[Paul F]

I still haven't gotten a commission check from John at Nauticus.

I know we've sold a lot of tabs for him.

[mikeyt]

Originally Posted by Paul F

I still haven't gotten a commission check from John at Nauticus.

I know we've sold a lot of tabs for him.

You have to give him your Swiss bank account number like i did.

[depman160]

Originally Posted by mikeyt

Well, ya got one on each side of the boat rather than just one in the middle so you have more surface area lifting the stern evenly. The Smart tabs actually move up & down slightly (thru the actuators) depending on the load presented to them so they can in effect 'self adjust' to the conditions such as low speed wandering, hauling tubers/boarders or simply high speed cruising. You can set the mid point of the movement by choosing one of the 5 pivot holes when you mount them, although most applications will be in the 2-3-4 position, which allows you to adjust them to your particular boat. I also recall someone mentioning that they set one tab in one position and the other in a different position to help correct a lean while under way. And last, when first setting out on a run you shouldn't need to trim your drive in as much as you likely already do because the tabs help lift the stern & get you onto plane much faster.

Thanks for the explanation...not sure I will invest in them, but they sound like a useful tool!

[ebb8827]

Hi,


does somebody have experience with smart tabs an dry storage? Is the movement of the actuator enough to level the tabs parallel to the hull or will the forklift damage the flab? I saw the PR500 device at the webside but I will not be able to use it when the baot is in the water. I have a 182 shabah like Azboatman and the upper tab mounting point will be under the swim platform.

Here the link to Azboatman picture in the galery.

http://www.mariahownersclub.com/gall...php?n=1904&w=o

Here a picture from the dry storage

[mikeyt]

If i remember my install correctly the mounting plate comes right to the bottom edge of the hull so it wont be a problem and there should be enough movement in the actuators to prevent any damage. For safety sake though, you could pull the pin on each so that they are loose but it means you will have to get into the water to put the pins back in. And as long as they dont slide the boat off the forks you should be okay.

[ebb8827]

Thanks Mikey,

I think I wil order some smart tabs

[Phlorida]

I have the Smart Tabs on my SX-18 that I am removing in favor of hydraulic tabs because i have my boat at a place that uses a forklift. The tabs are pushed up by the arms of the lift but it sure looks like it is only a matter of time before they snap under load. The forklift arms are not smooth, they are covered in carpet. Removing and reinstalling the pin at every launch wouldn't be a very good option for me. My thoughts......

Originally Posted by mikeyt

If i remember my install correctly the mounting plate comes right to the bottom edge of the hull so it wont be a problem and there should be enough movement in the actuators to prevent any damage. For safety sake though, you could pull the pin on each so that they are loose but it means you will have to get into the water to put the pins back in. And as long as they dont slide the boat off the forks you should be okay.

[mikeyt]

Originally Posted by Phlorida

I have the Smart Tabs on my SX-18 that I am removing in favor of hydraulic tabs because i have my boat at a place that uses a forklift. The tabs are pushed up by the arms of the lift but it sure looks like it is only a matter of time before they snap under load. The forklift arms are not smooth, they are covered in carpet. Removing and reinstalling the pin at every launch wouldn't be a very good option for me. My thoughts......

I agree that if you have to use a forklift to launch the boat more than 1 or 2x per season the remove & reinstall the pins option would be a pain in the a$$ (and the water damm cold for those of us who wait for the ice to melt). My biggest worry would be that the forklift operator wouldn't be particularly careful in making sure that his forks completely clear the tabs as the boat floats off the forks. I think that as long as he (or she) is careful, it can be done safely.

[Phlorida]

You make a great point that I hadn't considered. I live in Florida and boat in brackish water rivers so the boat gets put away every evening or 20-30 times a year. If I only put it down to start and end of the season I would be inclined to stay with the Smart Tabs at less than 20% of the cost of what I am considering.

The part that scares me with the forklift is when it is being picked up, not down. The Smart Tabs are angled down from the lowest part of the transom. When the forklift picks it up the tab itself must ride down the forklift arms a couple of inches for it to rise up above the hull. If the tab catches the fabric you can just about guarantee that something on the Smart Tab is going to give. I paid around $100 for the Nauticus tabs and I am probably going to end up paying over $500 for the hydraulic tabls with labor which would buy a lot of Nauticus parts.

An interesting note - the marina that my boat is currently at had me sign a waiver when they noticed that I had installed the Smart Tabs. The marina that I am moving the boat to won't even pick the boat up once with them installed.

Originally Posted by mikeyt

I agree that if you have to use a forklift to launch the boat more than 1 or 2x per season the remove & reinstall the pins option would be a pain in the a$$ (and the water damm cold for those of us who wait for the ice to melt). My biggest worry would be that the forklift operator wouldn't be particularly careful in making sure that his forks completely clear the tabs as the boat floats off the forks. I think that as long as he (or she) is careful, it can be done safely.