Re: Smart Tabs
 

I got the "dumb versions!" They are Bennett's. So what are so smart about these? Do they auto deploy or something? :)


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Re: Smart Tabs
 

I really like mine so far. Its almost an instant plane. One thing these won't do, is help it plane fast when you leave the plug out. My first time doing that last Saturday. The old nose points skyward for sure. Nothing like trying to sink your own boat. :p

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Re: Smart Tabs
 

The "Smart Tabs" stay deployed but as load builds up on them they move based on the spring strength inside the unit. They aren't perfect (cuz you can't control them from your console) but given the price difference they do seem to work quite well in most applications and are a relatively cheap fix for planing problems.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Awww. Thanks Mikey for clearing that up. I always wondered why they were smart!


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Re: Smart Tabs
 

That's not a joke!
I spoke with Oregon about his smart tabs. I recall he has a dual gas strut model. He is only running one strut per tab because with two per tab it had too much down force. He ran them on a 302, I'd feel confident running a set on my Shabah 250...


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Re: Smart Tabs
 

It’s not just about getting out of the hole either, I’ve found mine are a God sent in the chop.
There are great for keeping the boat on the level and stopping the bow leaping skywards every wave.

Just look at my avatar and you can see how straight my boat flies

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Thanks for the pic...

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I put the smart tabs on this last week as well as changing to a 19 pitch prop from a 22 pitch and it is a totally different boat! The tabs get it up on plane almost instantly with a nice easy acceleration, before with just the 3 of us I would have to floor it in order to get it up on plane and in rough water the bow would really bounce and the boat would porpoise. I am very impressed with them, for the price the results were amazing!

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Another happy boater!
Gotta love them things!!:yes_grin:

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Good move on the prop change as well!

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Good day!
Just read all the posts here about Smart Tabs... Got sick of electric powered tabs on mine Mariah Shabah 218 2001 that were installed when I bought it.
Last year end wanted to buy Nauticus Smart Tabs SX, but was unsure if they are going to fit. According to the chart (http://www.nauticusinc.com/pdf/smart...dimensions.pdf) they don't (height 10.5 inch appears too much), but reading posts here and watching pictures starting to think I have a chance.
So could anyone help me please with an advice whether it is possible to install Nauticus Smart Tabs SX on my boat? Transom looks similar to this one pictured http://www.mariahownersclub.com/foru...-photo-10-.jpg
Thanks in advance!
p.s. sorry for my english

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Looking at all the posts, it seems I should get the composite w/60lb actuators for my 99 202 w/ 5.7l. I want to stay on plane but I still want to cut it sharp when turning around to pup a skier. any thoughts? I figured this setup would give me the benefits without being overbearing or intrusive to other aspects of the boats performance. Seems like everyone on here with a similar boat has gone to 60lb cylinders in a middle position... suggestions welcome!

Re: Smart Tabs
 

There are hundreds of threads and posts relating to your issue. Even discussions on your exact same boat.
Your boat will turn way faster with the Smart Tabs than without! :) You'll just turn flat instead of digging a hole in the water.
Performance will only increase , as long as you set them up properly.

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I thought digging the hole is what made it cut around wick and sharply. I read the posts about having to turn slower and wider with the tabs?? Which one is the truth?

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Used em for over 6 yrs now with no turning issues. Can't see why you would have to extend the turning radius with them.
I'm very happy with mine as is 99.9% of the people who install them.
I guess nothing is perfect , but I'll keep mine.:yes_grin:

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Mine turns quicker and flatter with the Smart tabs.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Same here. Like it's on rails. I can really whip a tube to the point of being scary.

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I will be ordering mine in the next day or two I think I'm going with the 60 pound actuators composite tabsI can't wait to try them!! I'm going to add the PR 500hinges so I can move them out of the way to wakeboard

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I have had my boat out twice since installing the smart tabs (SX 60) and here is my results.

First time I took the boat out was with just my gf and I and not that windy of a day. I was intersted in them to help fix the porpoising problem i was having and get the bow down. I took a trip to Table Rock lake last year with my gf and the kids and the water was really rough in the main part of the lake and my boat did not handle the waves good at all. Even going at a 15-20mph clip....the kids were bouncing so bad a couple times I thought they were going to come out of the boat so I had to put them in back...needless to say they weren't happy with that but safety first.

