. In the down position that is :)

Larry

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Another question for MIKEYT. Did the trailer bunks cause any issues when installing the tabs? On my trailer, the bunks project out beyond the end of the boat hull, right where I want to mount the tabs. Not very far, just about an inch or so.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

No issues with the trailer bunks & mine stick out about 2".

Re: Smart Tabs
 

96' Shabah install: 80lb actuators

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Looks great John! Nice work.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I appreciate it! It's funny how much I've realized my dislike for the winter months since becoming a Mariah owner. Lol

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Boy..............That ain't no Sh--!!
I always liked my ski doos and dirt bikes , but there ain't nothin' like being on the lake in a nice boat! :)

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Just a heads up on a deal I found....iboats.com has the sx smart tabs on sale for $104 and there's also a $10 shell rebate deal on them also. I just ordered mine. :slide_beer:

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Nice deal!! Never seen em that low:yes_grin:

Smart Tabs
 

here is a pic of mine on a 96 shabah 20'
i think they are 80# if i remember right
i put these on last summer and they are an excellant add

Re: Smart Tabs
 

just added the smart tabs on my Z182, by far the best money i have spent on the boat!

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Love my "Smart Tabs" too.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I don't see any that will work with my z210 with a 7.4 ....I think shes too heav

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I believe that Oregondunes has a set on his 302. They make other versions (heavier ss units) than the SX version that works on our smaller boats. Your only other real option is powered Lenco's or Bennetts and they will lighten the load in your wallet too.