Re: Smart Tabs
 

He may have been mistaken about the -80 version or maybe Nauticus doesn't make them anymore. The Nauticus Inc web site only shows the 70 and 90 lb versions in that size and style.

Followup on my earlier post. It made no difference mounting the struts on the other side of the top bracket, as I thought it might. There was still a conflict with the hardware preventing mounting it in the top or bottom holes. So, I replaced the black plastic spacer with a smaller diameter aluminum one and I could fit them ok. The resulting decrease in plate angle was from 25 degrees to 20 degrees.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I thought I read on here that the 80lb ones worked best with our 25 footers?

Re: Smart Tabs
 

If you bought a used, and it came with them installed whats the best way to tellmof u have 60 or 80 lb actuators?


'98 mariah shabah 180
5.7l 350 mag
Bravo III

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I think the 60lb actuators have a blue zip tie on the end of the boot. 80lb is black, 40lb is red.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Smart Tabs
 

BTW I am trying 60lb actuators this year. I am at the lowest setting now and I would like some adjustment range.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Does anyone have pictures of placement on a Shabah 182 mine is a 2001 and I just ordered a 60 lb pair.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

You want them out a far as possible. My swim ladder was in the way thus the inner location.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c69dfce716.jpg

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Thanks for the photo I will post a before and after in a week or so when I get them installed. What is the cable leading down to the right side of the tab?

Re: Smart Tabs
 

My milage paddle wheel

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Recently purchased smart tabs for my 93 Barchetta, anyone have pic of best place to install

Re: Smart Tabs
 

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.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Re: Smart Tabs
 

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 ... ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Smart Tabs
 

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.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Re: Smart Tabs
 

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.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

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.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Re: Smart Tabs
 

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.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

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 ...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Smart Tabs
 

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

Re: Smart Tabs
 

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!!

Re: Smart Tabs
 

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

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

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

Re: Smart Tabs
 

So smart tabs vs whale tail (planing fin on out drive). I have a 1994 182 with a 4.3 V6. I’m at 6,500 feet and it planes is seconds with the fin. The biggest issue I have is my trim is extremely sensitive. Probably du to the fin. I start in the lowest setting and can only trim the drive up very little before porpoising. The other issue is with such a small boat depending on how it’s loaded and who’s in it in the lean one side or the other. Do the smart tabs correct this or you have to have individually trim tabs to correct any type of listing. I guess what is the benefits to smart tabs versus the whale tail. And even nothing at all ?

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Smart Tabs are very limited in function. They only adjust in pairs for raising or lowering the bow. Once set, there is no changing them without access to the transom. So, no they will not adjust for lean. They should give you some relief with the trim issue though, if you remove the whale tail. Your outdrive is not designed for that anyway and you risk breaking the anti-vent plates on the drive. To adjust for lean and on-the-go trim, you would have to install full trim tabs, either electric or hydraulic.
I started with the Smart Tabs installed just to correct the idle speed steering wander. Later I upgraded them using a conversion kit to convert to full control with auto-parking. I was able to keep the Smart Tab stainless steel planes but they required some modifications.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I'll go one step further than Gary.... No one in their right minds would intentionally install a dammed whale-tail on the outdrive of their Mariah. As Gary noted, any impact will cause a fracture of the cavitation plates and probably significant damage to the outdrive... and ... they are dammed ugly.

I have seen the standard Smart tabs used to adjust somewhat for lean (set one in a lower position than the other) but that's not really what they were designed for. The best way is to simply redistribute weight in your boat to offset the lean.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

This is what can happen: https://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...ole-lower-unit

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Ok off with the whale tail. What do I do to properly fill the holes? Can I run it with the holes?

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Performance wise they no problem if holes left in. If the looks of holes bother you epoxy them closed and paint it. I put set of smart tabs sx on my 180. They completely changed and improved the boat as advertised!..got over 80 hours on boat this year with them..I run 3rd hole..and 20 pitch merc alum 4 blade at 900 feet in wi. At your higher altitude you probably can't pull that much pitch.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

Yeah I think that’s too much for me. I’m running a 17 SS 3 blade and a 18 4 blade aluminum. The 17 SS if a great tubing / towing prop but I have to watch the RPMs. It will over rev at full throttle. The 18 seems just about perfect. What pound smart tabs did you end up with? 60lb?

Re: Smart Tabs
 

pole trick is right, the holes won't matter but for some of us that get a little anal about holes that shouldn't be there an easy fix with JB Weld can give you peace of mind. I file out the holes with a round file and then tape electrical tape under the hole. Mix up some JB Weld and fill the holes and dab them for a while to work out the air bubbles. Once dry just sand the top down smooth and shoot with some self etching primer and then black acrylic paint. I've done this twice to my current boat. Once to fill the holes of the terrible whale tail I took off and then once from a prop strike on a rock that chipped the cav plate. Good luck!

Re: Smart Tabs
 

NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE!!!!!
Holy cow! Words simply can’t describe the difference removing the “whale tale” did to my boat. Took it out yesterday for the first time with out it and it rides so smooth. It used to be so bumpy. No amount of trimming could satisfy the boat. I was either nose down (doing my best not to upset the wife with a bumpy ride) or porpoising like crazy over every wave. Not to mention how heave the steering used to be. I’m finally able to run the boat in the trim zone on the garage. We were literally flying across the top of the water in big chop and it was smooth as silk. No tail on chop and it was as smooth as tail on glass. Even in glass the boat always had trim issues. The only thing I have to solve is planning out. With the tail I could plan out with in 30feet of a dead stop. Stay on plane going 10mph. Now it’s nose in the air for about 60feet then she pops up. So smart tabs will be next. Unfortunately since our boating season is just about over they will wait till spring. It’s manageable but I definitely miss how well it planned out. However the ride and steering it is absolutely amazing now ! So glad I took it off.

Re: Smart Tabs
 

I have the 60lbs ones..shop around for them. I got mine last summer for around 125.00 with free shipping from somewhere.