Smart Tab Test

[ae708]

Well today I FINALLY got to take the boat to the lake.. first time after installing the tabs. I was impressed with the way it changed my boat. It used to bow steer terribly at "no wake" speeds. Now it goes pretty straight.. almost totally eliminated the bow steer. It planes in about half the time it took before. Crossing wakes is much smoother. I don't think that it affected my top speed as it felt about the same and the RPM's didn't change. However, for some reason my speedometer wasn't working. Is it possible that the tabs may be diverting the water away from the hole in the foot? How the heck does the speedometer on a Mercruiser I/O work anyway? One more thing I noticed is that if I have the trim up while cruising at low RPM's (which I can do now, below 3000 which I had a hard time doing before) and I hit the throttle wide open I get prop blowout.. I didn't before. I have to nudge the trim button down a bit before the prop will bite again. All in all I am happy with the way the boat handles. I need to get my speedometer working or buy a GPS before I can fine tune the tabs.

 

[ED21]

Re: Smart Tab Test

As for the prop blowout, I would guess the stern isn't buried in the water like it probably was with out the tabs.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tab Test

ae708;<br /><br />You are triming the motor up too much, Ed is correct. Find the point where the motor is perpendicular to the surface and crusie at this setting. Also if you have not picked up speed and RPMs, you can - simply move the Actuator closer to the plate on the plate bracket ( down the slot ). By reducing the effective lift pressure you will be able to bring the bow up a bit more, and increase the speed.

 

[ae708]

Re: Smart Tab Test

How in the world does one drive the boat and see if the motor is perpendicular? I just trim it for max speed.

 

[Bayrider]

Re: Smart Tab Test

Hi ae708 . <br /> If you,re trimming for max speed then that means you,re running the boat at WOH for long periods of time.ae,this isn,t good for the engine.

 

[ae708]

Re: Smart Tab Test

Bayrider.. I know that WOT for a long time isn't good for the engine but engines can be rebuilt and it sure is fun running that way. However, most of the time I'm cruising along around 3500-4000. I still want to know how you know if your outdrive is perpendicular to the water without being able to see it.

 

[Bayrider]

Re: Smart Tab Test

Art <br /> On my boat I would go by the sound of the engine and then check the trim gauge.That way you always know how far to trim.Off course it depends on the load you are pulling each time you go out.I,ve noticed that the more you trim,the more the engine will scream its head off.So if you know your engine you will know when it sounds happy or when you are hurting it.

 

[ae708]

Re: Smart Tab Test

I have no trim gauge so I guess I'll just have to play it by ear....pun intended.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Smart Tab Test

The proper setting of trim is when the front-end comes up slightly and you feel the steering get light, or "easy"...That is a properly trimmed boat.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart Tab Test

ae708;<br /><br />I understand that you can not look over the transom to see if the motor is perpendicular, and this is generally not necessary. As others have said, trim the motor out a little at a time and whatch your speed and RPMs. When you maximize both note the trim indicator for future reference. As Bayrider said the load will come into play as well.