I had the actuator set to the middle setting #3 to start out with per the instructions.

Results:
The wander was gone, the boat got right out of the hole and on plane and the tip of the boat never raised up to the point I needed to stand up either.

However the ride over the choppy water was better than before but I was expecting better. But I kept the setting on the tabs the same that day to get the full spectrum of calm, choppy and stirred up water to test the tabs out on this setting.

Second trip was yesterday on another not so windy day but this time with my gf and our two kids and two coolers and all of our stuff loaded in the boat.

I did change the tab setting to position #4 reading in the instructions that that would help more with the porpoising.

Results:

Wow...the boat road like a 30' boat that weighed 10,000lbs! The boat performed better on all fronts and cutting across the lake looking for other boats waves the new setting ate the waves like they were ripples and at one point the kids actually turned around from the front of the boat raising there hands saying "This almost isn't fun anymore without the bouncing" but the times that i remember them last year getting bounced around and looking a bit worried I was completely happy for this result.

So if anyone is on the fence of buying or installing these....these are a must have for any boat.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I agree.. I was very impressed with the way they changed our boat's performance with turning, wandering at low speeds in the wake zones, and instant planning. However, one of the biggest benefits was the way the boat handles another boats wakes. It crosses over them much easier, and stays much more steady if locked behind another boats wake. We are on the river, so unlike a lake we are constantly running along side other boats - and the occasional Tug/barge. Crossing or getting behind another person's wake is a given, and the tabs made our boating experiences much more pleasant. The first season without them - there were times that I did not feel comfortable with the kids up front - even with my wife. I'm really looking forward to getting on the water this season (haven't been out yet). I'm currently on the middle setting - but I plan on testing it out in a few other places to see if I can find a sweet spot (as I set it there when I installed them and was blown away enough to never touch them again lol).

Thanks for the feedback - this thread is very helpful for anyone looking at the Smart tabs - it's the same thread that sold me on them.

Nick

Re: Smart Tabs
 

After finally been able to get on a large lake after installing the smart tabs, all I can say is "WOW". The difference is night and day. Up on plane very fast and makes the turns like its on rails. A+++ for the smart tabs :)

Mine are set on the middle setting.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I don't seem to need to trim up hardly at all either. Move it up much and I can start hearing the exhaust. Normal too?

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Re: Smart Tabs
 

Loved mine.

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still new to the site, but have done quite a bit of reading here, and after seeing mikeyt's numerous comments on the Nauticus Smart Tabs, I did a search to find out what the ruckus was about and found this old thread.... read the whole thing, :eek_animated: and just ordered the SX9510-80 for my Z212 w/5.7L.:D

Just from reading, it sounds like the #80 should be what I need. Considered the SX10512-90, but figured my boat was on the small-ish end for those, and the 9510 with the #80 should be fine...
I'll probably have to move my transducer...maybe.
BTW, iboats is still selling them for ~$107.....

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Nauticus will exchange the actuators for you free of charge if they are too "light".:wink_thumbup:

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Husker fan,

We've got the same hull. I can usually trim mine to the upper limit without any blow out.

Not sure what that means if yours is blowing out early. Does the bow try to plow or does it trim up nicely without porposing?

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Mine won't go nearly that far. I trim all the way down and all I do is give the switch a few clicks up. Much more and I hear the exhaust. I've never had a boat before this one, so its hard for me to judge what is normal either. Maybe my trim gauge is goofy too. Full speed it shows less than 1/4 up from bottom.

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Re: Smart Tabs
 

Question.
When you trim all the way down do the rams fully retract?

The trim sensor is adjustable. When it's trimmed all the way down you can loosen the two mounting screws and rotate the sensor so the gauge reads fully down.
I've got new sensors and adjusted them as per spec. My trim range, as per the gauge goes from "down" to "half" and the limit kicks in.
No big deal. Trimming is more done by feel, speed and how the boat reacts. Can't say I look at the gauge very often.
The other sensor is a trim limit sensor, it too is adjustable. It controls the rams so you can't "trim up" past a safe point of angle while the drive is in use. You measure how far the rams have extended and at a prescribed point it stops "trimming up".
Using the trailer button overrides this safety.

