Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

[farmerj2000]

Hello all. <br /><br />I have been reading through the forum now for a couple of months learning all I can about boating. Thanks for all the info. <br /><br />Just purchased my first boat and had it in the water a couple of times already. I took my boat to a mechanic to get checked out and the first thing he said to me was that my boat took for ever to plain out, and suggested I purchase a Hydrofoil to help. Well sure enough when I first had her out I was surprised how slow the boat plains<br /><br />So I did some research mainly on here and determined Smart Tabs were the way to go. I ordered them and pulled them out of the box. I have question or concerns of placement. My boat does not have long enough straight line to mount them. Will that cause drag or issues working correctly? I also determine I might have a issue mounting them under the swimming platform. Any good rules of thumb to follow? Pictures might better show what I'm talking about <br /><br />I also just purchased a Hydrofoil because of this. There is already holes from the previous owner and I can spare the 50 bucks so I thought I might try that first.<br /><br />Boat<br /><br />20' 1988 Renken Classic Bow Rider<br /><br />OMC Cobra 128 HP

 

[QC]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

Personally I hate hydrofoils and they can intorduce other problems. I just installed these on a friend's boat. Swim platform and short transom were both an issue. We will need a pic of your boat to help more I think.<br /><br /> Smart Tabs short transom

 

[farmerj2000]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

When I get home tonight I will take some pictures. Basically what I'm saying is the length of the hinge is longer than any straight edge on the hull/transom. I'm pretty sure I got the right size for the boat but maybe because of the design of the hull I should of purchased smaller smart tabs.<br /><br />Thanks for the response and great a looking job on the installation of the tabs.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

Post Some Pics and NautiJohn the President of smart tabs will advise you what to do.<br />You can't get any better customer service!!<br />I will tell every boater i know to buy this product!

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

Farmerj;<br /><br />Send the pictures to john@nauticusinc.com and I will respond ASAP. <br /><br />In any event do not run both the hydrofoil and Smart Tabs. You will induce handling issues especially at higher speeds.<br /><br />If the former owner had installed a hydrofoil previously and it was removed when you got it, you may be suspicious as to the overall performance. <br /><br />The more you run the boat the more you will learn it's characteristics.<br /><br />By the way, once you have the opportunity to run the boat with Smart Tabs - report to your dealer.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

FarmerJ, I just went thru the same thing.i put the hydrofoil on and took it right back off..It caused all kinds of handling problems.Not saying it would do it on yours but the smart tabs are a better way to go altogether.I had a 16 ft renken with a merc outboard and the foil was ok on it.<br />I think the bigger boats like yours would benefit more from the smart tabs..Just my opinion.

 

[ZR8RIDER]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

Will smart tabs slow down the top speed of a boat. I have a 17.5 bowrider and am thinking of trying them? Farmer I had the hydrofoil on the boat for 10 minutes. I hated the damn thing. Changed the steering and total character of the boat. Listed to the side at take off. Got my money back from West Marines. Good luck with your project. ZR

 

[vipzach]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

Originally posted by ZR800RIDER:<br /> Will smart tabs slow down the top speed of a boat. ZR

No, they are not supposed too, from what I have read about them, they can actually increase it. <br /><br />nautijohn, I have some questions and concerns about installing some smart tabs on my 1991 vip vision. It would probably be best to post or send some pics. Would it be ok if I send you some pics or would you rather I jut start my own thread? Thanks Zach<br /><br />farmer, sorry about asking my question in your thread!

 

[farmerj2000]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

Ok sorry for the delay, had to take the boat out yesterday <br /><br />Here is a picture of the transom<br /><br />

<br /><br />

<br /><br />Basically the hinge is longer than the length of any transom/hull line. Also on the other side there is a swim platform the looks like will be in the way if I go the ends of the transom. Hope I making sense.

 

[farmerj2000]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

o and excuse the dirt I had the boat out in the Potomac occoquan bay yesterday.

 

[stevens]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

You seem to me to have plenty of space:<br /><br />

<br /><br />If you already have the tabs on hand, why not just hold them up to the transom and see where they fit?<br /><br />You'll be pleased with what they do for the ride. Just don't overdo it on the pressure setting, and follow the instructions to the letter. Good luck!

 

[farmerj2000]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

On all of the pictures I seen I thought they were installed only on a straight edge. I thought of placing them there but didn't know if that would cause some weird effects because of the bump. I wanted to make sure before drilling holes in the transom<br /><br />Thanks for the help.<br /><br />NautiJohn does that look correct to you as well?

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

Originally posted by Stevens:<br /> You seem to me to have plenty of space:<br /><br />

<br /><br />If you already have the tabs on hand, why not just hold them up to the transom and see where they fit?<br /><br />You'll be pleased with what they do for the ride. Just don't overdo it on the pressure setting, and follow the instructions to the letter. Good luck!

------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Nice illustration post Stevens, that should work qite well.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

My thanks to everyone who contributed. Makes our job easier.

 

[QC]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

farmerj,<br /><br />Every set of tabs I have installed had some contact with a "bump". Also known as a strake . . .

 

[farmerj2000]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

Originally posted by QC:<br /> farmerj,<br /><br />Every set of tabs I have installed had some contact with a "bump". Also known as a strake . . .

I knew there had to be word. LOL<br /><br />Thanks for help. I will let you know how it goes. From what I have read I should be very happy.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

I love my smart tabs, made the boat handle much better, I lost a couple of MPH on the top end, but I hope to get that out with adjustment.

 

[paulie0735]

Re: Purchased Smart Tabs-Have Installation questions

I lost a couple also but could adjust it out no problem. I did find that I went back to the original setting however because for the 99% of the time that I’m below WOT the results were better on the (original) harder setting. For me the big issue was my boats nose in the air attitude during the hole shot, the hull also drifted badly in tight fast turns, it now handles like its on rails and the hole shot is almost dead flat. I can't tell anybody enough how impressed I am with the transformation.