Hydraulic tabs vs Smart tabs

[troutbum1982]

Well the title says it....... what are the pros and cons if there are any that are significant beyond cost.

 

[QC]

Re: Hydraulic tabs vs Smart tabs

Smart Tabs
Pros
Easy install
Leave it and go
Excellent low speed planing speeds
Potential for increased top speed
Cons
Not adjustable underway
Down when beached (unless you have a clugey rope and cleat arrangement)
Can NOT assist with shifting loads from side to side

Helm Adjustable (Lencos aren't hydraulic)
Pros
Can be set to any possible combination
Can be used to increase wake for wakeboarding
Can be used to minimize wake
Can adjust for any shifting load situation
Can adjust for cross winds
Can adjust for quartering seas
Amazing low speed planing speeds
Potential for higher top speeds
Something else to play with
Cons
Difficult install
Can be adjusted to unsafe positions
Something else to play with

P.S. I have installed all three, listed in order of simplicity for DIY
Smart Tabs (absolutely cake)
Lencos (no hydraulic lines and fittings)
Bennett's

 

[highN'dry]

Re: Hydraulic tabs vs Smart tabs

I don't understand the Smart Tab at all. Proper use of the tabs require that you should be able to bring the bow up for large waves as might occur when running an inlet to prevent the bow from punching in and capsizing the boat. With a Smart Tab they are always shoving the bow down even at low speed when you need to be able to get maximum bow lift for large waves. Seems like they would be dangerous for boats used big water, I guess on small lakes they would be OK.

Lenco electrics on our BW Outrage:

Helm controllable tabs come in several varieties, the two big players are Lenco (electric) and Bennett (hydraulic) and both work well. The can trim the boat left or right or bow down or bow up.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Hydraulic tabs vs Smart tabs

keep in mind smart tabs are always moving. you can still run bow high, just have to keep it at there with the throttle. smart tabs also tend to work like actual shock absorbers, the bow doesn't go nearly as high when riding up a wave, but it also doesn't slam down as hard when coming off a wave.

i've run them on a 14.5 jet boat in fairly large swells, and i noticed a big difference vs running without them. i still could point the front end up if i needed to, but it was fairly comfortable fully up on plane.

 

[SS194]

Re: Hydraulic tabs vs Smart tabs

Search PR500. It's an adjustable mount for the Smart Tab. I found this video just before ordering my blemished Smart Tab SX. I ordered the mount also.

Steve

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4-RF8OtKcw

 

[nlain]

Re: Hydraulic tabs vs Smart tabs

I run the rivers and sound, the sound can get pretty rough at times, I have had no problem adjusting the boat to match the water with Smart Tabs. I do not go outside in the ocean so I cannot make a statement on that part but in the sounds and rivers there is no problem.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Hydraulic tabs vs Smart tabs

QC's list looks right on too me.

To that end I have decided to put smart tabs on this winter for next year. The reasons are that they are cheap and according to reviews work extremely well. I just can't seem to justify the helm adjustable ones for my 20' open bow boat. Now I know if I put them on that I would love them and not regret it, but I think I will save that for a bigger boat!

 

[skargo]

Re: Hydraulic tabs vs Smart tabs

I don't understand the Smart Tab at all. Proper use of the tabs require that you should be able to bring the bow up for large waves as might occur when running an inlet to prevent the bow from punching in and capsizing the boat. With a Smart Tab they are always shoving the bow down even at low speed when you need to be able to get maximum bow lift for large waves. Seems like they would be dangerous for boats used big water, I guess on small lakes they would be OK.

Lenco electrics on our BW Outrage:

Helm controllable tabs come in several varieties, the two big players are Lenco (electric) and Bennett (hydraulic) and both work well. The can trim the boat left or right or bow down or bow up.

I tend to agree. With the Chesapeake I find myself adjusting the tabs independently of each other. I love my Bennett tabs, they really help in different conditions.
I think my boat is big and heavy enough to warrant using adjustables over set it and forget it Smart Tabs.

My Bennetts are the dual actuator models, probably overkill but they came with the boat.

 

[highN'dry]

Re: Hydraulic tabs vs Smart tabs

Your Bennett install is great!

Boats tend to lean into the wind, helm adjustable tabs allow you to level the boat so it does not slam into waves under these conditions and also to reduce spray.

All I know and have ever done and always been told by wise men of the sea, a following sea, big water, tabs full bow up (tabs retracted) unless you want to see green water roll over the boat. I would be afraid to use non adjustable spring loaded tabs in these conditions.

The Lencos made such a huge difference in our boat, the ride was greatly improved in chop (I cannot emphasize that enough), I can trim for unequal loads and seaworthiness was not affected as would be the case with non adjustable tabs like Smart Tabs.