Smart Tabs on Z220 Talari?

kruthes1 · 10-03-2012, 02:49 AM

I searched the posts on Smart Tabs and I couldnt find what I was looking for so here it goes.....
I have a 94 Z220 Talari and am considering Smart Tabs over the winter. Has anyone installed them on a comparable boat (this hull style and this size). It seems that most of the people that have installed them are on newer 20 feet or smaller Mariahs, Im just curious how the boat reacted and how much you lost on the top end. It seems almost a sure thing that you will loose top speed which isnt a huge concern unless we are talking 5 to 10 mph.

Thanks in advance

***mikeyt*** · 10-03-2012, 03:10 AM

Well if you read the Smart Tabs website they claim the tabs will actually increase your top end! There are a few members here with larger boats that have installed the SS tabs and i dont recall anyone complaining that they did not help with planing, reduced wandering at slow speed or improved stability at high speed. That's basically the same results i got with my 180 but i did not see an increase (or decrease) in top speed. All in all for a boat like yours i would consider the stainless steel SX10512-90 version over the Smart Tabs SX type.

kruthes1 · 10-04-2012, 12:25 AM

Thanks, that was another question I had was which one would be better, the metal or composite. The reason I said that about loosing top speed was because I did read most of the posts talking about the Smart Tabs and it seemed like almost all of the reported some top speed loss.

***ColoradoDiablo*** · 10-04-2012, 01:05 AM

Most I saw was 2 mph. That was on one boat , my other boat never lost anything. Depends how well the actuators are paired to the boat. Sometimes you get right on......other times its a little to much downforce.
It definately isn't enough to worry about

The other benefits well out weight the minor top speed loss , if you even loose it.
Of course......JMO

Larry

mmckenzie6 · 10-04-2012, 02:01 AM

I'm a new owner and first time posting. I've got a '95 202 Shabah with 5.7 L, that I bought in early July. Love the boat, but would not stay on plane at less than 20 mph or so when pulling tubes. Slow to get on plane as well, especially when fully loaded. After lots of reading on this site, I installed the composite Smart Tabs that the company recommended. (Actually emailed them directly and asked about the actual placement on the boat because of the overhanging deck)

Only been out one time since. Boat jumps up on plane and stays there at much lower speeds than before. I did lose some speed, but have not had a chance to adjust the actuators and hit the lake again.

I'm a believer and would highly recommend them.

***mikeyt*** · 10-04-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmckenzie6

I'm a new owner and first time posting. I've got a '95 202 Shabah with 5.7 L, that I bought in early July. Love the boat, but would not stay on plane at less than 20 mph or so when pulling tubes. Slow to get on plane as well, especially when fully loaded. After lots of reading on this site, I installed the composite Smart Tabs that the company recommended. (Actually emailed them directly and asked about the actual placement on the boat because of the overhanging deck)

Only been out one time since. Boat jumps up on plane and stays there at much lower speeds than before. I did lose some speed, but have not had a chance to adjust the actuators and hit the lake again.

I'm a believer and would highly recommend them.

One of many satisfied customers!

Oregondunes · 10-04-2012, 08:32 PM

I lost 3-5 initially. However, after adjusting the baseline angle and removing one of the shocks per plane, Im only down maybe 1-2.

However, I did do a test this summer where I zip tied the planes up all the way and drove it around for an hour. Wow, what a difference. Sure the boat seem to turn easier with less effort, but the "wander" it has was not welcome.

My boat planes very easy, but the smart planes just make it that much more stable with a boat full of peps.

mihatran · 11-02-2012, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyt

Well if you read the Smart Tabs website they claim the tabs will actually increase your top end! There are a few members here with larger boats that have installed the SS tabs and i dont recall anyone complaining that they did not help with planing, reduced wandering at slow speed or improved stability at high speed. That's basically the same results i got with my 180 but i did not see an increase (or decrease) in top speed. All in all for a boat like yours i would consider the stainless steel SX10512-90 version over the Smart Tabs SX type.

Mikeyt, what do you think about my boat, will it work with SX10512-70? They are really cheap (around $150 plus shipping) for the winter so I'm thinking to buy them now, before I'll test more my boat. I will use the boat more with my family for cruising so I'm not worry about speed but to be on plane at lower speed.

***mikeyt*** · 11-02-2012, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mihatran

Mikeyt, what do you think about my boat, will it work with SX10512-70? They are really cheap (around $150 plus shipping) for the winter so I'm thinking to buy them now, before I'll test more my boat. I will use the boat more with my family for cruising so I'm not worry about speed but to be on plane at lower speed.

That should be the correct version for your boat.