Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

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huvrluvr

Cadet
Joined
Jul 21, 2011
Messages
6
Does anyone have any opinions on what they prefer? Looking at getting some, and trying to decide what would be better. My Specs are 2005 Larson Senza 186 and as the name inplies 18'6" with the 5.0GL engine.
 
A

Another retired guy

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Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

huvrluvr said:
Does anyone have any opinions on what they prefer? Looking at getting some, and trying to decide what would be better. My Specs are 2005 Larson Senza 186 and as the name inplies 18'6" with the 5.0GL engine.
Click to expand...

I'm also looking at this issue and am leaning towards the Stainless model.
The location of the bracket is adjustable ( from 10.5" down to 7.5" ) as I have limited space under my swim ladder. The SX is fixed at 10.5".
Also water is very shallow around my dock so will need the ability to lock the tabs in the UP position when docking, and I think this feature is only available with the ST.
 
J

joewithaboat

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Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

I have the SX on a 19 foot bowrider and love them. Don't under estimate how far down the transom and in the water they are on an in/out stern-drive boat. If you are thinking you can just lean over and use the flip up option you might be mistaken. On mine you would have to be swimming in the water to adjust them. All hulls will of course be different.
 
U

UncleWillie

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Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

I would recommend the SX version if you can get them to fit within your constraints.

The SX versions project 3.5 inch below the hull bottom at their mounting locations.
Assuming an 18 ft boat with ~18 deg of dead-rise, with the tabs mounted just inside of the chines, this would typically place the tabs about a foot above the keel.

The Trim tabs will not touch bottom until the hull was a foot deep in the mud!
Your lower drive and prop are going to be a much bigger issue unless you normally dock using oars!
 
A

Another retired guy

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Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

Posts 3 & 4 raise good points applicable to my situation. I'll be doing some careful measuring next time boat is out of the water. Not rowing into dock yet, but bow is in the mud and outdrive in trailer position for last few feet in, and first few feet out and lake level is still dropping:(
(Idle speed only of course!)
 
TJDave

TJDave

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May 6, 2009
Messages
184
Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

I have owned and installed both. I had the SX model for my previous 18' boat w/6cyl I/O. I have the stainless version on my current 20' bowrider w/v8 I/O.

Both models work excellent and do everything they claim to do.
I chose the stainless this time due to recommendations with a heavier boat with a V8 engine.
I also ordered the optional bracket this time to be able to flip the tabs up for beaching. I have never needed to use them, yet.
The SX version are a little easier to mount, only due to the fact that the angle of the tab is pre-set to hang at 25 degrees. The stainless version will drop all the way down when installing, so you have to use a cardboard template. No big deal.

Either one would work for your boat. I prefer the stainless.

DSCN2142-1.jpg


1307796315.jpg
 
jdlough

jdlough

Master Chief Petty Officer
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824
Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

I got the plastic SX, but now I wish I got the stainless.

Not for any real big-deal reason. It's just that these tabs are so cheap for the major upgrade in boat handling you get, that I might as well have spent the extra $100 for the snazzy stainless. Plus, the SX works in most install situations; the stainless works in almost all.

The stainless just looks more expensive boat-ish, like real Bennett tabs or such. :rolleyes:

Either way, before you go drilling holes in your transom, I would seriously consider the ProTroller upper mount. If you install that mount normally, it lets you flip the tabs completely out of the water. If you install it upside-down, it lets you lower the tabs full down to act as a break for slow trolling. http://www.nauticusinc.com/nauticus_pro_troller.html

You can buy the new ProTroller upper mount separately and retrofit your normal Nauticus Tabs, but it's better to just get it first, to avoid drilling extra holes in the transom if you decide to upgrade.

At any rate, I got the SX 3 years ago. I'm in brackish (saltish) water. One of my actuators (shock absorbers) failed early this year, one year out of warranty. Nauticus replaced it for free anyway. It would have failed weather I had plastic SX or the stainless.
 
superbenk

superbenk

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Oct 27, 2008
Messages
2,033
Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

iBoats had factory blemish Smart Tabs on sale back when I bought mine (SX version). I have yet to this day been able to find the blemish that allowed me to get them for about $20 off! Sadly, I don't see that deal on iBoats anymore. :( Regardless, whichever version you get, you'll be thrilled with them. Definitely worth every penny of the $100 I spent on them!
 
S

smoedog

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 25, 2012
Messages
238
Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

I bought the SX for my 92 glasstron but was unable to install them due to my transom design. It slopes up from the keel to swim platform. so I couldn't install it. Thats what I get from shopping on ebay drunk.
 
G

generator12

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Jul 9, 2010
Messages
666
Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

I put a pair of the regular ones on my Four Winns Horizon. EXCELLENT item. Improved handling immensely. I am 100% satisfied with these and in my case would have no need for the SX units.
 
U

UncleWillie

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Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

joewithaboat said:
...If you are thinking you can just lean over and use the flip up option you might be mistaken...
Click to expand...

The Upper Tab mount is going to be in the general vicinity of the stern eyes. ;)
If you can not easily touch your stern eyes from inside of the boat, you will not be able to adjust the Tabs either. :D
 
superbenk

superbenk

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Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

UncleWillie said:
The Upper Tab mount is going to be in the general vicinity of the stern eyes. ;)
If you can not easily touch your stern eyes from inside of the boat, you will not be able to adjust the Tabs either. :D
Click to expand...

Not necessarily:
IMG_4990.JPG
 
U

UncleWillie

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Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

Another retired guy said:
... but bow is in the mud and outdrive in trailer position for last few feet in, and first few feet out and lake level is still dropping. (Idle speed only of course!)
Click to expand...

The Outdrive in the Trailering position is for use with the motor OFF!
Accidentally running the motor with the outdrive all the way up is not good, but will not destroy it if you accidentally forget. :(
I would not do it intentionally on a regular basis! :eek:
 
U

UncleWillie

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Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

Another retired guy said:
The Outdrive in the Trailering position is for use with the motor OFF!

Yes, I'm aware of that, but it's only for 10 feet or so at minimum revs. Only other option is to "pole" it in & out!
Click to expand...

I don't want to sound like Mister Doom and Gloom, but just so you are making an informed decision....

Running the motor in the trailering position is very rough on the "U-Joint".
It can tolerate the 15-20 degree offset typical of running trim, but trailering trim has it close to 60 degrees! :(

Also understand that the U-Joint is spinning WHENEVER the engine is running, NOT just when in gear.
Trailering Position, Motor Running, In gear and powering the boat, even for a few seconds, is a triple Whammie!

Also if you are that shallow, you are likely turning up a lot of muck off the bottom.
This muddy water is the cooling water you are pumping through the engine.
 
A

Another retired guy

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Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

UncleWillie said:
I don't want to sound like Mister Doom and Gloom, but just so you are making an informed decision....


Also if you are that shallow, you are likely turning up a lot of muck off the bottom.
This muddy water is the cooling water you are pumping through the engine.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the info and will see if I can get out of our dock area just on normal trim up. Nothing much I can do about the muddy water though, and having the drive lower will make it worse:(
 
J

joewithaboat

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Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

Sounds like you need to add a trolling motor....
 
J

joewithaboat

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Re: Smart Tabs Vs. Smart Tabs SX

Another retired guy said:
That is a good idea:) There is a mount on the transom for a trolling motor - I'll look into it.
I'll start a new thread for opinions on electric vs gas. Thanks
Click to expand...

The new electric are pretty tough to beat... light, inexpensive and very strong for what they are.
 
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