Smart Tabs

Buckeyeinatl · 07-21-2014, 05:48 PM

I was hunting through search finding a good thread to post this on, and sorry if I chose the wrong one let me know and I'll move this post!

I ordered the Nauticus sx80 trim tabs and wanted to report on them, with my 2000 Mariah z202. Prior to purchasing the tabs, the boat had a nice ride and the reason I decided to purchase was because I enjoy poker runs, but don't enjoy the 2-3 ft waves. Prior to the tabs, the only frustrations were having to wait till 17mph to get on plane, a little bit of porposing issues on chop and trim high, and top end related to such.

I can tell you first, my summary is the tabs are worth every penny. The boat in general has a smoother more 'caddilacish' ride in all conditions. The boat now planes at 14mph, handles chop and keeps the bow down during heavy chop which creates a situation where I can get more top end in 'conditions'. I did not gain top end under glassy conditions. However realizing that I was handling the chop as good as some of the 30' boats and running abreast with these boats was worth the trim tabs weight in gold. In the poker run this weekend, is one of the largest in the country with 200+ 30' plus boats and it almost feels like offshore racing, lol.

the condition and difference of 60 to 80 lb. I had two separate conversations with Nauticus about what weight I should have. They kept reassuring me the 80 was what I need. I ran the whole run in the #2 position and I'd say it's possible that under normal conditions, This is where I might keep them except for one issue.... So I guess the million dollar question is what would make a person try the 60 lb? Is it when you have moved to the #1 position and the bow still feels like it wont lift to your liking? I will say it's odd, that when I am 'all the way trimmed' up my gauge shows only 50% trim and I definitely could be trimmed higher than that, it feels.

Hope this helps a future buyer.

gahooligan · 07-21-2014, 06:15 PM

You must have been running on lake Lanier...

***mikeyt*** · 07-21-2014, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeyeinatl

I was hunting through search finding a good thread to post this on, and sorry if I chose the wrong one let me know and I'll move this post!

I ordered the Nauticus sx80 trim tabs and wanted to report on them, with my 2000 Mariah z202. Prior to purchasing the tabs, the boat had a nice ride and the reason I decided to purchase was because I enjoy poker runs, but don't enjoy the 2-3 ft waves. Prior to the tabs, the only frustrations were having to wait till 17mph to get on plane, a little bit of porposing issues on chop and trim high, and top end related to such.

I can tell you first, my summary is the tabs are worth every penny. The boat in general has a smoother more 'caddilacish' ride in all conditions. The boat now planes at 14mph, handles chop and keeps the bow down during heavy chop which creates a situation where I can get more top end in 'conditions'. I did not gain top end under glassy conditions. However realizing that I was handling the chop as good as some of the 30' boats and running abreast with these boats was worth the trim tabs weight in gold. In the poker run this weekend, is one of the largest in the country with 200+ 30' plus boats and it almost feels like offshore racing, lol.

the condition and difference of 60 to 80 lb. I had two separate conversations with Nauticus about what weight I should have. They kept reassuring me the 80 was what I need. I ran the whole run in the #2 position and I'd say it's possible that under normal conditions, This is where I might keep them except for one issue.... So I guess the million dollar question is what would make a person try the 60 lb? Is it when you have moved to the #1 position and the bow still feels like it wont lift to your liking? I will say it's odd, that when I am 'all the way trimmed' up my gauge shows only 50% trim and I definitely could be trimmed higher than that, it feels.

Hope this helps a future buyer.

We've had literally hundreds of buyers of Smart Tabs from this site over the years so our members are fairly well versed in their benefits. For the majority of Mariah applications its been our experience that Nauticus 'over recommends' on the required arm strength. When they originally came out & i installed a pair on my 180, Nauticus said i needed 80# arms. Even at their lowest setting i couldn't get the bow of my boat to rise at all and it was almost scary trying to corner at speed because it always felt like the bow wanted to bury itself in the water. Many others here with boats up to about 22' found the same issues so that was why i recommended dropping back to the 60# arms. Nauticus will do that exchange for you and i think you will find it will give you a wider range of choice on settings that will work best for your boat.

gahooligan · 07-21-2014, 07:03 PM

I agree the 60 pound actuators on my 202 are set at the lightest setting I tried them in the middle first, but it felt like it was always digging the bow into the water and would.never "get light".