How do Smart Tabs Affect My Wake?

[RC]

My boat is a '86 Four Winns 190 Horizon. I put smart tabs on some time ago and really like how it's changed the performance of the boat. What I don't remember is how my wake was before the tabs. I'm asking because my family is really into wakeboarding now and the wake the boat puts out sucks! It really is a lot of white wash which doesn't help when trying to get some air. I just went out on a friends mid 90's 18 foot bayliner (no tabs but the wings on the outdrive) and it puts out a really nice wake for boarding. I may try adjusting the tabs this weekend or remove entirely to see what the difference is, any thoughts??

Thanks

 

[craze1cars]

Re: How do Smart Tabs Affect My Wake?

The whole point of smart tabs is to raise the rear of the boat at lower speeds....this will certainly reduce your wake size. Smart tabs are not a good choice for wakeboarding sports in my opinion. I think if you take them off (or simply wire them into the up position while you're wakeboarding), you'll find your boat will plow water at low speeds with nose high in the sky, and push a nice big wake. This undesireable handling trait is probably good for only one thing...wakeboarding.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: How do Smart Tabs Affect My Wake?

You may try adjusting for less pressure on the actuators.
I noticed the same thing with my wake.
I guess it's give and take...

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: How do Smart Tabs Affect My Wake?

We just introduced a special bracket assembly which allows you to pull the tabs up with a lever handle. Normally this is used to move them up when rack storing the boat and a fork lift is used to pick the boat up. However, the tabs could be moved up when you are wake boarding and then move the lever down when you are just cruising or skiing or pulling tubes. List price is $39.95 for the pair. It replaces the current transom bracket. Mounts with two screws, but hole location is different than the standard transom bracket. Go to our web site and click on ProTroller series then scroll down to the bottom for the PR500.

 

[tommays]

Re: How do Smart Tabs Affect My Wake?

I think if you tweak them to hold a steady speed at 15 to 17 MPH with the bow a bit high you should be able to put up a good boarding wake


There most likely adjusted now for general all around performance


If you lock them UP your going to be in that no mans land of alllways falling on and off plane


Tommays

 

[QC]

Re: How do Smart Tabs Affect My Wake?

This is one of the reasons I still prefer adjustable tabs. The other issue I find with tabs down during water sports is the little rooster right at about, oh 65 feet . . . If you can't raise the tabs this can be uncomfortable for even tubers as they get really wet. With adjustable tabs I can pull them up just unitl the rooster dissapears or pull them all of the way up to dig a big deep hole for wakeboarding. My .02

 

[RC]

Re: How do Smart Tabs Affect My Wake?

Thanks, some great reply's. I think I'll try to adjust first with less pressure this weekend and see what I get. I'll also take a look at the lever handle. Appreciate the help as always.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: How do Smart Tabs Affect My Wake?

RC;

Tommy's made a good point, slow down to under 20 MPH and trim the motor up to get some bow rise and drop the stern. You may get more of a wake.

What creates the wake is draft. How deep does the boat sit in the water.

 

[RC]

Re: How do Smart Tabs Affect My Wake?

I made some adjustments on Saturday. Moved the ball stud to the top of the transom bracket and moved the ball stud on the tab down (towards transom) 1/4". I liked the performance of the boat that way, perhaps I didn't have them adjusted right before but the wake was the same. I also played with the trim but that didn't change all the whitewash that is my wake. Today I went out and took the tabs off. Perfect wake, exactly what I want. But now I want the best of both. John with that lever handle do you think it will keep the tabs out of the way enough to have no effect on the wake? Thanks

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: How do Smart Tabs Affect My Wake?

RC;

Yes!

 

[RC]

Re: How do Smart Tabs Affect My Wake?

Thanks John. At $39.95 I will give them a try!

 

[RC]

Re: How do Smart Tabs Affect My Wake?

I purchased the new brackets with the lever handle and installed them with no problem. Now I do have the best of both! In the up position I have a great wake for wakeboarding. In the down position I get all the benefits of smart tabs. Raising and lowering the lever handle is no problem.

Thanks John!!