Smart Tab Install-results

[LubeDude]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

Nautijohn:<br /><br />Send me your mailing address, I have a set of actuators I need to send back to you. Or just post it here.<br /><br />Sorry, I plum didnt think about it untill now.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

LubeDude;<br /><br />No problem. call 800-233-0194 and/or send them to 8080 Snowville Rd.<br />Brecksville, Ohio 44141<br /><br />Hope all is well with you and yours.

 

[dutch135]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

Ok, yesterday I bought and installed a 23P prop.. aluminum. Took her out, and wow, was the lake busy! A bit of northwest wind, and it made for rough going. We anchored and swam for most of the afternoon... then did some cruising. I found the 23 certainly didn't have the hole shot.. but I could not get myself close to top speed.(where I was with the 21P) I am blaming this on a couple of factors... rough water, and possibly the wrong actuators still. Hopefully the 60's will arive shortly and I can try this prop a little more and see how it works out. What bit I could get opened up, seemed to be in the mid 4' for RPM, although speed was considerably less. Again, till I get out in calmer water, and get the new actuators on I'm not going to rule out this prop. I didn't have too much a problem getting on plane, and mid range performance was good, although I did experience some ventilation a couple times.. again I'm blaming the rough water and 80 lb actuators...<br />Has me thinking maybe a 4-blade is just what the dr ordered!

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

dutch135;<br /><br />Make one change at a time otherwise you will never know what is best!

 

[solidwaste75]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

nautijohn I have a 16.5ft tri hull would these smart taps stop this terrible porposing i get when cruising it really bounces like crazy..I was thinking of getting them anyway due to my extreme bow rise at low speeds..

 

[dutch135]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

John,<br />When I get the 60 lb actuators,, I'll switch props back out and see how things go with the 21. I always wanted to try the 23 before the tabs, because of my WOT RPM.. but it it ends up the 23 isn't just right for me, I can ebay or keep it for a spare.. it's like new.<br />I will make the indicator for the tabs too before I go out with the new actuators.. it will be interesting to see how they move while they are working.<br />thanks again for your input<br /><br />and Solidwaste, <br />you certainly will love them.. they do what<br />they say they will do!

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

Solid;<br /><br />One of the biggest benefits from Smart Tabs is the elimination of the porpoising. However you will find a lot more to be happy about as well. Now days a biggy is the improved fuel economy.

 

[rockyrr]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

Ok, you guys have me curious now. Are these "Smart Tabs" better than, say, Lenco electric trim tabs? Are they electric or hydraulic? Who sells them at the best price?<br /><br />Thanks,

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

Rocky R;<br /><br />It should not be a matter of which are better, it is a matter of the boat type and your use. If you have a sport boat vs. a destination boat then you may find Smart Tabs a better choice. For example a sport boat would be a boat in the 17' to 22' range used as the family fish and ski boat. In this situation the owner is involved in additional activities besides the piloting of the boat. The convenience of having an automatic system would be an advantage. <br /><br />Let's assume you have a 30' sedan bridge which is used to cruise from one destination to the other in open seas. You may need and want to have helm controlled Tabs.<br /><br />There are any number of reasons and opinions regarding the type of Trim Tabs you may choose, and you can find these on this web site as well as others. The first thing I would do is look at the way you use your boat.<br /><br />Smart Tabs can be purchased here from iboats, or major retailers in your area such as West Marine, Boat US, Bass Pro Shops, or Overton's.

 

[dutch135]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

UPDATE:<br />Put the 60lb actuators on, still didn't like the 23P prop. I ended up in range in RPM, 4700, but top speed seemed off a bit, 42-44. It just seems funny, almost as if the Prop isn't just right. I also noticed that if I overtrimmed the motor just a bit, I lost all of my bite on the water, and the prop ventilated. That means just about stopping to get regripped and going again. Don't like that, reminded me too much of an outboard I had! <br />So, back on with the 21P prop again, 60lb actuators, and quick run sunday was good.... although again not a smooth day for WOT. But, we did some cruising, and ended up trying to teach the 3 females with me to waterski, one got up , the other 2 almost did. Not bad for first time, with girls that never did anything like this before. <br />So, as the season around here is winding down, I may not be doing much more playing with the setup till next year. If I do get out, I want to make the indicator to watch the tabs and see if they are reacting as they should on plane.<br />AGain, the tabs have been made a huge difference in hole shot, and plane speed, and slow speed wander is all but gone. Thanks Nauticus<br />

 

[AJ168]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

Everyone says that Smart Tabs create more lift than a hydrofoil would, but a hydrofoil is shaped like an airplane's wings. True, Smart Tabs have double the surface area but they appear to be flat. It would seem to me that the hydrofoil would create more lift.

 

[voodoo]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

Got my boat (16 foot tri-hull bow rider with a 65 ob) out on the weekend after installing smart tabs last month.<br />It's a different boat altogether.<br />Planes faster and more smoothly, about 3 mph more with a load AND virtually eliminated the brutal porpoising problem.<br />This thing used to drive me nuts playing with the trim, to the point that I'd just leave it full bow down most of the time.<br />I can now use the full trim range depending on conditions and I even put the kicker back on.<br />I think I get better fuel economy too.<br />I'm a believer.<br />Thanks John, best $160 bucks I have spent on a boat.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

AJ168;<br /><br />The reason you will get more lift sooner with the trim tabs is the initial deployed angle. They are set to 25 degrees down to "cup" or dig into the water to keep the stern from dropping. Not only is the hydrofoil smaller (remember that the only additional surface is that which is in excess of the cavitation plate) but the attack angle is near level.<br /><br />The real down fall is at cruising speeds, when the foil continues to lift and increases lift as the speed increases. What you end up with is excessive stern lif which drives the bow into the water, then you need to trim the motor out to far to bring the bow up. The prop is compensating or fighting the hydrofoil. The end result is a loss of both economy and TOP speed, plus bow steering in corners. You will probably not beleave it until you experience the results.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

VooDoo;<br /><br />We are delighted that you are happy. Thank yo for the good words.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

Say Nautijohn:<br /><br />

Originally posted by dutch135:<br />[QBI also noticed that if I overtrimmed the motor just a bit, I lost all of my bite on the water, and the prop ventilated. [/QB]

Do you think that he still has a bit too much stern lift, or do you think that it is because of the aluminum prop not having any or enough cup?

 

[dutch135]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

LubeDude,<br />For some reason, I don't get this problem with the 21P prop. I'm wondering if maybe this newer prop I bought, even though it looked new, isn't all that great. It is a mercury prop. all of the numbers are stamped on it. I would have thought my top speed would have been better than it was though.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tab Install-results

LubeDude and Dutch;<br /><br />It is possible that the lift presure is too high, but I would be surprised if this was the only issue. The RPMs are good with the 23P but the speed is not there. I would reduced the presure a bit,and use the 23P again jus to check. I don't remember hearing what the top speed is without the Tabs working. If you don't know then simply pull them up (disconnect the actuator at the top and tie them up)and make a few runs. This will give you a base line.