Smart Tabs Broke!

hdradaza

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 21, 2007
Messages
92
I have the smart tabs sx series made for 15-19' boats ( SX9510-60BL ). I have a somewhat heavy hull and was adviced by other boaters to put it to the heaviest setting (# 5 hole away from the transom ?).

We were running with a full load that day (7 pax).

I noticed on the way back that the boat was again porpoising. Upon beaching I checked and my biggest fear was what I saw. The port side tab broke as seen in the picture below.

Granted, the ladder is on the same side and between the transom and the ladder there is probaby around 10" clearance. That day, I had 5 first timers with me.

My question (hopefully jdeagro will answer) is... could it have

a)been broken because someone accidentally stepped through the ladder (or stepped on it directly) and broke it?

b)had the wrong type of tabs or had it in the wrong setting ?

** B comes to mind because in another thread not too long ago, jdeagro told me that having it in the #5 setting was too much.
2368182875_313e0e4d63.jpg

2368186391_b760e75ace.jpg
 

nlain

Commander
Joined
Nov 17, 2005
Messages
2,445
Re: Smart Tabs Broke!

Having them set in the strongest setting would only hold the bow down too much not break the tab. These tabs are designed to run in which ever setting it takes to make them and the boat perform properly. Having too much pressure on the tabs would keep the bow down and make you use a lot more fuel at slower speeds because you could not get the boat out of the water on a proper plane. I would think more along the lines of someone stepping on the tab either directly or through the ladder. As to the type tab you have 9510 either 60 or 80 lb actuators, you have the lighter of the two so that should not be the problem either.
 

LubeDude

Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
6,945
Re: Smart Tabs Broke!

With the testing that I have done with the SX Tabs, that has happened to me also. The new end peices are threaded and work much better. Contact John and he will make it right with you.
 

sickwilly

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Messages
1,089
Re: Smart Tabs Broke!

Can you beach them on the shore like that and they not break?
 

hdradaza

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 21, 2007
Messages
92
Re: Smart Tabs Broke!

well, I ordered my new set already anyways. This time I will make it a point to tell all new riders about the tabs and the ladder.

I'm thinking this time, I will keep records of my testing. Logging the WOT RPM and top speed from no tabs to holes #1 thru 5. This should be the easiest way of determining what the optimal hole is right?
 

Benny1963

Lieutenant
Joined
Sep 17, 2006
Messages
1,476
Re: Smart Tabs Broke!

mr deagro answered your other post willing to replace maybe you can stop your purchace let us know how it goes
i will be useing some soon
bennyb
 
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