All the instruction on adjustment can be found online.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

just got the smart tabs installed and ready to hit the lake this weekend the question is do you still trim all the way down when taking off or is it no longer necessary

Re: Smart Tabs
 

No still trim all the way down for take off :D
just drive it like you normally would, it'll just be a nicer boat to drive :wink_thumbup:

Re: Smart Tabs
 

We like the Lenco's trim tab system for boats under 28 ft. the reason is the trim tabs move together when you hit the buttons since they are electric units compared to hydraulic units. Most Hydraulic trim tabs with a single hydraulic pump will have the trim tab move slower that is farthest away from the pump itself. The closest trim tad to the hydraulic pump will move faster. Also IMO they are easier to install plus you will never see oil leaks like the hydraulic units nor have oil leaks in the waterways. Might help down the road because any spillage in the waterways can cost you a heavy fine. J M O.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Agreed but, that's not what we're talkin' about here. Nauticus' Smart Tabs are the subject along with trimming of the outdrive. Lenco's & Bennetts are nice and maybe worth it on large / larger boats but on anything under 25', the Smart Tabs are far more cost effective.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

when you go to the lake, take the tools necessary to adjust the tabs. I found that following their instructions to a tee and using the supplied shocks, I found it worthwhile to try different settings.

I ended up removing one the shocks from each side and setting the lowest installed setting (most trim) to the least downward position for the best overall performance. I have since reduced the initial tension even more by flipping the bracket to allow shock to mount slightly higher.

Take an hour and play with it.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Installed the 12.5 x 10 smart tabs sx on my 240 Talari this week and took her out today. What a difference! No more wander at low speeds and more importantly, on plane in a few seconds and stay there at very low speeds pulling two kids wake surfing/knee boarding/etc along with a spotter in the rear. Best $150 purchase this summer (excluding the bi-weekly non-ethanol fuel purchases). I plan to do some high speed runs tomorrow since the weather here in Vermont is forecast to be sunny and in the low 80's again.

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I have not looked at smart tabs in awhile so I went to their website. I was going off of years ago info that if I recalled when they first came out they were for boats 20 ft and under with lower hprsepower ratings. I currently looked at their website and it lists boats from 10 ft to 22 ft and horsepower ratings up 240 hp / 250 hp . They also have a listing for boats 23 to 30 ft but I did not see the hp rating for these.

I would think boats that are able to produce high speeds that smart tabs would not be able to handle the water pressure coming off the transom. Anyways I can see for a low cost alternative compared to trim tabs, smart tabs would be a great buy but not for every application.

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No one solution will ever be the answer to all problems.
But in this instance I think the benefits that Smart Tabs offer to a sub 25' Mariah are well documented.

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Agreed all the way!!:wink_thumbup:

Re: Smart Tabs
 

JohnnyMO,

I called them directly to see what size of tab and hydraulic lb rating would be best.

Rick

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Per advice above I will be doing some adjusting. I will say ghough, my wife noticed immediately that the bow stayed down during holeshots which was very very nice, I can take kff sitting down now!! I noticed thag it plains almost immediately. And my son immediately noticed how much better it rides and commented on it without prompting! It definately corners MUCH better as my 202 shabah seems to "slide" a lot at higher speed when turning. The slow spped steering Iis better and is much easier to control when docking for sure
But... I want to change settings and have some more questions.

1. It really felt to me like it was holding the front down too hard. Like really digging it in the water, which explains why it rode so nice.
2. There was a LOT of spray from the tabs even at 40+ mph and well planed... is this normal?? It looked like two hoses spraying a fan of water Iinto the wake where there is normally the smooth shallow dip in the water from the bit of hull when planed out good. ( hope that makes sense) like the tabs never came fully up and parallel with the hull.. Do they ever stop spraying up water or is this normal?
3. When I installed the tabs there was some water in the starboard side of the transom that came out the holes. Left side was dry. I remember someone else mentioning this but have not gone back to research it further and see what the responses were.
4. Should I try the tabs on the lowest resistance setting and will it make much difference? They are set at no3 (the middle hole) as instructed right now.

I have a 99 shabah 202 and installed the sx tabs w/60lbs actuators... thanks for the suggestions, opinions, personal experience and help guys. It really helps alot! I love this site!

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Id go to the lowest setting next. If it's still holding the nose down too far, Id have them send you the next lighter shock.