Smart tabs sx

[H20]

I fitted some of these on good Friday. Haven't used yet as the starter motor has decided to pack up over the winter, another story.....

As I am dry stacked I bought and fitted the retractors too to ensure clearance for the forklift prongs to sit under the hull. Only issue with all this is that I found, once fitted, the smart tabs did not hang down at the specified 25 degrees. I did try test running before drilling the holes but crucially didn't have a whole load of pictures showing exactly what it should look like in profile view. They actually sit higher than the pane of the hull and therefore seem ineffective.

Having trawled google images once I got home I found that that whereas my transom angles in to the bow, the trim tabs are designed for boats where the transom angles out. I emailed nauticus for advice on Saturday and by Monday I had a response that confirmed the solution - I need to cut an insert on the plates to allow them to fall at the hinge. Whilst it does mean a bit of amending I am impressed with the speed of the response and hopefully this may help others.

I'll report back on them once I get on the water.

[JORIDAPILOT]

Good luck Mark, hope you get them sorted.

[jokaboat]

Hi mark, will be interesting to see what effect they have on the water. Have you sorted out the starter?

I thought you stored on the trailer, have you moved or have I lost the plot

[H20]

Hi mark, will be interesting to see what effect they have on the water. Have you sorted out the starter?

I thought you stored on the trailer, have you moved or have I lost the plot

Waiting to hear on starter as being done under warranty.

I am dry berthed (not stacked) at parkstone bay so yes on a trailer but it's part of their set up, they just hook it up on a tractor and then forklift in - the real advantage being I can get to the boat at all times and wash and flushing is easy etc.

[betty boop]

I fitted some of these on good Friday. Haven't used yet as the starter motor has decided to pack up over the winter, another story.....

As I am dry stacked I bought and fitted the retractors too to ensure clearance for the forklift prongs to sit under the hull. Only issue with all this is that I found, once fitted, the smart tabs did not hang down at the specified 25 degrees. I did try test running before drilling the holes but crucially didn't have a whole load of pictures showing exactly what it should look like in profile view. They actually sit higher than the pane of the hull and therefore seem ineffective.

Having trawled google images once I got home I found that that whereas my transom angles in to the bow, the trim tabs are designed for boats where the transom angles out. I emailed nauticus for advice on Saturday and by Monday I had a response that confirmed the solution - I need to cut an insert on the plates to allow them to fall at the hinge. Whilst it does mean a bit of amending I am impressed with the speed of the response and hopefully this may help others.

I'll report back on them once I get on the water.

any chance of seeign their reply, sounds like a similar issue I had but I took them off pending further advise, in my case the angle of the arm was too acute to apply any presure to make it retract at speed - thus affecting the plane and stablility etc etc etc .

[H20]

Betty, I'll post it later. They sent photos a well as a template to get the right angle. Effectively once you have cut the inserts into the plate they will just hang down and you need to then set the right angle with the template, which once you've eliminated the factory set angle by cutting inserts is actually governed by where you attach the top brackets.

You may have already guessed this, but hope it at least makes sense!

[betty boop]

Betty, I'll post it later. They sent photos a well as a template to get the right angle. Effectively once you have cut the inserts into the plate they will just hang down and you need to then set the right angle with the template, which once you've eliminated the factory set angle by cutting inserts is actually governed by where you attach the top brackets.

You may have already guessed this, but hope it at least makes sense!

i think it does, finally got around to emailing them myself as well today - hopefully they have a similar suggestion for a Maxum rounded back end.

[Capn Jack]

Hi Mark

It's good to see you back, good luck with the starter and the tabs.

[H20]

Thanks Capn.

Heres the question and reply from Nauticus:


Hi,

I installed the above today and have noticed that they do not point down, they are pretty much on the same plane as my hull. I believe this is because my transom angles back towards the bow rather than slightly away from it.

I have a Starcraft 190 aurora deck boat. Can you let me know your comments on this and whether you think they will be effective and if there is anything I can do about this.

ANSWER:

Hi Mark,

You are correct on that as the tabs are designed to accommodate the transom that angles to the rear. You are going to need to modify the trim tabs so the it can fall all the way down and then you can set the angle. Take a look at the photos of the modification. Does your hinge have to two mounting holes that the screw goes through to attach the plate or just one?

and here are the photos:





My explanation is fine if the transom angles back into the boat, if it bulges out i dont think the holes need to be cut, I believe the top brackets need to be fixed higher on the transom to create the 25 degree angle. Attachment showing the template to get 25 degree angle.

[salamis]

Hi Mark hope you have been able to get your starter working OK and what is the latest on the trim tabs?
I have been thinking of fitting these to my Sessa as I Know a few others that have fitted these and been very pleased with them. The only problem that makes me a bit conserned is the forklift arms wnen lifting the boat out the water and what happens to the tabs. Would they move if the arm of the forklift was under the tab or break the tab with the weight of the boat on then?

[Gazjen]

They should retract as the fork truck boom lifts the tab and the boat, you can get retractors for them though. They are intended for use when wake boarding of other activities when you need a wake

[betty boop]

Hi Mark hope you have been able to get your starter working OK and what is the latest on the trim tabs?
I have been thinking of fitting these to my Sessa as I Know a few others that have fitted these and been very pleased with them. The only problem that makes me a bit conserned is the forklift arms wnen lifting the boat out the water and what happens to the tabs. Would they move if the arm of the forklift was under the tab or break the tab with the weight of the boat on then?

mine will be up for sale if ur interested- only the bracket is on the hull atm the rest of the set up was used once and dismantled pending review but unfortunately Nauticus told me last week I cant use them.

plan will be to buy a new set swap the arms and sell the new set as opened /un used on ebay -

[markanddawn]

My advice for what it is worth is to fit proper trim tabs, if your boat is of a suitable size. They make the whole boating experience more enjoyable, correcting listing to combat unequal weight distribution, helping to get on the plane etc. My boat already had Bennetts trim tabs fitted, so not sure on cost but guess around a grand but I would definitely fit them to whatever I buy in the future.

[salamis]

I know exactly what you mean Mark as my last boat had Bennet tabs fitted and being able to adjust one side or other to counteract wind and tide or both to go quickly on the plane.
Not too sure about my choises at the moment as just had to give back the four bladed prop I borrowed last year and that pulled the boat up out of the hole beautifully and planed much quicker than the three blader I put back on so might go down this line and not the tabs. If only life was simple!

[Gazjen]

My advice for what it is worth is to fit proper trim tabs, if your boat is of a suitable size. They make the whole boating experience more enjoyable, correcting listing to combat unequal weight distribution, helping to get on the plane etc. My boat already had Bennetts trim tabs fitted, so not sure on cost but guess around a grand but I would definitely fit them to whatever I buy in the future.

I do agree Mark but my current boat has bennett tabs but you have to remember to use them and use them correctly, consequently mine never get used . The little smart tabs are a amazing invention for the money and they are fully automatic and really do work.