Smart Tabs permanent list correction

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stevens

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 4, 2005
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799
I posted the question below over at the Nauticusinc.com website for NautiJohn to answer, but please feel free to chime in.<br /><br />A quick question for you about list correction:<br /><br />Due to the load imbalance of my boat it constantly leans to the port side, both at standstill and at speed. This is made worse when there are passengers on board, and when we accellerate due to increased propeller torque. The little trim tab had to go when we changed to a steel propeller. At full planing speed the boat still leans a bit, although less.<br /><br />In other words, I need to adjust the pressure of the left Smart Tab to correct for the list.<br /><br />Any hints or guidelines for how much I should adjust it? Or do I just have to try different settings until I get it right?<br /><br />The 1290-80 tabs are currently both set with the pressure setting about 1/4 from the lightest setting.<br /><br />I was thinking to keep this setting on the starboard tab, and set the port tab to the halfway point. Does this sound like a reasonable difference? <br /><br />Anyone else who have successfully done this?
 
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boatster

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 13, 2004
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331
Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

Hi Stevens,<br /><br />It would make sense to me if you simply put more pressure on the side that was leaning. I think just set and go, set and go, set and go, until its even. To be honest I never messed with the pressure setting on my Nautics before. After my experience with the Lencos you can be sure I'm going to do alot of fiddling to find the best setup for me. :)
 
jurgenscraft

jurgenscraft

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Nov 6, 2004
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227
Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

Can you not physcially correct the load imbalance, instead of having one trim tap adjusted a lot more than the other put your boat trailer on wheel scales ( bathroom scales of the correct capacity.) and then move weight about onboard to get the balance equal from port to staboard like I do with my race car,as well as my boat, works for me, I do not have to use trim tabs etc, Kind Regards William Wright.
 
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AntsGrady

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jun 28, 2003
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186
Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

boatster<br /><br />What was your experience with the Lencos?
 
S

stevens

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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May 4, 2005
Messages
799
Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

Jurgens Craft - No, a good suggestion, but unfortunately the weight imbalance cannot be moved around as it consists of the anchor windlass with 30 meters of chain, the battery, the diesel holding tank and the passenger seating.<br /><br />Taking off the little trim tab above the propeller seems to have made the list more pronounced, especially during accelleration. I'll also try to find a different trim tab compatible with the new propeller, but that will still not solve the problem.<br /><br />I am hoping the smart tabs will allow me to compensate for the list. However, I won't have many tries to get it right as lifting the boat up costs both time and money each time. I was thus hoping for a best guess tab adjustment first time out...
 
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stevens

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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May 4, 2005
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Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

On a related note; if I put that small trim tab above the propeller back on, it should probably turn a little towards one of the sides.<br /><br />If my boat leans to the left (port side lower), should that small fin then also point to the left? - i.e. trailing edge towards left, as a rudder making a left turn.<br /><br />Or is it the other way around?
 
Jdeagro

Jdeagro

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1,682
Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

Stevens; <br />Reduce the pressure on the starboard side to the bottom and increase the port side to about 1/3 from the lowest. Make sure you trim the motor up when you are at cruising speeds. Too much bow in the water will exaggerate the list. This may also help the torque steering.
 
S

stevens

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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May 4, 2005
Messages
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Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

Thank you.<br /><br />Yes, I have trimmed the engine out to the point where the boat will start to porpoise and the prop start to ventilate, then back in some. Runs very nicely at 34,5 knots at WOT of 4500, but with a list...<br /><br />Will receive the new Turbo propeller and small trim tab later this week. Will put both on, set the small trim tab pointing straight backwards (unless told otherwise in the meantime in the other thread), and adjust smart tabs as instructed above. Hope this will work out, and will report back on the result.<br /><br />Thanks again.
 
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danie

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 11, 2005
Messages
154
Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

Do and test one adjustment at a time.
 
B

boatster

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 13, 2004
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331
Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

Originally posted by AntsGrady:<br /> boatster<br /><br />What was your experience with the Lencos?
Click to expand...
AntsGrady,<br /><br />After taking them out for 2 offshore trips I realized they just didn't work well for my setup. Actually they didn't work well at all. I already removed them and put my Smart Tabs back on. When properly trimmed the Lencos would drag my economy down and was a rougher ride. I came off plane easier if I trimmed back too much. I had to always trim down to start out without porpoising and the extra controls were an overall pain for me. I really took for granted what the Smart Tabs did for my setup. Not anymore. However I would say the build and make of the Lencos was quite impressive. I really like the build of the actuators, switch and tabs. For my rib it was just not the call. I can see for a much larger boat trim tabs would be a must but not for mine. <br /><br />Boatster,
 
Jdeagro

Jdeagro

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Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

Choosing the best trim tabs system for your boat starts with consideration for the purpose and use of the boat. Helm controlled tabs are very usefull and in my estimation manditory on certain boats. If the boat is large enough, draws enough water, is high profile, wide, and heavy then the choice is easy. Helm controlled tabs! The choice becomes more difficult as the application move down to the smaller boats, and their function.<br /><br />In your case, the activity, and use is more suited to Smart Tabs and the automatic / active system. After using them for some time it is interesting how we tend to forget how much they actually do to controll the boat.
 
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stevens

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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May 4, 2005
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Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

Quick update:<br /><br />When finally having braced myself for the dip in the not quite freezing water, it became obvious why my boat had developed a list lately; the left actuator had come off from the tab. No wonder the boat was leaning to the left, and no, it was not that my buddy had gained weight either.<br /><br />After calling on the dealer, and also receiving prompt & generous support from NautiJohn, I am now waiting for some replacement parts for the smart tabs. Expect to have these on hand by the weekend, and will then mount both smart tab actuators, the new propeller, and little trim tab above propeller.<br /> <br />Meanwhile, I have also purchased one of these:<br /><br />
clinomet.jpg
<br /><br />Took the boat out for a spin tonight, with the tabs disconnected, and measured the tilt/lean, pull and bow rise in every which way. That little tilt meter worked really well. Will measure the same after the various new stuff comes on. Hope to report back on this next week.<br /><br />Meanwhile,thanks to NautiJohn for his terrific support, and to the rest of you for your good input.
 
QC

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

Stevens,<br /><br />Where did you find that Silva thing. Did a quick search and nothing came up, but I want one . . .
 
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stevens

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 4, 2005
Messages
799
Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

Check this out:<br /><br /> http://www.silva.se/marine/ <br /><br />They seem to have dealers worldwide.<br /><br />Edit: Their US dealer is Comnav, with 26 licenced retailers in California:<br /><br /> http://www.comnavmarine.com/ <br /><br />This Silva Clinometer has part no. 20710065 in Comnav's system.
 
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stevens

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 4, 2005
Messages
799
Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

That's a nice one, too. The key words are "properly dampened". About the same price as Silva actually. Get the double scale one - much more useful for fine tuning. All my side-to-side tilt fell within the 5 degree scale, and the maximum bow rise was about 17 degrees (without tabs). I can't wait to get the same numbers with the tabs back in place.
 
QC

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

Yeah, I figured the double scale was the only way to fly. If I can't "feel" 5 degrees then I need to find another hobby . . . Actually wish they had one with only the 5 degree scale.
 
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stevens

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 4, 2005
Messages
799
Re: Smart Tabs permanent list correction

I didn't want to spend the money on two separate scales to measure both port-starboard and fore-aft tilt at the same time. Instead, I fastened it with masking tape, measured what I needed of sideways tilt, then turned it 90 degrees to measure fore-aft bowrise.<br /><br />Once the experimentation is done with, it will probably end up mounted on the dash to measure sideways weight distribution.
 
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