[Rick of Austin]

Here are a couple pics on how and where I installed Smart Tabs on a Diablo. Transformed the low spoeed handeling and improved all aspects of the boat.
They are closer to the centerline than I hoped but the trailer skidrail is in the way and I didnt feel like taking the boat off to shorten them.

[WetWilly]

Hi Rick, professional looking install, nice

WetWilly

[abillmann]

Hi Rick,

I think there are about 20 of us here who are on the verge of installing SmartTabs also. Thanks for being a lab rat!

What has your experience been so far? Any problems with steering and/or keeping the boat straight? Does it list at all when it's on plane? Is the wake dramatically different?

Let us know what your thoughts are so far.

[Rick of Austin]

The most obvious change is that the boat now climbs up on a plane much sooner and with less bow rise. before I had to use trim and even move passengers to the front or it may not ever get on a plane. Now it doesnt matter where the weight is or where the trim is set, just give it the gas and at about 12-15 mph its on a clean plane. Much better for pulling skis or water toys. The turning is also vasty improved. It turns like its on rails without the feeling that its going to slide out or take on water from the inside vent like it used to. I can hold a steeply banked turn on a plane and accelerate right out of it as smooth as you can imagine. It truly feels like te boat now has suspension. Because it does!
As you can see I should have moved them another 3-4 inches outboard and that would have improved the turning and high speed stability even more. The only reason I didnt was because the trailer rails are in the way but they should have been shortened.
At wide open speeds I may have lost 1-2 mph but its hard to tell. I have the 9 by 12 stainless models with 60 lb actuators set in the middle hole and with 20 degrees of angle to the bottom of the hull. I may try and both raise them to maybe 15 degrees and move the actuarors to the outermost hole reducing their effectiveness just as an experiment.
By far thei is the best money I ever spend on a boat.
The install isnt hard just make sure to use the right size pilot hole for the screws depending on wether you are installing in solid fibergalss like the two most inboard screws were or the bracket and outboard screws whaich are in wood with glass on the outside. If I were to do it again I would probably use thickened epoxy or jb weld rather than the gooey marine adhesive for the screws. Then the hole sizes arent as critical.. You can still get the screws out by heating them up with a heavy soldering iron to a point where the epoxy softens. All epoxy is thermoplastic.
Overall I cant say enough good about the Smart Tabs.
Rick

[94z190talari]

Yours would be the first I have seen with trim tabs on an 18' boat. That makes me think about getting a set for mine to even out the boat for those uneven loads. I sometimes get a little skerred when the boat leans to the passenger side (that would be wife option 3). It sure would be nice to be able to lift up that side.

You are right they do ride better when the driver (me) is the only one in the boat, but mine does alright as long as you move the ballast around evenly.

Is yours the 4.3L or LX? (2 or 4 bbl)

Another question after looking again at the trim tab pics. Were those cleats on the sides of the swim platform factory or did you install them? Looks like those would hurt if you slipped on suntan lotion fooling around the back (or being clumsy as I sometimes do when influenced by a Bud or 2).

[Paul F]

Rick,

This almost identical to what I wrote about mine when I installed them a couple of years ago. Welcome to a more enjoyable boating experience!

It will really help with pulling skiers and tubers. You don't have to worry about climbing in and out of the hole by fiddling with the throttle.

94Z, smart tabs won't help even out unlevel loads. You really need adjustable tabs to accomplish that.

[homerd]

Thanks for the pics. I just bought smart tabs and will be installing tomorrow, It really helps to see how you did it. Thanks. For those wanting to purchase, I bought mine off of ebay and I received them for a remarkable price of $158 for st1290 80. These were recommended by Nauticus for a Mariah 215z. I bought them form girlsauction2 and they mailed them the same day and I received them in two days. Just in time for the weekend. Yahoo.......can't wait.

[Daisy'sMariah]

I have them installed on a 21'2 Shaba Z they helped it getting out of the water but if your looking to control uneven rides then adjustable tabs are needed they were the "Cheap" way out for now. If I keep the boat long enough there getting replaced with Bennett's !!