Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

[Drowned Rat]

Hi guys. I'm trying to install the Smart tabs on my 17' Sea Ray. The transom has a molded swim platform that is interfering with the installation. With the tab in the position shown, the transom bracket will have to be mounted to the molded part of the transom. Can it be mounted this way? If I move the tab further outboard, the bracket has to be mounted even higher on the molded transom. I can't go inboard enough to avoid it. Is installation impossible on this boat?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

Contact John at Nauticus. They are very helpful with situations like yours and have probably done dozens of boats like yours.

 

[nlain]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

You can do it, I did on a 185Sport and they work great, do call John and talk to him, I have read some info on moving the tab bracket to the rear of the tab to help with the angle of the cylinder. Here are some photos of mine, I did not know about moving the bracket when I installed mine.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

Silvertip & nlain;

Thanks for posting the pictures, i am sure it will help everyone with this type of application.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

Alright, thanks for the great pictures nlain. That's exactly what mine will look like. I was wondering if mounting it this way would affect the force needed to compress the piston. It seems to me that it would require more force. I'm assuming this could be overcome by moving the ball on the trim plate bracket down some?? Not sure. You're happy with the results though?

Also, nlain, do the tabs interfere with the swim ladder? And did you use a sealant for the screws or did you just use the sealant tape that came with the kit?

 

[nlain]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

I am perfectly happy with the results, I say they do everything advertised. The tabs do not interfere with the swim ladder and yes I used sealant in the screw holes, on the screws and I used the sealant tape that was supplied. I used a sealant that would stay soft so the screws could be removed later if needed. You may want to look into moving the bracket on the tab to the back hole and drill a new hole to complete the mounting, that would change the angle of the cylinder a little. Call John and talk to him so he can explain it all to you.

Website: http://www.nauticusinc.com/

Phone:800-233-0194

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

Thanks nlain, great info. Where is Midway, I used to live in Athens, GA.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

Also remember to keep the 25* angle that the instructions tell you about.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

Thanks for the help everyone. I got them installed and they look fine. Now for a test run this weekend.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

Thanks for the help everyone. I got them installed and they look fine. Now for a test run this weekend.

What, no pics? :'(

 

[nlain]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

Thanks nlain, great info. Where is Midway, I used to live in Athens, GA.

The Midway I live in is South of Savannah, Ga, there are several in Ga.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

RP, I'm ashamed at the soot I never cleaned off the transom. Especially after seeing nlain's boat. Going to the lake Saturday, I'll post some after the trip, and after I clean it up a bit.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

Okay back from the lake, here are the pics. I think they turned out great and they do work! Thanks for all the help.

Here's one of the drive shower I put on too.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

Great pics! someone was brave hanging over the transom at speed....:%

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

Looks great DR. I'm glad it all worked out for ya. I also see in the last pic you posted who was leaning over the transom taking those pics. SHAME on YOU. :^

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Smart tabs help. 17' Sea Ray

Thanks RP, he's a trooper.8)