Anyone running Smart Tabs by Nauticus?

[Catching Nemo]

Looking to install some tabs on the hull to help it get on plane faster and reduce planning speed. Side to side balance isn't much of an isssue, therefore I wasn't looking to go with electric/hydraulic adjustable tabs.

[Phil Layer]

Yup, gotem on my 19 foot plastic boat. This boat is somewhat underpowered but the smarttabs allow me to get up on plane and stay there.

For the price, they are a heck of a deal.

:cheers:

[Road Rage]

If side to side balance isn't a problem, try a hydorfoil/doelfin type device. It mounts to the anti-cavitation plate on the lower-unit of the big motor. I have one on my Trophy, and it made a dramatic diference in planing time, speed, etc. A lot cheaper and easier than trim tabs, plus there's nothing to wear out.

[Gundog]

I have a SE Sport 300 I put on my boat and it made a big difference on plaining at a lower speed and I have trim tabs. The hydro foil does not slow the boat down like the trim tabs when you sink them down.
Mike

[Road Rage]

I'm using the SE Sport 300 too. I couldn't remember what is was when I made my first post...

[Catching Nemo]

Thanks for the tips on the foil option. Hadn't considered one of those but will take a look.

[Gundog]

Catching Nemo,
I bought mine on ebay for about 40-50 bucks well worth the small investment.
Mike

[jdana29]

I have them on my Emerald Xp-4 13ft. Sportjet120, levels off fast, but thats all I can tell you,,boat not running right, so I can't give full review at this time. With that said, if I could do it over I would have bought the tabs that are on e-bay right now. First their Cheap at $110, and their adjustable, side to side, etc., two handle on the go adjustable. Go to e-bay motors and do a search on Boat parts. I think it says he has 100 pairs. I threw a few question to people who bought them, and I got some super feedback on them, everyone was really pleased. :grin:

[Waterfish]

I have them on my 18' glass cuddy cabin boat. Before I got the Nauticus tabs I had a Doel-fin on the outboard, and it didn't help much at all. The Nauticus trim tabs keep the boat on plane beautifully, have increase my top speed by at least 12 mph, and cut my fuel consumption way down. This was the best $200.00 improvement I've added to my boat.

[TrinhTD]

Waterfish: You're not kidding when you say it increases your top speed by 12 mph are you?

If I could get 2-3 mph out if this Tabs I am more than happy to pay $200 for them.

[Waterfish]

TrinhTD, No, I was not kidding. They might not give that much of a speed increase on some boats, but on my cuddy cabin, before the trim tabs, even with adjusting the power tilt, I had a hard time keeping the boat on plane. Even then, it would only plane at a certain speed. The Nauticus trim tabs put it on plane starting at about 8 mph, and keep it on a beautiful plane all the way to full throttle. Before the trim tabs my top speed (70 hp Evinrude) was 20 mph. With the trim tabs, my top speed is now 32 mph.

[TrinhTD]

Waterfish, sounds like your is a very unique case with these Tabs.

Been doing a lot of reading on these tabs. Most people gain somewhere between 2-4 mph with the correct setup.

Almost everyone is happy with the tabs.

Looks like I need a set for my boat.

[Catching Nemo]

Well, I picked up a set of ST1290x80 Smart Tabs on Ebay for $100 and installed them a couple of days ago.......

WOW :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :yay: :yay: :yay:!!!

Complete difference in how the boat handles now. Before, I could do a 7 count (0ne one thousand, two one thousand, etc) before I got up on plane and the bow would raise significantly. Now the bow hardly raises and I get on plane in a 2-3 count. I have less of a wake, and when I come off plane, the hull just kinda slowly settles into the water with very little noticeable transition. Before, if I cut the throttle the boat would dig in and a big wall of water would come rushing at the stearn. My top speed is only slightly better - so I think I may need to reduce the tab pressure. The overall ride is much better as well. It almost feels like the whole boat is on an air ride suspension :dance:.

Thanks to all who took the time to provide their advice and experiences with tabs and fins.

:cheers:,
John

http://www.hunt101.com/img/343033.JPG

[Waterfish]

TrinhTD, Yea, my situation was more extreme than most boats. Have you aver seen boats that need tabs so much that they look like they are doing a wheelie? That was my boat! I couldn't even see over the bow it would raise so high before the tabs. So its no wonder that they made such an improvement on my boat.

[Phil Layer]

I recommend you experiment with the adjustments on the trim tabs after you install them. I've had mine on for two years set at the recommended angle. This past weekend, I reduced the angle for the heck of it. I found my boat came up on plane as easily as it did with the more severe angle. But, once on plane, the boat rides much, much smoother with this smaller angle. I don't have the bow pounding I had before.