Re: Old question, fresh advice.
 

http://www.mariahownersclub.com/gall...le.php?n= 3647

Put my SmartTabs on tonight. Pretty easy install. I upload to the gallery some more photos but couldn't figure out how to keep them on an album. Kind of a mess right now but you can see some steps. Mounted farther inside than most would want but seem to be where most people end up placing them.

New time out I should see the improvements. New skeg repair and hydrofoil holes filled in. :)

Thanks to board for info.

Oh Yes........"the beakster" is named after my wife. nickname of beak

Re: Old question, fresh advice.
 

Mine are only a little further out than yours, simpleaz, but not much. Options are very limited on a 20' Talari, and I went out to the edges as far as I possibly could just to make them fit on the flat transom. I am bad about getting pics but will try......

OK so I junked the hydrofoil (wow boat already looks better and I feel a little better about taking that added stress off the lower unit) and headed to the lake. I might as well cut and paste what everyone else is saying about the tabs, but WOW! Like a different boat. IMMEDIATELY I noticed how smooth and quick it was up on plane at full throttle. It also gets up on plane at even half to three quarter throttle, and that is something that would not happen before. I can actually stay seated while being able to see over the bow also. Boat was much more stable while cruising, especially through rougher waters. I have always had "torque list" while underway, and that seems to still be there, but not as bad. I may play with the port side tab and maybe adjust it to a stiffer hole to see if that compensation does it. Otherwise, the tabs are probably THEE best 100 bucks ever spent on ANY boat I have had. Period.

This is how this boat was supposed to act. It is a shame the tabs are (were) not standard equipment from the factory. But then again, that is why we have aftermarket right?

Re: Old question, fresh advice.
 

Good to hear MtTalari. As I look at my photo, I guess I could have gone out a little more. I was trying to line up with the bottom and the spot I picked seem 'natural'. Oh well, time will tell. I can always MarineTex and try again if I don't feel the performance I expect. I am going to get a new prop as I have a 23 and it just isn't right. I am going to go with an Apollo 4 blade 20.

Looking forward to seeing your pics. I will head out this weekend to see how they do.

Re: Old question, fresh advice.
 

Just updating that I feel like I have a new boat. The Smart Tabs are great! They cured my rough ride issues and crossing others wakes are painless now. This was the only change I made right now. I still plan on a new prop to get into the right rpm range but for now handling is perfect.

The 80 lbs seem a good fit and they are set in the middle. I will adjust some to tweek and see how it changes the ride.

Re: Old question, fresh advice.
 

I also forgot to mention when I was launchimg my boat on the above trip, I got my first "how long is that boat?" followed by "wow--it is very nice" This guy was in one of the those fancy Yamaha 230 jet boats that had to be 50k. Good feeling as I feel I need to polish and redo the interior.

Re: Old question, fresh advice.
 

try a four blade 20 but see if you get it from a prop shop he can punch-pitch it which will bring the leading edges back to your 19 or even an 18. you might try and 18 but you'll lose top speed but the hole shot will be terriffic