Smart/Mobster Tabs Problems

[pilot4net]

I have posted on here several times about having a issue with porpoising on my boat and I have gotten some really good responses, most of which point toward using smart tabs or monster tabs. I did what some of you suggested and contacted my dealer friday and spoke to him about my issues. He said that the 50 mph I was getting was about the average for the setup I had. He then said that other owners wanted a little more out of their rig so they offered trim tabs to allow the user to trim the motor more without porpoising therefore decreasing the wetted surface and increasing the top speed, some as much as to 60 mph. I asked him what type they used and he said that they have them there in his shop and they were $80 parts and labor installed. I asked them if they were adjustable and he stated that "no, they are welded to the boat". Well after getting the idea behind the self adjusting trim tabs, I can understand the benefits of these type over the fixed ones he's offering me. So I told him I was ordering the Mobster Tabs online and he told me he'd install them but would not warranty the install. He asked me how they were connected to the boat and I told him with about 6 screws on the tabs themselves and another couple on the strut mount. He then expressed a concern about the screws or screw holes becoming "wallowed out" after time due to the amount of pressure on the tabs and the screws becoming a leak concern after a couple of years of use. This is a concern I had when I first thought about buying them. So I ask all of you who have been using Nauticus' products on your boats or know someone who has, have you seen or heard of any problems such as the screws becoming loose, screws stripping out, or any other problems with these tabs? I will be mounting these tabs to an aluminum boat, would you all think that with aluminum's rather soft nature (when compared to steel, since that's all I work with) it would become a problem more so on the aluminum hulled boats vs. the fiberglass ones? I really am looking forward to getting these tabs on my boat, but in the same breath I don't want to introduce a leak issue into a new boat. I know you all are far more knowledgeable in these areas than I am, so I would appreciate all the information you could give me on my questions or concerns with this. Thanks.

 

[stevens]

Re: Smart/Mobster Tabs Problems

I was concerned also about drilling 14 new holes, all below the waterline, but searched the many hundred threads here at iboats and didn't find anyone who had actually experienced leaking.<br /><br />However, I still felt uneasy and opted to replace the strips of foam sealant, that came with the kit, with Sikaflex. A good dose in and around the holes so that it was squeezed out on all sides when I tightened the screws. The holes go through the transom, and on the inside it seems to keep perfectly dry. Given how well the tabs works, I am glad I got over it.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart/Mobster Tabs Problems

pilot4net;<br /><br />Even if you use additional sealant such as suggested of 3M5200 or 3M4200, please use the sealant foam we provide iin addition. The reason is that you have an aluminum boat, and the trim tabs are stainless steel. The material we provide creates an insolating barrior between dissimilar metals to aviod corrosion. <br /><br />As for the screws loosening and creating a leak, even helm controlled tabs are installed in this manner, and they create far mor stress on the hardware since they are rigid.<br /><br />AS for welding a tab on the bottom of your boat to bend up or down, it only shows how far behind the dealer and the manufacturers are who advocate this method. This permanently changes the hull design and it is a serious compromise to the over all handling of the boat.